MEETINGS 24 brought together tourism, hospitality, and event association leaders in Rotorua

Business Events Industry Aotearoa Chief Executive noted that MEETINGS 24 held in Rotorua last week, offered an opportunity for counterparts from other associations to come together to engage in meaningful discussions.

 Leaders from 11 New Zealand tourism, hospitality, and event associations gathered in Rotorua for a face-to-face meeting to discuss industry issues and priorities.

The Backpacker Youth and Adventure Tourism Association (BYATA), Regional Tourism New Zealand (RTNZ), the Board of Airline Representatives of New Zealand (BARNZ), Hotel Council Aotearoa (HCA); Hospitality New Zealand (HNZ); the New Zealand Airports Association (NZAA), the New Zealand Cruise Association (NZCA), Tourism Export Coun-cil New Zealand (TECNZ), the New Zealand Event Association (NZEA); Business Events Industry Aotearoa (BEIA), and Tourism Industry Aotearoa (TIA) all came together at MEETINGS on 19th June.

Hopkins added “It was also a great opportunity for the sector leaders to experience MEETINGS itself, and to feel the manaakitanga of the destination with such a warm welcome in Rotorua.

“It's important our members understand there is collaboration, conversation and discus-sion across the associations on issues which matter to us all. Together we offer a singu-lar, aligned voice to communicate our joint priorities.”

More than 1,200 people attended the two day event at Rotorua's Energy Events Centre. Exhibitors from across 16 regions of New Zealand record 246 stands including 35 first-time exhibitors showcased their business events' products to over 400 buyers from New Zealand, Australia, South East Asia, Hong Kong and North America.  

Image New Zealand Association Leadership meeting at MEETINGS 2024: (Back from left) Chris Sperring, Backpacker Youth and Adventure Tourism Association (BYATA); David Perks, Regional Tourism New Zealand (RTNZ); Cath O'Brien, Board of Airline Representatives of New Zealand (BARNZ); James Doolan, Hotel Council Aotearoa (HCA); Sam McKinnon, Hospitality New Zealand (HNZ); Billie Moore, New Zealand Air-ports Association (NZAA)
(Front from left) Jacqui Lloyd, New Zealand Cruise Association (NZCA); Lynda Keene, Tourism Export Council New Zealand (TECNZ); Elaine Linnell, New Zealand Event Association (NZEA); Lisa Hopkins Business Events Industry Aotearoa (BEIA); Greg Thomas, Tourism Industry Aotearoa (TIA).