Find out how you can plug in to the Business Events Industry Aotearoa’s reach, activities, members and services
Business Events Industry Aotearoa (BEIA) was established in 1976 and represents the New Zealand Convention Association Inc. Operating as advocates for the New Zealand business events and incentive tourism industries, BEIA’s primary objective is to facilitate connections between suppliers and clients and provide avenues for professional development, accreditation and educational opportunities for the individuals involved in the sector.
A newly developed digital planning tool connects planners and organisers directly with more than 450 business event suppliers and 280 venues across New Zealand. Participation for suppliers is via a tiered membership programme designed to suit organisations of all sizes, and the higher levels offer access to BEIA’s Australian office. This is significant, as the Australian market delivers more than 65% of all international business event arrivals into New Zealand.
BEIA take a lead in fostering the growth of New Zealand’s business events sector, both on the international stage and within the domestic market. The organisation delivers a robust programme of education, awards, a two-day annual conference and a highly successful mentoring programme, now celebrating its first decade. BEIA and its members also partner to deliver a robust Business Events Data Programme providing greater insights into the size and scope of the sector.
BEIA also drives Pīata Mai, the national statement of strategic direction for New Zealand’s business events sector, which outlines the vision for the industry over the next decade, amplifying the sector’s positive impact on culture, society, the environment and the economy through to 2035. Bestowed by New Zealand Māori Tourism, the name Pīata Mai means ‘to shine bright’ and symbolises the industry’s readiness to excel domestically and globally.
It illuminates the critical role and contributions of business events to communities throughout New Zealand, and strategy emphasises storytelling about the sector’s community impacts, its foundational values of people and place and the economic and legacy benefits of business events. The 10-year aims and immediate objectives of Pīata Mai include commissioning credible domestic and international spend data, ensuring 95% of the sector has taken action to measure and reduce environmental impact and supporting the development of an enduring and equitable funding system for the visitor economy.
Pīata Mai also aligns with the broader goals of Tourism 2050, a vision set out by Tourism Industry Aotearoa in 2023, where objectives include an annual NZ$3bn economic contribution.
BEIA is also the organiser of MEETINGS, the only national trade show in New Zealand for the Business Events industry. Spanning two days and celebrating its 29th anniversary in 2025, MEETINGS remains New Zealand’s premier business events trade show. It connects buyers and sellers from the conference, meetings, exhibition and incentive travel industry and fosters the exchange of ideas and knowledge.
In 2025, the event returns to Auckland, where it all began, and includes a hosted buyer programme for approved visitors from across the continent.
Contact: www.beia.co.nz/contact-beia
