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Industry Issues

The Conference Company unveils new brand

 

The Conference Company (TCC) has marked its first anniversary as part of the Uno Loco Group (ULG) with the launch of a new brand and website, signalling the next chapter in its evolution asone of Australasia’s leading Professional Conference Organisers.

HeadBox launches in New Zealand

 

HeadBox has expanded its AI-powered event platform and expert management services to New Zealand, launching in Auckland on 4 May with more than 120 Auckland listings already supported by its experienced Australian team.

Rethinking event energy: NRG Event Batteries cuts diesel from destination events

NRG Event Batteries has launched New Zealand’s first event-specific battery power system, developed out of a drive to reduce carbon emissions from event delivery and inspired by involvement in Electrify Queenstown.

Make it Monaco – Principality reinforces message to NZ market

Major investment in infrastructure, sustainability and high-impact experiences are all adding to Monaco’s ongoing appeal to business event organisers and delegates.

Business events deliver big for NZ economy, new research shows

Research released today at the newly opened New Zealand International Convention Centre (NZICC) highlights the significant contribution that multi-day conferences and business events make to New Zealand.

The new RISE Hospitality & Tourism Scholarship Programme

 

Pro-invest Group and Auckland University of Technology Foundation (AUT Foundation) have launched RISE Hospitality & Tourism Scholarship.

Air New Zealand celebrates 75 years of Wellington–Sydney flights

 

For Air New Zealand it has been 75 years since its first flight between Wellington and Sydney.

The Event Agency launches Toolbox

 

The Events Agency has launched The Ultimate Event Pro Toolbox. A  curated kit packed with checklists, templates, vendor tips, and pro hacks to make planning smoother and results stronger for events.

Government $70million package for events & tourism

 

The New Zealand Events Association (NZEA) welcomes the government announcement of a new $70 million events and tourism investment package.

SITE ANZ Delivers Its Biggest and Boldest Conference Yet

 

The incentive travel industry united in unprecedented numbers for Incentivise Live 2025, the largest conference in SITE Australia & New Zealand’s history.

NZ Business Events industry in spotlight

 

Registrations are now open for this year's Business Events Industry Aotearoa (BEIA) 2025 Conference set for Cordis Auckland on 26 and 27 November.

Conference Innovators open Wellington office

Conference Innovators to re-establishment of an office in central Wellington.

The Value of Incentive Travel

 

Meeting Newz Magazine talks about the Insights from the Society for Incentive Travel, Australia and New Zealand (SITE ANZ) Roundtable Event.

Canterbury, launches ambitious Aerospace Strategy

The Canterbury region of New Zealand's South Island is cementing its position as a globally recognised centre of aerospace innovation, with the launch of the Waitaha Canterbury Aerospace Strategy.

ChristchurchNZ Business Events launches new campaign

‘Be Everything, Be Here’ is the new marketing campaign for ChristchurchNZ Business Events, highlighting the city’s reputation as a world-class destination for conferences, corporate events and incentive experiences.

IACC’s 2025 report - the future of event planning

IACC’s 2025 Meeting Room of the Future report examines shifts in experience-led event planning, technology, and venue selection as report celebrates its tenth anniversary.

 

New Government investment to boost New Zealand business events

 

An additional $3 million investment by the Government to attract international business events to New Zealand has been welcomed by Business Events Industry Aotearoa (BEIA) as a strong signal of long-term commitment to the sector and the contribution it makes in driving tourism and export growth.

NZ Government recognises huge benefits from medical conferences

 

Business Events Industry Aotearoa (BEIA) is applauding the Government's move to eliminate a barrier to New Zealand hosting international medical conferences.
 
Trade show exhibitors will soon be allowed to showcase new products and research to medical practitioners in New Zealand following a Government announcement today (29 April).
 
In a joint statement, Hon David Seymour, Minister for Regulation, Hon Simeon Brown, Minister of Health, and Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston announced New Zealand laws will be reformed so medicines yet to be consented by Medsafe can be advertised at medical conferences in New Zealand.
 
