New Zealand’s MEETINGS 2021 to open up to Australian visitors

Over 60 Australian business event organisers are set to arrive in Auckland on 1 June for Business Events Industry Aotearoa’s (formerly CINZ) two-day showcase MEETINGS 2021. Before and after MEETINGS, hosted buyers from Australia and New Zealand can also choose to join one of five different regional familiarisation tours to Auckland, Rotorua, Wellington, Christchurch, and Queenstown. As well as 60 hosted buyers and industry media from around Australia, 110 domestic event planners from across New Zealand will also join MEETINGS’ pre-scheduled appointment programme with 145 exhibitors from 18 regions at ASB Showgrounds. BEIA chief executive Lisa Hopkins says the border opening last month provided much-needed international confidence for planners and organisers, and it is now driving future business opportunities. Hopkins commented: “This is an extraordinary achievement for New Zealand. A significant business event featuring international buyers in a face-to-face environment. It is a reflection of the way New Zealand has managed COVID, and BEIA is excited to help facilitate this vital connection with Australian buyers looking to bring business to our shores. “There is strong confidence in New Zealand’s procedures and protocols and this has filtered through to how we deliver business events. Our objective is to ensure the health and well-being of all our visitors stays top of mind while ensuring an excellent experience throughout the stay. “MEETINGS is a significant milestone for the business events industry, two years since our last event. 2021 is the 25th anniversary of MEETINGS which has become a key driver of business bookings for the conference, incentives and meetings sector.”