NETWORKING
TRADE SHOWS Previews and reviews of the latest business events and shows
MEETINGS ends on a high in Rotorua
At New Zealand ’ s business events industry exhibition , MEETINGS , organisers and industry were confident of a bright future for the country .
Last held in Rotorua 13 years ago , the destination put on a show for the hosted buyers from Australia , Asia , North America and New Zealand in June , with some major revelations during the event that painted a picture of a country working together for the industry as a whole .
Announcements included : w Tourism New Zealand ’ s general manager of business events , Bjoern Spreitzer , said New Zealand aims to target larger , high impact conferences that support the country ’ s growth sectors . w The host of MEETINGS , Business Events Industry Aotearoa ( BEIA ), said it was working with Ringa Hora Services Workforce Development Council to develop vocational education and learning for the business events sector . w BEIA also announced it was creating a strategic partnership with the Professional Conference Organisers Association to foster greater industry collaboration across Australia and New Zealand . w MEETINGS 2024 also provided a platform from which BEIA announced it was creating New Zealand ’ s first national business events awards . They will be held bi-annually , with the first in 2025 .
The event itself Approximately 650 people attended the opening event at MEETINGS before settling in for two days of one-onone meeting with exhibitors . Around 100 Australian buyers and media representatives were given a first-hand insight into the collegial nature of the local business events community , in between local tours , social functions and one-on-one meetings with exhibitors .
The 2024 Best Stand Awards were announced , voted for by hosted buyers . The criteria included initial impact , overall presentation and ambience of the stand , as well as effectiveness of stand personnel and the presentation of marketing collateral available on the stand . The winners were Wai Ariki Hot Springs and Spa ( Best new exhibitor ), Millennium Hotels and Resorts ( best individual stand ), and Ōtautahi Christchurch ( best regional stand ).
MEETINGS will return to Auckland in 2025 . S meetings . co . nz
New event hits all the high notes in Singapore
A newly created event called The Meeting Show Asia Pacific took place in Singapore in April with more than 1000 planners attending from throughout Australasia . Hosted at the Sands Expo and Convention Centre at Marina Bay Sands it incorporated two days of learning and networking with a range of special events . Topics discussed included : w Event marketing trends : strategies for success w Unleashing the power of events to deliver social and environmental change w The AI Revolution
The organiser hosted buyers from Australia who are responsible for booking event space and running meetings and will be doing so again in 2025 – save the date for 23rd and 24th April . S themeetingsshow-apac . com
46 Executive PA | Winter Issue 2024