New Zealand’s capital city is cast into the spotlight this week as MEETINGS 2023 opens this evening with a welcome function at the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa.
More than 1,000 business events industry professionals have turned up for the two-day annual industry tradeshow.
Addressing delegates of the event led by Business Events Industry Aotearoa (BEIA), Tory Whanau, mayor of Wellington, said the gathering was made possible by BEIA’s faith in Tākina Wellington Convention and Exhibition Centre.
Whanau said: “One year ago, BEIA chose Takina as the venue of MEETINGS 2023. It was a big call, trusting that the venue will be open on time and ready to host all of you.
“Thank you for trusting us, and we will repay you in the form of a great experience at the venue. I honestly think Takina is the best convention centre in the country. Well, I may be biased, but you will see for yourself that is pretty fabulous.”
New Zealand’s tourism minister, Peeni Henare, who also addressed the audience during the opening ceremony, said the new venue, which had opened earlier this month, “demonstrates our country’s commitment to developing a world-class and business events-friendly destination”.
Tākina is the second of three major and purpose-built convention centres to open in New Zealand, with the first being the Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre in 2021.
