BEIA spearheads inaugural Business Events Week for New Zealand

Spearheaded by peak industry body Business Events Industry Aotearoa (BEIA) and supported by Tourism New Zealand Business Events, the inaugural Business Events Week will run from 18th to 22nd September 2023 with the forum focussing on future growth.

It will start in Marlborough, incorporating BEIA's annual conference, before moving on to Wellington for a policy forum, and Auckland for the Tourism New Zealand Business Events National Awards, and workshop events.

International speakers, local experts and sector leaders will join with members of the wider business events industry to present, discuss, and plan strategies for growth and ensure there is a greater understanding of the role business events can play in New Zealand in the future.

BEIA Chief Executive, Lisa Hopkins says for the first time the industry's two-day annual conference will be integrated into an expanded event looking at opportunities for this high-value sector.

Pre-COVID, Business Events was an industry worth $1.48 billion to New Zealand's economy, supporting 8,200 jobs. Now, as the industry recovers strongly, Tourism New Zealand's Business Events team will target its highest ever number of international conference bids in the 2024 financial year.

Hopkins notes “our business events industry has come of age with investment in world-class infrastructure and the opening of two new convention centres in Christchurch and Wellington, and the soon to open New Zealand International Convention Centre in Auckland.

“Together we are working to ensure New Zealand is recognised on the international stage as a destination for business events that contribute across the four capitals: nature, culture, social and economy.

“Collectively under one strong New Zealand banner, the Business Events Week platform gives us a huge opportunity to exchange experiences and share the latest global thinking with the industry, developing ideas that can help set our destination apart.”

Tourism New Zealand's General Manager NZ & Business Events, Bjoern Spreitzer, adds “Business events are an important part of how we deliver on our strategy to encourage high quality visitors to Aotearoa New Zealand. Business Events deliver knowledge, business and economic benefits and positive social legacies. Business Events Week will be a great opportunity to recognise the sector's successes and build on them for future sustainable growth.”

For more information on holding a business event in New Zealand, visit businessevents.newzealand.com