MEETINGS 2023 confirms more than 230 hosted buyers
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The two-day MEETINGS tradeshow, organised by Business Events Industry Aotearoa (BEIA) for the business events community, has secured more than 230 leading business event organisers from Australia, North America, Singapore and New Zealand in attendance.
To be held at the new Tākina – Wellington Convention and Exhibition Centre on June 21 and 22, the event will comprise exhibition, educational and networking components.
BEIA chief executive, Lisa Hopkins said the response to the MEETINGS 2023 programme has been phenomenal.
“Now, more than ever, it is important to bring buyers to New Zealand to educate them on our destination and show them our country is back open and ready for their business,” she said.
“BEIA has been working with Tourism New Zealand, Business Events Wellington, and Air New Zealand to target key decision-makers. We have filled all our available hosted buyer spots in record time and day buyer registration is now open with chances for domestic event organisers to win travel to Wellington for MEETINGS.”
Tourism New Zealand will be hosting eight high-end senior incentive and meetings planners from North America who will visit Auckland and Queenstown before and after MEETINGS in Wellington.
BEIA will also host two international buyers and one media representative from Singapore. These influential buyers will visit Auckland and Christchurch prior to the main event.
With 100 hosted or semi-hosted buyers flying in from Australia, 86 are key decision-makers who have not attended MEETINGS before or have not been hosted since 2018. Over 130 hosted buyers from across New Zealand will attend this year, with 47 per cent hosted at MEETINGS for the first time.
“It’s a massive vote of confidence for our sector, for the new venue, our host city and for the MEETINGS programme this year,” Hopkins said.
Air New Zealand has again partnered with MEETINGS to facilitate flights for buyers and 26 Wellington hotels are hosting accommodation.
Meanwhile, day buyers who register before May 17 can stand a chance to win flights and travel expenses to MEETINGS plus social function tickets in one of three prize draws.
The day buyer programme is free of charge, and attendees can join hosted lunch and refreshments throughout the day, as well as educational programmes at the Tourism New Zealand Knowledge and Destination Hub.