Note from the publishers... For any enquiries regarding the upcoming features please contact Terry: terry@meetingnewz.co.nz or Paul: paul@meetingnewz.co.nz Contents meeting newz is registered as a magazine and is published by Tourism Media Group Ltd, 4/1 Montrose Terrace, Mairangi Bay, PO Box 65343, Mairangi Bay, Auckland, 0754 Website: www.meetingnewz.co.nz Publisher: Tourism Media Group Ltd. email: info@meetingnewz.co.nz Advertising: Terry Holt Phone: 021 042 8232 email: terry@meetingnewz.co.nz Advertising: Paul Hailes Phone: 021 217 3628 email: paul@meetingnewz.co.nz Regular contributors: Stu Freeman, Anabel Darby, Shannon Williams, Brad Foster, Jane Warwick Design and production: Gary Covich email: studio@meetingnewz.co.nz Printing: Centurion Print ISSN 1172- 5893 (Print) ISSN 2703-1942 (Online) Additional photos by unsplash.com [NOTE F ROM THE PUBL I SHE RS Front cover: Lake Rotoiti. Photo: Paul Michael © Tourism Media Group. All rights reserved November December 2024 • Christchurch & Canterbury • Marlborough • Nelson/Tasman • Australia Next Review • Business Events Expo • Company Profiles • PCOA 24 Preview January February 2025 • Auckland • Napier/Hawke’s Bay • Gisborne • Australia – AIME25 Preview • PCOA 24 Review • Incentive travel & events March April 2025 • Taranaki & New Plymouth • Australia • AIME 25 Review May June 2025 • Northland & Whangarei • Queenstown & Southern Lakes • Australia • MEETINGS 2025 magazine July August 2025 • Central Otago • Dunedin • Northland & Whangarei • Waikato & Hamilton • PACIFIC business events magazine Features Rotorua 10 Whanganui 32 Bay of Plenty 36 Taupō 44 The Business Events Expo 24 Preview 50 Regular Features News 4 People on the Move 27 Social Scene 30 Industry Insights NZEA - Eventing the Future 24 St John Column 28 Chat with Impact – ChristchurchNZ 35 PCOA 49 BEIA Column 58 Best wishes, Paul, Terry and Gary Meeting Newz Magazine features 2024/2025 We’ve all heard the saying about who gets going when the going gets tough. There is no doubt that for many people in the business events sector (and indeed in domestic and inbound tourism generally) a number of headwinds have made this a winter of challenges. A recent report by Horwath HTL noted that domestic demand in general was down by 9% in August 2024 compared to the same period last year. Hotels report a decline in business-related travel, influenced by weak domestic economic conditions and reduced government spending. Moreover, international visitors arriving for business or conference purposes from January to July. While being 4% above last year were still 37% below peak pre-Covid 19 figures. Meantime several government measures (including the increased International Visitor Levy) indicate that some levels of bureaucracy have not noticed that the golden goose has taken on a rusty tinge. On a positive note, the recent NZ Cruise conference (a sector being slammed hard right Features subject to change September October 2025 • Southland & Invercargill • Wellington & Wairarapa • West Coast • Australia • PCOA preview November December 2025 • Rotorua, Tauranga & BOP • Taupo • Whanganui • Australia • Eventing The Future Review now) noted that the difficulties are bringing all the major tourism associations (including BEIA) together in a common lobbying cause. At an individual business level there are also ways to combat the gloom. When the custom is not walking in the door there are opportunities for those who get out, market hard and build on relationships. It is pleasing to note that the Business Events Expo (BEE) set for 19 November is generating strong interest from both suppliers and buyers – proving again that getting face-to-face and working out solutions collectively is key to moving forward positively as an industry. In this issue we bring you a preview of BEE being held at Viaduct Event Centre in Auckland and we have a review of Eventing the Future. We also focus on Rotorua and Bay of Plenty regions and we learn more about Taupo and Whanganui. We keep you informed and connected with the latest industry news, events, social scene and people on the move. You can read about the latest happenings from our key partners BEIA, NZEA, PCOA, St John and ChristchurchNZ Business Events. Put the coffee on and enjoy the read! HEADWINDS PERSIST ~ BUT WE CANDOTHIS [2] meeting newz [september october] 2024
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