Over 160 business events professionals from across New Zealand and Australia will meet for two days in Taranaki later this month to discuss the industry’s critical issues.

The annual  Business Events Industry Aotearoa (BEIA) Conference and Annual General Meeting will be held from 25 to 27 November at The Devon Hotel, New Plymouth.

New Zealand’s Minister for Tourism and Hospitality, Hon Matt Doocey, will open the event on 26 November, participating in a discussion on stage with BEIA Chief Executive Lisa Hopkins.

Hon Matt Doocey, Minister for Tourism and Hospitality.

“This month’s conference comes at a pivotal time for our sector as a key component of the visitor economy, Hopkins says. “With a strong focus on delivering exceptional experiences and content for all attendees, domestic and international, New Zealand’s reputation as a first-class destination for meeting and doing business is accelerating.”

This year’s conference will focus on the future, driving growth, and seeking opportunities for New Zealand to stand out in an increasingly competitive environment.

“We will be looking ahead to the next decade with the Business Events National Strategic Direction 2035 – Pīata Mai – which sets out steps for measuring and growing the sector’s positive cultural, social, environmental and economic impact for the next 10 years.”

Leading event organisers, together with industry partners Tourism New Zealand and Air New Zealand, will attend the forum to give domestic and international customers perspectives on opportunities for widening industry collaboration and growth.

Discussions are set to cover critical topics, including legacy and impact, diversity, and cultural integration. Building recognition for the value of business events will be a key focus, with media experts joining the forum.

Lisa Hopkins, BEIA Chief Executive.

Brad Olsen, Principal Economist at Infometrics, Maretha Smit, CEO of Diversity Works, and Professor Carmel Foley, an internationally recognised business events researcher from the University of Technology Sydney, will share their insights. Kari Scrimshaw, CEO of the Workforce Development Council division Ringa Hora, will share work on vocational development and training for the business events sector.

“It’s time to shift the conversation and focus on how, as a sector, we prepare for the next decade of growth and ensure the industry is equipped with the right tools and support to navigate this period,” Hopkins says.

The business events sector was worth NZ$403M to the country in 2023 and is rising.

Business event attendees are New Zealand’s fourth largest market by visitor spending, with an average daily spending of NZ$426 compared to NZ$304 for holidaymakers.

International conferences provide a major boost to the regional economy and increase off-peak visitation. They also give locals an opportunity to participate in world-class events, share knowledge with industry leaders, and promote their products and services to national and international markets.

Registrations for the BEIA 2024 Conference in Taranaki can be made online here.

Edited by Peter Needham in Auckland, New Zealand

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