Delegates can also expect an afternoon itinerary exploring Hawke’s Bay, a First Timers Welcome event, and gala dinner on the last day. Photo Credit: Napier Art Deco Centre
The 45th Business Events Industry Aotearoa (BEIA) Conference 2021 is back this October, ahead of New Zealand's careful reopening plans to welcome international travellers from low-risk countries from 1Q 2022, sans quarantine.
After keeping its borders firmly shut for 18 months since the pandemic broke, the local business events community is raring to step into the future, with the annual conference themed ‘BEing Brave, Bold and Ready’.
Happening from 11-13 October at the Napier War Memorial Centre in Hawke’s Bay, BEIA Chief Executive Lisa Hopkins noted that the event will revolve around the future of business events, examining the threats and opportunities from Covid, the domestic market and looking ahead to international opportunities.
“Our speakers and workshops will focus on understanding the future, gaining industry intelligence, and forecasting. One of the characteristics of this conference is audience involvement. Our exceptional speakers are there to generate discussion. While they develop some of the framework, there will be plenty of audience participation.
“Time for networking is also top of mind for members, who are ready to reconnect with industry colleagues, meet new members from across New Zealand, and importantly share their issues and ideas. We have ensured there is plenty of time to enjoy the company and the unique setting.”
Speakers will include New Zealand’s Minister of Tourism Hon Stuart Nash; New Zealand economist, Tony Alexander; clinical psychologist Jacqui Macguire; and technology and broadcasting guru Sir Ian Taylor.
Oscar Cerezales of MCI Group and sponsored by Tourism New Zealand, will lead discussions on scenario planning for the new normal.
Another key aspect of MICE making a return at BEIA Conference 2021: an afternoon out at about Hawke’s Bay for delegates.
"With [the venue's] sun, sand and surf outside, we want to make sure that not only is this conference full of great content, that you also get to experience many of the things which makes this region so famous, including its food and wine culture," said Hopkins.
There'll also be a First Timers Welcome event on Monday afternoon, giving new members an afternoon getting to know industry colleagues before the BEIA Welcome Function on 11 October at the Old Church Napier.
In what feels like a real step back to normal, the event will round off with a gala dinner on 13 October at the Hawke's Bay Arts and Event Centre.
Registration is now open here.
Following a six-month streak of zero Covid-19 cases, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced a nationwide lockdown on 17 August after discovering one new community case in Auckland.
The lockdown will last one week in Auckland, but three days elsewhere. Officials have also warned that the presence of the Delta variant would incur a "short, sharp lockdown".