Business events in Queenstown: creating new memories and lasting impressions. Photo Credit: BEIA
New Zealand is confident its superior status as an incentive
destination will also be able to draw in larger conferences and
exhibitions. With two brand new purpose-built convention centres in
Christchurch and Wellington, and another in Auckland in 2025, the
country is offering more for larger events. This, combined with its
diverse offering for smaller events, has enabled Tourism New Zealand to
increase its targets to bid for 90 international conferences in FY24.
This follows a successful FY23 of 84 bids worth NZ$120 million (US$74
million), it said.
Tourism New Zealand chief executive, René de Monchy said the
business events industry globally is now in full recovery mode and
there are good opportunities to attract high quality events to New
Zealand that will benefit its economy, society, culture, and
environment.
He said: “In FY24 Tourism New Zealand will work hard to support New
Zealand’s business events sector to attract business that will also grow
knowledge and collaboration across many of society’s important subjects
and industries. This target is reflective of the recovery of the
business events sector and our aspiration for success in this market,
which is New Zealand’s fourth most valuable.”
De Monchy announced this at the recent Business Events Industry
Aotearoa (BEIA) event, MEETINGS 2023, which was held in Wellington
comprising meetings, networking functions and knowledge sessions, and
connecting 224 exhibitors with over 400 buyers from Australia, New
Zealand, Singapore, and North America.
Delegates also heard industry briefings from Tourism New Zealand
Business Events, Immigration New Zealand, Air New Zealand, Business
Events Wellington and BEIA.
US hosted buyer, Ashley Lawson, VP and co-owner of Achieve Incentives
and Meetings, said New Zealand’s direct air connections from North
America make the destination appealing and accessible. She said: “The
critical decision point for choosing an incentive destination is
hospitality, we want the absolute best. New Zealand has a true
competitive advantage. We know our clients will be embraced by
hospitality and immersed in Māori culture.
“With remote working becoming so prevalent now, it’s more important
than ever for teams to get together to create new memories and lasting
impressions. Organisations want to leverage bucket list destinations
like New Zealand to reward their staff for achievements and to bring
them together face to face,” Lawson says.
Business Events Industry Aotearoa (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.