Outdated regulations that hinder trained medical professionals from learning about new medicines through trade show advertising are out of step with other countries' laws and put New Zealanders at a disadvantage, Regulation Minister David Seymour and Health Minister Simeon Brown said.
 
“New Zealand's prohibition on advertising medicines yet to be consented by Medsafe is a barrier to New Zealand's ability to host medical conferences and trade shows. The opportunity cost of New Zealand missing out on these is huge,” Mr Seymour said.
 
Business Events Industry Aotearoa (BEIA) has been advocating for a change to Section 20 of the Medicines Act 1981 for many years and BEIA Chief Executive Lisa Hopkins says today's announcement means medical conference organisers from around the world can now plan ahead with confidence.
 
“The global business events industry is worth USD 2.1 trillion, and the medical and pharmaceutical sector is the second largest user of conferences to connect, educate, and inform professionals,” she says.
 
“By finally removing this barrier, New Zealand can now proactively approach those medical associations who in the past have taken New Zealand off their list because of this prohibition.
 
“BEIA has not been alone in fighting for this change. We are grateful for the tremendous support from Medicines NZ, who worked closely with BEIA on this issue and have also been ardent campaigners, as well as for the support of Business NZ. This helped convince the government to recognise the value of medical conferences and is a great example of multiple associations working together for a mutually beneficial outcome,” Hopkins says.
 
BEIA has also collaborated with Tourism New Zealand and MBIE on the Business Events Boost and with Immigration NZ on the visa process for delegates attending conferences in New Zealand.
 
"Conferences provide access to knowledge and innovation, offering insights that can be directly applied to benefit society. This is just one of the many ways the business events sector delivers value beyond economic and tourism contributions.
 
“Today's announcement represents another big step forward for our industry.”

TIA ‘Women in Tourism Career Accelerator’ scholarships

 

 

Tourism Industry Aotearoa (TIA) has announced the names of the three TIA-funded scholarships to take part in the ‘Women in Tourism Career Accelerator’ programme with Grow Tourism and Powrsuit.

New Zealand to attract associations in Asia

New Zealand is embarking on a roadshow of events in Asia to build awareness of New Zealand’s enhanced conference capability amongst association event organisers.

New Director for Conference Innovators

Conference Innovators (CI), one of New Zealand’s leading professional conference organisers, have announced an exciting leadership development. Terri Lowsley joins Tracey Thomas and Rachel Cook as a new shareholder and Company Director.

New partnership for BE industry

ICCA and AIME form new partnership

NZ business events industry welcomes Government boost

New funding to attract international business events is excellent news for the sector and for the country, Business Events Industry Aotearoa (BEIA) says.

New Industry Report on Global Event Trends

EventsAir has released a comprehensive industry report analyzing the latest trends, challenges, and opportunities shaping the events sector worldwide.

ANZ Academy for world-leading convention centre education

The International Association of Convention Centres (AIPC) and Australian Business Events Association (ABEA) have officially announced their partnership to deliver tailor-made leadership training program for convention centres from June 2025.

Inaugural hotel survey to help sustainability

The first ever comprehensive survey of hotel sector power usage in New Zealand by Hotel Council Aotearoa (HCA) has revealed new data on energy usage, water usage and recycling.

Te Pae Christchurch wins HRNZ sustainability award

 

Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre has garnered more recognition for its sustainability focus, winning The Building Sustainability through People Award at the 2025 NZ HR Awards.

Hospitality’s Human Touch

Hospitality’s Human Touch: Why Kiwis Prefer People Over Tech at the Table

BE Industry welcomes NZICC opening

 

Business Events Industry Aotearoa (BEIA) is welcoming news of the confirmed February 2026 opening of the New Zealand International Convention Centre (NZICC).

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Top 5 for Fortis Travel & Events

Fortis Travel & Events placed 5th in this year’s Deloitte Fast 50 Index, achieving 447% growth over the last three years.

Sustainable Events: Recognising Suppliers Leading the Way

Sustainability is no longer an optional extra for the events industry—it’s a core expectation says the New Zealand Events Association.

