Tourism New Zealand's Leonie Ashford recognised with BEIA Award

Business Events Industry Aotearoa (BEIA) has presented their ‘Outstanding Contributor Award’ for 2024 to Tourism New Zealand's Leonie Ashford at the 48th BEIA Conference.

BEIA Chief Executive Lisa Hopkins says each year one worthy recipient is chosen to be celebrated by the industry and noted “this year we are acknowledging and thanking Leonie, who has been a driving force in our industry over the past 12 years in her role as Business Events Manager at Tourism New Zealand.

“Leonie's experience, energy and commitment to the business events industry have been instrumental in putting New Zealand on the map for large international conference business.

“To cap her achievements, Leonie has recently been appointed as the Asia Pacific Board Member for ICCA (International Congress and Convention Association) representing New Zealand on the world stage.”

The BEIA Outstanding Contributor Awards were presented with thanks to long-standing supporters David Hall, and Hunter's Wines.

BEIA's 2024 Mentor Programme sponsored by the New Zealand International Convention Centre (NZICC) concluded at the Conference, where 19 mentees and their mentors came together to celebrate their achievements over the past eight months.

Auckland to host 2025 BEIA Conference and inaugural Business Events Awards

Next year New Zealand will celebrate its first national Business Events Industry Awards, with a biennial event to be held in conjunction with BEIA's 49th conference in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland. BEIA Conference and AGM will take place on 26th and 27th November, with the Awards to be presented at a gala dinner on 26th November 2025.

The National Business Events Awards 2025 will be open to everyone in the industry and recognise and reward outstanding achievements in the industry and promote excellence and innovation, collaboration and congeniality across the sector.

Hopkins enthused "we are excited to be conferencing in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland next year, at a pivotal time for New Zealand's business events industry as we complete our trio of world-class conference venues with the opening of NZICC.

“As an industry, we are moving ahead to raise the profile of the sector, strengthen our voice, highlight contribution and value, and reinforce the diversity of the sector and its contributors. Anyone who works in the sector is invited to be part of the Awards, they do not need to be affiliated with any association membership to be nominated.”