The 28th edition of Meetings 2024, owned and managed by Business Events Industry Aotearoa (BEIA), will open its tradeshow doors in Rotorua on June 18.
Over 220 hosted buyers and media from New Zealand, Australia, and Singapore, along with many domestic day buyers, will meet over two days at the Energy Events Centre.
This year, buyers can pre-schedule appointments with 205 exhibitors on 246 stands, including 35 first-time exhibitors from 18 regions of New Zealand.
New exhibitors this year include new venues and experiences like Rotorua’s award-winning Wai Ariki Hot Springs and Spa; Arrowtown’s new Ayrburn – a cluster of newly-restored heritage event spaces celebrating Queenstown’s F&B; and Tauranga’s Historic Village. New activity operators include Auckland’s Social Nature Movement, while newly-opened hotels, Auckland Hotel Indigo and InterContinental Auckland, will also be on show.
After receiving Toitū net carbon zero certification as a Certified Event Operation for the first time last year, this year, Toitū is working with the Meetings 2024 team to provide exhibitors with resources teaching them how to measure and reduce their carbon footprint, and exhibit more sustainability.
Meetings’ caterers at the Energy Event Centre, Kak Hospitality, will also help to reduce food waste by working closely with Feeding Rotorua to donate suitable leftover food to those in need. All other food waste will be collected by Ecostock to create bio-gas, stock feed and fertiliser.
Hosted buyer flights and travel will be offset through MEETINGS’ airline partner, Air New Zealand’s FlyNeutral programme.
Buyers and exhibitors are urged to bring their reusable bags, coffee cups and water bottles, to use the MEETINGS App, and to walk to the venue if staying locally. Name badge pouches will be optional for all exhibitors, day buyers and guests to the event. Instead of receiving a welcome gift, hosted buyers will be offered the chance to donate to local charities.
“We are delighted to be partnering with three local charities to support on behalf of our hosted buyers. They can choose to donate to either Waiariki Women’s Refuge, Ka Pai Kai Rotorua school lunches, or the National Kiwi Hatchery,” Lisa Hopkins, BEIA’s chief executive, said.
Day buyer registration is free on the MEETINGS website. Day buyers can attend MEETINGS for any length of time – from two hours to two days – and will receive priority registration for their choice of education sessions, plus complimentary activities in Rotorua, and return transport from Auckland.