Auckland aligns city priorities through business events

Auckland is connecting its economic development and convention bureau expertise following a successful forum aimed at supercharging Auckland’s business events sector. 

Changes on the way for Travel to New Zealand

Emerging technologies and changing visitor demographics will likely change how people plan, book and engage on their travel in coming years, Tourism Industry Aotearoa (TIA) says.



Positive momentum in NZ events industry

New Zealand Event organisers are doing more and spending more on events in 2024. 

Space Cities Network launches global collaboration

Four space-focused cities from across the globe have come together to form an international network focused on the growth of aeronautics, space, and astronomy.

Direct flights from Australia to Hamilton and Dunedin ‘huge’ for business events

Australian event organisers can look forward to an exciting new era of connection with New Zealand following Jetstar’s recent announcement that is launching direct flights to Hamilton from Sydney and the Gold Coast, and to Dunedin from the Gold Coast, in June next year.  

New Zealand celebrates conference champions

The New Zealand Business Events Awards 2024 have celebrated 40 industry leaders and academics who have won international conferences worth $48.7m for New Zealand. 

New Zealand upskills Asia Pacific business events sector

New Zealand has boosted the professional development of business events by hosting Australasia's first in-person ICCASkills Training Programme. 

Meeting & Events Australia Mentor Program Open

Meetings & Events Australia (MEA) has advised that its second 2024 opportunity of one-on-one professional coaching for members via the mentor programme is now OPEN for enrolment.

Callaway: Work needed on Oz inbound

Challenges around the inbound tourism market from Australia were highlighted at the Tourism Export Council (TECNZ) conference in Invercargill last week.

Industry leaders gather to discuss sustainable tourism growth

More than 90 tourism leaders from across New Zealand are gathering in Rotorua this week to attend the Te Ūnga Mai wānanga (learning forum) which combines thought-leadership with practical, on-the-ground examples to enable regional tourism organisations (RTOs) to advance the priorities in the 29 Destination Management Plans.

Sprintr launches recyclable registration kiosk

Sprintr has launched a new event offering, EcoKiosk, a sustainable, light weight, modular designed kiosk option for delegate registrations, to support the events industry in reducing its carbon footprint.

New industry education registrations strong

Tourism Industry Aotearoa has announced that 120 users have signed up to the industry’s new education programme, Akiaki, in just two days.

Soundcheck Podcast

The latest Soundcheck podcast episode from H3 Group with Fresh Information Limited (Fresh Info) is available now. 

HCA and TIA partner to strengthen the hotel industry

Tourism Industry Aotearoa (TIA) and Hotel Council Aotearoa (HCA) are pleased to announce a partnership to further strengthen hotel sector advocacy and representation in New Zealand.

Recycling in action for business events

Furniture utilising 100% recycled plastic will be showcased at MEETINGS 2024 by Exhibition Hire Services.

New Zealand targets Asia Pac association market

New Zealand is actively pursuing association conference business in the Asia Pacific region on an educational and networking mission through Singapore, Seoul and Kuala Lumpur. 

Proposed Tourism funding cuts for Hawke's Bay

Proposed funding cuts to Hawke’s Bay Tourism will have a catastrophic effect on the region’s economy, with more than $250 million likely to disappear from local businesses, if the cuts go ahead.

New Zealand launches new Delegate Marketing Hub

Tourism New Zealand has launched a new Delegate Marketing Hub featuring more than 150 assets to help conference and event organisers promote their upcoming event in New Zealand.

BE Mentored launches its 11th year

Business Events Industry Aotearoa is launching its 11th annual BE Mentored programme.

Talking incentive travel and business events

Meeting Newz Magazine caught up with Marissa Fernandez, Destination Marketing Services (DMS), to talk about the upcoming DMS Connect events being held in Auckland, Melbourne and Sydney mid-March.

Tourism Summit to be held in Auckland

Tourism Industry Aotearoa Summit will be held Auckland.

ChristchurchNZ launches The Conference Legacy Project

ChristchurchNZ new legacy project is designed to evaluate the legacy impacts of business events on Christchurch and the broader New Zealand landscape.