The recently-launched Pīata Mai serves as a national statement of strategic direction for New Zealand’s business events sector. Photo Credit: Adobe Stock/Joshua
New Zealand's business events sector has united in a collaborative
effort to launch Pīata Mai, a national statement of strategic direction
outlining a focused vision for the industry over the next decade.
Guided by an industry stakeholder group, Pīata Mai – which means “to
shine bright” – is under the stewardship of Business Events Industry
Aotearoa (BEIA), and aims to amplify the sector's positive impact on
culture, society, the environment, and the economy through to 2035.
Martin Snedden, chair of the BEIA, says that Pīata Mai symbolises the
New Zealand business events sector’s readiness to commit to resilience
and sustainability, and excel domestically and globally.
“It illuminates the critical role and contributions of business
events to communities throughout New Zealand, which have also been
bolstered by some of the world's most modern purpose-built
infrastructure,” he said.
“Pīata Mai not only guides BEIA in its pivotal role as guardian of
the statement, but also serves as a roadmap for industry businesses to
identify impactful opportunities and foster alignment."
Storytelling priority to long-term goals
Lisa
Hopkins, BEIA chief executive, says Pīata Mai aligns with the broader
goals of Tourism 2050, a vision set out by Tourism Industry Aotearoa in
2023. Currently, the strategy’s 10-year goals and immediate objectives
include commissioning credible domestic and international spend data,
asking the sector to take measurable actions to reduce its environmental
impact by 95%, and supporting the development of an enduring and
equitable funding system for the visitor economy.
"With increased international and domestic conferences anticipated,
it's timely to emphasise our strategic position and collaborate with our
whanau in tourism and hospitality," she said.
“This is about the business events sector taking leadership and
ownership of its future while at the same time recognising its
contribution as an economic and social driver; Pīata Mai lays the
groundwork for any organisation within the business events network to
embark on a strategic journey aligned with this vision.”