MEETINGS 2024 has seen 220 hosted buyers and media from New Zealand, Australia and Singapore arrive in Rotorua, plus a large contingent of domestic day buyers at the central North Island city’s Energy Events Centre. It has brought together a record 205 exhibitors on 246 stands, including 35 first-time exhibitors representing New Zealand’s 18 regions.
- MEETINGS is Aotearoa, New Zealand’s only national tradeshow for the business events industry. It is the leading platform for connecting influential domestic, Australian and international buyers with key regions, meeting facilities, accommodation, off-site venues and activities.
- Now in its 28th year, MEETINGS is owned and managed by Business Events Industry Aotearoa (BEIA).
- Rotorua is the host city for MEETINGS 2024 rotoruanz.com/meetings-and-conferences. Located in the heart of New Zealand’s North Island, Rotorua is renowned for its unique blend of geothermal wonders, Māori culture, and stunning natural beauty.
- MEETINGS continues its carbon-neutral journey with Toitū net carbon-zero certification as a Certified Event Operation. To achieve this certification all emissions associated with the planning and operations will be measured, audited in alignment with strict world-leading criteria.
- In two days at Rotorua’s Energy Events Centre, buyers have pre-scheduled appointments of their choice from a record number of 246 stands representing 205 exhibiting organisations across 18 regions of New Zealand, including 35 first-time exhibitors.
MEETINGS 2024
- 217 hosted buyers and media from New Zealand, Australia, and Singapore are attending. More than 150-day buyers from around New Zealand are also attending.
- Hosted buyers are event managers, professional conference organisers, and anyone looking to plan corporate events, conferences, product launches, incentive experiences, exhibitions, roadshows, and team-building events in Aotearoa, New Zealand.
- MEETINGS 2024 major partners are Air New Zealand, Tourism New Zealand Business Events, RotoruaNZ, Energy Events Centre Rotorua, EventsAIR, Peek Exhibition & Display, and Exhibition Hire.
- Exhibitors include venues, production and event design companies, hotels, regional convention bureaux, caterers, attractions and activities.
- MEETINGS has partnered with Hobbiton™ Movie Set Tours to offer pre- and post-visits, during which buyers will experience the brand-new Bagshot Row™ development.
- Host city Rotorua offered a particular one-day destination family on Tuesday, and hosted buyers attended a stunning Matariki dinner on Wednesday, 19 June, courtesy of RotoruaNZ. It included a fantastic drone show and excellent Māori-themed dining and entertainment.
- After MEETINGS, hosted buyers have been able to apply to join MEETINGS families in the nearby regions of Waikato and Taupō.
- Australian-hosted buyers are invited to Stay on and Discover More with the support of Air New Zealand and regional business events bureaux. They can visit Auckland, Taupō, Rotorua, Waikato, Wellington, and Christchurch.
- The Luxury Collection will showcase eight of New Zealand’s luxury incentive products, venues, and services in an exclusive zone, and champagne will be hosted during the day.
MEETINGS 2024
- Social events are vital to the networking opportunities offered at MEETINGS and are set to showcase Rotorua and New Zealand’s best event and entertainment talent. They include a Welcome Function at the Sir Howard Morrison Centre on 18 June and the MEETINGS Celebration at Skyline Rotorua on 20 June.
- MEETINGS 2023 generated a record $157 million business for New Zealand over the next five years.
- Last year, 97% of hosted buyers said MEETINGS met or exceeded their expectations.
About Business Events Industry Aotearoa (BEIA)
- Business Events Industry Aotearoa (BEIA) is the official membership-based association of New Zealand’s business events sector, with more than 460 members across various sectors.
- BEIA actively promotes the sector for its members and New Zealand, advocating with the central government and offering its members assistance, information, professional development, and honest business opportunities.
- The sector’s impact on New Zealand’s economy includes financial, social, regional investment, and environmental. In 2019 (the last time it was measured), the business events industry was valued at $1.45 billion per annum, with over 3.6 million attendees, both domestic and international, employing 22,000 people.
Edited by Peter Needham in Rotorua, New Zealand
