Meeting Newz January / February 2021

[ I NDUSTRY NEWS CONFERENCE & EVENTS Edgewater Wanaka offers an inspiring location for meetings, cocktail & dinner functions, product launches and trade shows. A full service, four star plus Qualmark hotel, Edgewater provides your total meeting, catering and accommodation requirements. by the water’s edge +64 3 443 0017 events@edgewater.co.nz www.edgewater.co.nz L AKE WANAK A | NEW ZE A L AND New Zealand’s MEETINGS 2021 is confirmed for 2 and 3 June in Auckland, with its Hosted Buyer Programme launching soon. Organised by Business Events Industry Aotearoa (BEIA), MEETINGS has always been a much-anticipated date on the business events calendar. BEIA chief executive, Lisa Hopkins says this year’s event will be critical for reigniting the industry and updating buyers on the latest venues and unique experiences across the country. MEETINGS is known as is a must-attend trade exhibition and networking event for all conference, meeting and incentive organisers booking business in New Zealand. In 2020, for the first time in 25 years, it was cancelled due to COVID. “Our industry has continued to stage a large number of successful business events in New Zealand since restrictions lifted, bringing a huge level of confidence back into the industry. Now we are setting our sights on the return of international business events to destinations around the country, with the positive economic and social benefits they bring,” she says. “MEETINGS 2021 will be the pinnacle of all Meetings Expo Floor our efforts, connecting hundreds of highly- qualified business event organisers with New Zealand’s leading suppliers and regions. We can’t wait to share our manaakitanga (warm hospitality) with industry leaders.” For the first time, in 2021 all MEETINGS’ Hosted Buyers will have the opportunity to experience more of New Zealand with eight regions on offer for MEETINGS’ pre- and post-familiarisation programme. “As well, our Hosted Buyer programme includes a carefully curated pre-scheduled appointments diary, access to exclusive networking events, complimentary flights and accommodation. “We will have as many buyers as possible in person, but we will also have opportunity for the rest of the world to connect with exhibitors in a digital format. Business events are years in the planning, so we must continue to keep our future visitors engaged and focused on bringing their event to New Zealand,” Hopkins says. MEETINGS 2021 will be held at ASB Showgrounds Auckland on Wednesday 2 and Thursday 3 June. The following year, in mid-2022, MEETINGS will be hosted in Ōtautahi Christchurch at the city’s new convention centre, Te Pae Christchurch. Auckland is set to host the International Association of Women in Police (IAWP) conference for the first time in 2023 and will also host the top female scientists and engineers after securing the International Conference of Women Engineers and Scientists (ICWES) in the same year. The Australasian Council of Women and Policing Inc. (ACWAP) and the New Zealand Police (NZP) have joined forces to bring the five-day conference to Auckland. The event is set to attract more than 600 senior police, researchers and policy makers from around the world – all dedicated to strengthening the profile and inclusion of women in the police. Auckland Convention Bureau (ACB) worked alongside New Zealand Police and representatives from Australasia to secure the world-class conference for the region. Worth an estimated $1.3m to the local economy, the conference offers a vital boost for the region’s visitor economy. The five-day ICWES conference is expected to attract more than 450 delegates from across the world to discuss the importance of diversity and growth of women within the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). The conference will deliver a $881,000 economic contribution to Auckland and almost 2,600 visitor nights to support the region’s accommodation sector and It will be the first time the flagship event has been held in New Zealand in its 56- year history. MEETINGS 2021 confirmed Two first time business event wins for Auckland [4] meeting newz [january february] 2021