New Zealand leaders gather in Rotorua

Leaders from 11 New Zealand tourism, hospitality, and event associations gathered in Rotorua last week for a face-to-face meeting to discuss industry issues and priorities. Their gathering was part of the MEETINGS 2024 annual industry trade show. More than 1,200 people attended the two-day event at Rotorua’s Energy Events Centre. Exhibitors from 16 regions of New Zealand displayed 246 stands, including 35 first-time exhibitors, showcasing their business events’ products to over 400 buyers from New Zealand, Australia, Southeast Asia, Hong Kong, and North America. Represented associations included the Backpacker Youth and Adventure Tourism Association (BYATA), Regional Tourism New Zealand (RTNZ), the Board of Airline Representatives of New Zealand (BARNZ), Hotel Council Aotearoa (HCA), Hospitality New Zealand (HNZ), the New Zealand Airports Association (NZAA), the New Zealand Cruise Association (NZCA), Tourism Export Council New Zealand (TECNZ), the New Zealand Event Association (NZEA), Business Events Industry Aotearoa (BEIA), and Tourism Industry Aotearoa (TIA). BEIA chief executive, Lisa Hopkins, said: “There is a lot going on in the industry at the moment, so the opportunity to have counterparts from associations come together at MEETINGS was an opportunity too good to miss…It was also a great opportunity for the sector leaders to experience MEETINGS itself, and to feel the manaakitanga of the destination with such a warm welcome in Rotorua. It’s important our members understand there is collaboration, conversation and discussion across the associations on issues which matter to us all. Together we offer a singular, aligned voice to communicate our joint priorities”.