CINZ and BECA announce Trans-Tasman bubble collaboration

Conventions and Incentives New Zealand (CINZ) and the Business Events Council of Australia (BECA) have announced a joint agreement to work together on issues mutually affecting their markets. CINZ Chief Executive Lisa Hopkins (pictured) says, although Covid-19 has impacted business events in both Australia and New Zealand, “it has also created opportunity and conversation amongst organisations who would not normally align, and our agreement with BECA is an example of this.” BECA Chair, Dr Vanessa Findlay, believes a collaboration between CINZ and BECA will facilitate “maximum benefit” for both countries. She says: “Business events are such significant economic drivers and a fast way of encouraging trade and investment. International events will give an important boost to business recovery on both sides of the Tasman.” Both organisations have also said that they see the benefit in leveraging government advocacy. Hopkins says: “The Australian government publicly acknowledged the difference between controlled gatherings, such as business events, and mass gatherings when they released their three-step COVIDSafe Roadmap, while five weeks ago the New Zealand government gave the go-ahead for events of up to 100. We would have liked to have seen our government follow their Australian counterparts and I am sure, vice-versa.” Findlay adds: “The close relationship between our countries, and the reliance we have on each other, means it makes sense to have a common voice when advocating for change, especially at this time of tremendous economic impact on our industry.” Events are now able to open in New Zealand without any restriction as the country has entered Alert Level 1 regarding the Covid-19 pandemic. Hopkins adds that, when it comes to competitive bids, each association will continue to act in the best interests of their markets. “However, this is a unique relationship at a unique time. Both Vanessa and I believe a unified voice from this part of the world makes sense, giving customers and our industry greater confidence that it is safe to attend business events.”