New Zealand is embracing its role as a world leader in agri-food-tech with the launch of a new event, the 2035 Oceania Summit in Auckland.

Entries into the 2021 NZ Events Association NZ Event Awards closed in June with an all-time record of 108 entries.

The latest figures released by the Business Events Data Programme* show the Waikato region secured 13% market share of all NZ business events being held in Q1 2021. With 196 business events held in the region during January-March 2021, this placed the Waikato region second in the country behind Wellington at 29% for the number of business events held.

By Stu Freeman

Conference and incentive organisers report that they are currently experiencing their busiest time in memory.

Explore Group has purchased Fullers Great Sights operation in the Bay of Islands as the first part of a wider expansion plan for the business including growth in Auckland and Australia. 

Just two months on from Eden Park’s first concert, New Zealand’s national stadium has been named the number one stadium in the world in Pollstar’s mid-year rankings. 

Entries are open for the New Zealand Tourism Awards, returning for 2021 to showcase and celebrate the tourism industry’s individual and business successes.   

Wellington was recently named as one of 21 Places of the Future in a report by Cognizant.

A taste of Marlborough, including a touch of sunshine to brighten Wellington’s first real wintry day of the year, swept across Cook Strait for a Business Events Showcase Marlborough, at the Michael Fowler Centre on May 12.

It’s a cautious start but trans-Tasman conferences are showing signs of life, at least in terms of enquiries from Australia and website activity, according to delegates at the TRENZ Hui on May 5 and 6 in Christchurch.

An event to prepare the New Zealand tourism industry for the return of international visitors has reached capacity with more than 700 tourism operators registered to attend.  

Christchurch Town Hall was host venue for over 200 business event industry professionals Who gathered on 25 March for ChristchurchNZ Convention Bureau’s inaugural MEET CHRISTCHURCH showcase.

Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre is launching a ‘Taste of Te Pae’ pop-up this month to showcase the venue to prospective clients ahead of the Centre’s proposed opening later this year.

Wellington’s business events industry has reasons to be optimistic as it looks ahead to the next year and beyond.

Japan Convention Bureau, a division within the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) recognises best practice in incentive travel to Japan through the “JAPAN Best Incentive Travel Awards“.

The Women You Can Bank On event is returning for its 5th year and is being held on Thursday 4th March 2021. The theme for 2021 is “Thriving Through Change”.

Auckland has been named best meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) destination in Oceania at the inaugural World MICE Awards 2020.

Hokianga new website to help business event planners who are looking for something new.

Following the completion of an extensive $13 million refurbishment project, Nesuto Stadium Hotel and Apartments, Auckland has reopened. 

Auckland’s move to Alert Level 1 is great news for the business events industry and will give decision-makers confidence across the country, says Conventions and Incentives New Zealand (CINZ) Chief Executive, Lisa Hopkins.
 
Auckland will join the rest of New Zealand in Covid-19 alert level 1 from 11.59pm on Wednesday 7 October.
 
“The announcement by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern dispels all confusion about who can meet and where. We have been given the green light to meet, with the country fully opened up to domestic groups, and Aucklanders again welcome to any region,”she says.
 
“Now is the time to rebuild the industry, and deliver confidence back to organisers who have been holding off planning and booking their events. Our message is it is safe to hold a conference, seminar, workshop, or team recognition event. We want people to understand that business events are the safest type of event that can be held, backed up by the World Health Organisation itself.”
 
CINZ has opened registrations for BE Reconnected, a free industry exhibition and networking day in Auckland on 1 December aimed at the throwing the spotlight on this $5 billion sector and rekindling vital industry relationships.
 
“BE Reconnected will be an essential platform to support the sector now and beyond. It is imperative for the good of the country and for the industry that we now move forward safely, and with assurance,” Lisa Hopkins says.

The NZMA South GP-CME, a large medical conference for General Practitioners was to be held at Vbase’s Horncastle Arena from 13 to 16 August.

Auckland Council’s Governing Body (Mayor and Councillors) has approved the merger of Auckland Tourism, Events & Economic Development (ATEED) and Regional Facilities Auckland (RFA).

Australia and New Zealand were recently named the hosts of the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023.

Waitangi Treaty Grounds opened Tahuaroa Function Centre in February 2020, just before lockdown.

The purpose built, customisable and modern event space has a venue capacity of 190. Tahuaroa, meaning large open space, is located behind Te Rau Aroha museum amongst the native trees of the upper Treaty Grounds.

Mitsubishi Motors required a unique way to recognise and reward top-performing sales and dealership staff from both New Zealand and Australia. So they asked event specialists OneNineFive for “an exceptional automotive experience that had never been done before.”

Park Hyatt Auckland will open on 15 September.

Losing the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum (APEC) 2021 is a devastating blow to New Zealand’s business events sector, already reeling from COVID-19 cancellations.

Conventions and Incentives New Zealand (CINZ) and the Business Events Council of Australia (BECA) have announced a joint agreement which will see both organisations collaborate on issues mutually affecting their markets.

New Zealand’s business events sector has received a boost with confirmation large events with separate groups of 100 can now go ahead.

The world’s largest and most prestigious virtual reality conference will be held in Ōtautahi Christchurch in 2022.