Business Events Wellington (BEW) has finished the first year of its Legacy Programme. The initiative was designed to help conference organisers maximise their event’s long-term impact, supporting 12 conferences in 2024 to create new career pathways, regulatory advancements and investment opportunities for Wellington and New Zealand.
Key outcomes:
Enhancing industry talent pipelines: The Asia Pacific Network Information Centre (APNIC 58) aimed to address a lack of diversity in the IT sector diversity. Victoria University of Wellington sponsored 20 students to attend.
Shaping government policy: The Life Sciences Summit 2024 engaged policymakers in Wellington – after the conference, the government stated that biotech is in its top three science industry priorities and announced it will write new gene regulations with help from the biotech industry.
Attracting international investment: Wellington Games Week was set up alongside with the NZ Game Developers Conference (NZGDC) 2024. The Games Week hosted 24 events prior to the conference, offering a familiarisation tour for international games studios, developers and investors to see games in development, leading to more international companies gaining interest in establishing offices in Wellington.
82% of attendees said they achieved their primary objectives for attending the conference and 75% reported they they had learned things at the conference that would change the way they work day-to-day.
“We are excited about 2025,” BEW manager Irette Ferreira said. “The city is welcoming an excellent line up of international conferences this year, many of whom are looking to make a positive impact on Wellington and Aotearoa. Most clients already have a specific need in mind, and we’re ready to make the connections to meet their objectives.”
