New Zealand’s first Business Events Week launches today (September 18, 2023) with the Business Events Industry Aotearoa (BEIA) Annual Conference in Marlborough, followed by policy and business forums in Wellington and Auckland.
The BEIA’s annual conference of education and networking has been integrated into Business Events Week, and will conclude on September 20.
On September 21, there will be a Policy Forum in Wellington. It will be an invitation-only meeting of industry leaders, government agencies, and experts from the worlds of healthcare, scientific research, academia, business and sustainability designed to increase understanding of the strategic value of meetings beyond their direct economic impact, and to build stronger collaboration across these different sectors.
The same evening, Tourism New Zealand will recognise academics and industry leaders who have bid for and won international conferences for the country at the awards dinner.
On September 22, the by-invite-only Auckland Business Forum will see industry leaders identify how to improve teamwork across Auckland, the business events industry, and end-beneficiaries.
Happening on the same day in Auckland will be the ICCA International Conference Seminar, which is an education session designed for those active in securing international conferences for New Zealand. It will cover insights and market trends, competitive advantages, and strategies to win business.
BEIA chief executive, Lisa Hopkins said that business events are proving an economic powerhouse for New Zealand.
“The global business events industry, which is valued at US$1.6 trillion, is now in full recovery mode and New Zealand is set to attract high-quality events to our shores that will benefit our economy, society, culture, and environment.
“Our industry has come of age with new world-class infrastructure including two new conventions centres, Te Pae Christchurch and Tākina Wellington, and the New Zealand International Convention Centre (NZICC) in Auckland set to open in 2025,” Hopkins says.
Business events is currently Tourism New Zealand’s fourth most valuable visitor market – after Australia, the US, and the UK.
A wildfire on Mount Bromo’s Teletubbies Hill has forced The Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park Center (BB TNBTS) to close the attraction to visitors until further notice as authorities scramble to extinguish the fire.
The fire was allegedly caused by the use of flares by a couple who were taking pre-wedding photographs at the location.
All access routes to the Indonesian national park have been shut down. An entrance is available only for locals living in the areas surrounding the mountain.
In statement, Septi Eka Wardhani, head of the administrative division at BB TNBTS, explained that the closure would ensure the safety of visitors. Once the situation is under control, a reopening will be evaluated.
Based on Regional Disaster Mitigation Agency data, the area of forest and land destroyed by the fire on Mount Bromo has reached 274 hectares.
Efforts to extinguish the devastating fire is being carried out by the East Java provincial and Malang task force teams, volunteers, fire awareness community, and the BB TNBTS’s fire-handling team.
Septi said visitors who had purchased tickets online can apply for a change in visiting dates. Procedures for rescheduling and other information will be provided by BB TNBTS.
Although the national park is closed, Adjie Wahjono, operations manager of Aneka Kartika Tours, said tourists could still enjoy views of Mount Bromo from Seruni Point or Metigen Viewpoint, areas that are not within the management of BB TNBTS.
“There have been no cancellations so far. We can still conduct Mount Bromo tours with slight modifications, as tourists cannot go to Whispering Sands or hike up the mountain. However, Jeep rides and other activities are still possible,” said Adjie.