Hosted buyer applications open for MEETINGS 2021

Hosted buyer applications have opened for MEETINGS 2021, which will be held in Auckland, New Zealand from 2-3 June. Business Events Industry Aotearoa (BEIA) chief executive Lisa Hopkins says buyers have been keen to sign up online, with many applications already received from New Zealand and Australia event organisers. MEETINGS is taking place as an in-person event this year, with a two-day programme and eight different regional familiarisation trips. Pre-familiarisations will take place from 30 May to 1 June in Auckland, Northland, Rotorua, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin-Central Otago. After MEETINGS, from 4 to 6 June hosted buyers can choose to visit either Waikato or Queenstown. Hosted buyer applications for MEETINGS 2021 close on Friday 9 April, and pre-scheduled appointment requests will begin online from Monday, 19 April. Hopkins said: “We believe MEETINGS is the first event for the sector globally in 2021, after other key events have unfortunately had to cancel. Our timing will enable New Zealand’s business events industry to connect early with buyers who are focused on 2022 and beyond. “With the roll-out of the vaccine programme, confidence will be streaming back. Now is the time for business to be secured and to provide certainty for the future. “Following the huge success of [test event] BE Reconnected, supporting the industry to connect consistently is vital. The interest we have for MEETINGS is really exciting. Some of the comments from Australian-based buyers are giving us insight into the pent-up demand for New Zealand, which is seen as a low-risk international destination.” To apply, buyers can visit: www.meetings.co.nz/apply-online.