The countdown is on with just one week to go until New Zealand’s premier business events showcase kicks off at the new Tākina Wellington Convention and Exhibition Centre, marking the first time the event has been held in the country’s capital city.
Organised by Business Events Industry Aotearoa (BEIA), MEETINGS 2023 is anticipating a record number of international and domestic buyers and exhibitors.
After a four-year hiatus, buyers from international markets including Asia and North America will once again participate in the event to see the best of New Zealand’s event hosting capabilities. The presence of these global buyers reflects the country’s new infrastructure developments, excellent air connectivity, diverse regional character, strong cultural values, and commitment to innovative sustainability practices.
“Following the opening of New Zealand’s second new-generation convention venue, Tākina Wellington Convention and Exhibition Centre, Wellington now has the capacity and capability to host large-scale national events such as MEETINGS,” BEIA chief executive, Lisa Hopkins said.
“Our visiting buyers, who are key event organisers, will have the chance to experience New Zealand’s newest state-of-the-art international business events venue in action.”
During the two-day event, buyers can pre-schedule appointments with their preferred exhibitors from 224 stands representing 19 regions of New Zealand. The event will attract over 100 buyers from Australia, 134 hosted buyers from New Zealand, and 10 buyers from international markets, including North America and Singapore. Additionally, approximately 300 day buyers from Wellington and other parts of New Zealand have registered to attend, further enhancing the networking and business opportunities available at MEETINGS 2023.
Attendees can also participate in a range of professional development sessions, including Tourism New Zealand Knowledge and Destination Hub, Celebrity Speakers Showcase, and a Professional Conference Organizers (PCO) Masterclass. These sessions provide valuable insights, knowledge-sharing, and learning opportunities for event organisers, ensuring continuous growth and innovation within the business events industry.
The event will take place on 21 and 22 June at the recently opened Tākina Wellington Convention and Exhibition Centre, which has positioned Wellington as a stand-out host for large-scale events like MEETINGS and will allow visiting buyers to witness firsthand the country’s new state-of-the-art second-generation convention venue.
