New Zealand tourism, event and venue industry to share knowledge and hospitality at PCOA24

Representatives from across New Zealand’s event, tourism and venue industries will be out in force, sponsoring speakers and exhibition hospitality at this year's Professional Conference Organisers' Association (PCOA) Conference and Exhibition at The Star in Brisbane which opens on 1st December.  

With a new custom-build design and six booths (#15-20), Tourism New Zealand's 100% Pure New Zealand stand at PCOA24 will feature representation from 18 New Zealand destinations and operators.

This includes Tourism New Zealand, Business Events Industry Aotearoa (BEIA) and Air New Zealand, plus New Zealand's key regions and hotel groups and all three of New Zealand's new convention centres - NZICC Auckland (to open in 2025), Te Pae Christchurch and Tākina Wellington.

Tourism New Zealand Global Manager Business Events, Penelope Ryan will be a key panellist at the session 'The Importance of Business Events: Enhancing Collaboration and Impact'.' She will be joined on a panel by key Australian leaders: Robin Mack, Executive General Manager for Business Events Australia at Tourism Australia, and Anthony Ryan, Chief Executive of Brisbane Economic Development Agency (BEDA).

Ryan notes “this is an excellent opportunity to highlight how Tourism New Zealand partners with PCOs and associations to grow and enhance business events, focusing on how collaboration within New Zealand amplifies support to host impactful business events in New Zealand.”

Lauren Parsons, New Zealand's Keynote Speaker of the year 2023/24, will also speak at the event, thanks to sponsorship from Tourism New Zealand and Air New Zealand. Her keynote 'Accelerating Connection, Energy & Engagement' will outline engaging ways to foster connection at events for both introverts and extroverts. She will also lead a transformative workshop, 'How to thrive: Five keys to feeling vibrant, confident and energised' at 11.30am on Tuesday 3 December, providing expertise on cultivating a positive, energised team.

Delegates visiting the 100% Pure New Zealand stand throughout PCOA24 can go in the draw to win an interactive virtual workshop with Lauren Parsons, plus one of 20 copies of her 'Thriving Leaders, Thriving Teams' book.

The New Zealand stand hospitality will continue the wellbeing theme with No Ugly wellness tonics on hand to calm, rehydrate and focus, and refreshments focusing on the best of New Zealand produce.

BEIA Australia Manager, Sharon Auld says this year PCOA signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Business Events Industry Aotearoa (BEIA) to enhance the business events industry across Australia and New Zealand and enthused “this is an exciting time for sharing our knowledge, expertise and our manaakitanga (hospitality) with our Australian hosts."

Delegates visiting the New Zealand stand at PCOA24 can also register their interest in attending MEETINGS 2025 in Auckland next June.

The 100% Pure New Zealand stand members at PCOA24 are:

• Air New Zealand

• Auckland Convention Bureau

• Auckland Conventions, Venues & Events

• Business Events Industry Aotearoa

• Business Events Wellington

• ChristchurchNZ

• Cordis Auckland

• H3 Claudelands

• Millennium Hotels & Resorts

• New Zealand International Convention Centre (NZICC)

• Pullman Auckland

• RealNZ

• RotoruaNZ

• Scenic Hotel Group

• Sofitel Auckland & Wellington

• Tākina Wellington Convention Centre

• Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre

• Tourism New Zealand

The PCO Association (PCOA) has announced that the highly anticipated PCOA24 exhibition has been completely sold out. This achievement underscores the strong interest and support from industry stakeholders and reflects the reputation and credibility of the annual PCOA events.

Due to overwhelming demand, they are now accepting Expressions of Interest (EOI) for the exhibition booth waitlist.

For detailed information about PCOA24, including exhibition booth waitlist registration and sponsorship opportunities, please visit  https://www.pcoaconference.com.au/

Image top. Tākina Wellington Convention Centre. Credit: Wellington Council; Image below: PCOA24 Brisbane