Business Events Industry Aotearoa appoints new independent chair

Steve Armitage has been appointed the new independent chair of New Zealand national industry association, Business Events Industry Aotearoa (BEIA). He takes on the position held by Tony Gardner, who is stepping down from his six-year tenure as Board chair after the association’s Annual General Meeting, to be held online, 25 November. BEIA chief executive, Lisa Hopkins said:  “Tony has been instrumental in building an active and engaged Board and I know I speak on behalf of them and the BEIA team when I say how grateful we are for the work he has done. “We are delighted to welcome Steve Armitage to this role and I have no doubt that he will add his own quality to the position. A seasoned and well-respected leader with extensive experience working across all levels of the political landscape, Steve’s experience in public affairs, diplomacy, and the corporate sector supports BEIA’s own intentions for the future. “Most recently, Steve held the position of general manager – Destination at Auckland Unlimited, a high-profile role which encompassed a broad range of sectors including business events.” “Like Tony, Steve understands the nuances of the sector very well and the need to be future-focused.” Armitage said he was “firmly of the view that business events should be at the forefront of New Zealand’s economic re-opening to the world given the clear value they bring socially and economically”.