New Zealand’s MEETINGS 2026 was the largest and the most valuable event in its three-decade history, with organisers estimated projected business generated from MEETINGS 2026 at NZD170m, a 55% increase on 2025,. The number of buyers at this year’s show had increased by 20%.
Held at the New Zealand International Convention Centre (NZICC) in June this year, the event welcomed a record 1,600 attendees with more than 700 qualified buyers, and over 260 exhibitors representing 19 regions.
BEIA chief executive, Lisa Hopkins said the value of opportunities and conversations between buyers and exhibitors this year was the highest result ever recorded.
“This reinforces the positive momentum which is being felt across the sector, with strong interest from both domestic and international buyers to hold business events in New Zealand. It also underscores the importance of MEETINGS as the industry’s flagship trade event, connecting the industry with key decision-makers and creating opportunities that translate into future business,” she said.
The BEIA data was drawn directly from surveys completed by hosted and day buyers and independently verified. Respondents were asked to provide the projected total value of the bookings they intended to place, expressed in New Zealand Dollars (NZD).
While the percentage of buyers booking business was similar to last year, the average value of projected bookings rose considerably.
“The strong satisfaction scores from exhibitors and visitors show the quality of the connections taking place and the importance of MEETINGS for building new partnerships and future events,” Hopkins said.
Next year marks 30 years of MEETINGS, a significant milestone for the event that has resulted in billions of dollars being pumped into New Zealand’s economy over the past three decades.
The 30th MEETINGS will be held at the NZICC in Auckland, 29-30 June 2027.
