BEIA’s Lisa Hopkins: ready with a comprehensive briefing document for the new government. Photo Credit: BEIA
New Zealand's business events industry is calling on the new
government for an “all-of-government” recognition for the sector.
Business Events Industry Aotearoa (BEIA) chief executive, Lisa Hopkins
said the industry straddles a broad variety of ministerial portfolios:
“New Zealand's business events industry impacts not just tourism, but
diverse industries and government departments. Our sector has immense
potential to influence New Zealand's economic and social indicators, and
our global reputation as an exceptional world-class destination.”
“We want to work with government to support the sector, enabling it
to increase its reach and potential, but, most importantly, realise the
positive impact the sector plays in delivering outcomes for New Zealand
and New Zealanders.
“We have a comprehensive briefing document for the incoming Ministers
and we welcome Matt Doocey as the new minister for Tourism and
Hospitality, along with Melissa Lee - Economic Development minister,
Todd McClay – trade minister, and Erica Stanford – Immigration minister.
Keen to engage
BEIA will proactively engage with ministers and their policy advisors
including Trade, Immigration, Foreign Affairs, Health, and Economic
Development. Within the tourism fraternity, the association provides an
opportunity and a reason to visit New Zealand as part of the visitor
economy, providing a welcome counter cycle of seasonality to leisure
tourism. The sector significantly contributes to other industries,
namely hospitality, retail, and transportation, said Hopkins.
BEIA is calling for sustainable funding through application of a
visitor levy for distribution across the visitor economy, including
business events.
New requests
“New investment is also needed to secure international conferences
for New Zealand. As the world's last developed nation to unveil a range
of state-of-the-art, eco-friendly centres, we are setting the benchmark
for others, but we are playing on a global stage which requires support.
The returns, however, are significant.”
“There is also an urgent need for minister Doocey to step in and
provide direction and support to the TDLG (Tourism Data Leadership
Group), to ensure our industry is measured accurately to reflect its
value.
The association will work with Immigration to streamline access to New Zealand for attendees from non-visa waivered countries.
Impact of business events
BEIA is the official membership-based association of New Zealand's
business events sector. It has more than 460 members across a broad
range of industries.
New Zealand's leading annual business events exhibition, BEIA
MEETINGS broke records this year for the value of business it generated.
BEIA'S post-MEETINGS buyer survey shows NZ$157 million (US$95 million)
will be placed over the next five years with a two-day event in
Wellington this June.