Post-MEETINGS survey shows interest in New Zealand

An independent survey commissioned by Business Events Industry Aotearoa (BEIA) post-MEETINGS showed $107.5m (USD $67.48m) worth of business was provisionally secured during the show’s two days – which was a 45.3% increase on MEETINGS 2021. After attending MEETINGS, 79% of all buyers said they were booking business as a result of the event, while 21% were still considering options, such as destination choices. BEIA chief executive, Lisa Hopkins, commented that the numbers reflect the huge demand for face-to-face meetings. June’s MEETINGS event was attended by 18 exhibitors from New Zealand regions over 211 stands, alongside over 100 Australian hosted buyers and 110 New Zealand hosted buyers. During the show, 160 domestic day buyers and 25 media representatives attended. According to the BEIA survey, hosted buyers recorded a 233% increase in the number of delegates expected to attend a business event in the coming year. On the findings, Hopkins commented: “While the daily rate per delegate is down by 14% since 2021, this is offset by the volume which is considerably higher.” Day buyers from across New Zealand recorded a significant increase in the daily delegate spend – which was recorded as $566.90 (USD $355.84) per day, up from $293 (USD $183.92) last year. Hopkins added that a survey trend showed that every region in New Zealand had at least one hosted buyer who was interested in doing business there. Paula Rowntree, of the Australian Psychological Society, demonstrated this trend as explained her goal to bring their next international conference to either Christchurch or Wellington. MEETINGS have also announced their 2023 dates, which will be held on 21 and 22 June at Tākina Wellington Conference and Exhibition Centre.