Business events professionals from across New Zealand will gather in Christchurch from October 27 to 29, 2026, for the Business Events Industry Aotearoa (BEIA) annual conference and The Bizzies awards, held just ahead of the country’s November 7 General Election.
BEIA chief executive Lisa Hopkins highlighted the sector’s growing profile as a strategic economic asset, noting that discussions will focus on leveraging events to drive productivity, innovation, and international connectivity.
The conference programme features economic insights from high-profile economist Brad Olsen, along with panel discussions addressing key industry challenges. Panels featuring industry leaders, educators, and global experts will explore talent retention, international market trends, and strategies to increase regional event dispersal across New Zealand communities.
Delegates will also experience The Christchurch Experience, which showcases the city’s urban transformation and resilience since 2011, culminating in a final keynote by Ian Taylor on applying these lessons to business recovery and growth.
The event kicks off with a welcome function at OneNZ Stadium on October 27, with main sessions hosted at Christchurch Town Hall and The Bizzies gala dinner taking place at Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre.
