Business Events Industry Aotearoa (BEIA) recently hosted its annual trade show to showcase New Zealand’s exceptional business events and incentives credentials.
MEETINGS 2025 was held in Auckland on 10-12 June, with a pre-event famil across the host city and welcome event on day one, followed by two days of connections and learning on the trade show floor at Auckland Showgrounds.
The 28th edition of MEETINGS attracted 1200 visitors across two days of the trade show, including 540 buyers and media – a 69 per cent increase on 2024’s numbers, including a record 126 buyers and media, including Spice, from Australia.
The event also boasted a record 250 stands representing 18 regions of New Zealand, with independent post-MEETINGS 2025 research and analysis projecting $110 million in business transactions between exhibitors and buyers will happen within the next three years, which is the same value as 2024.
“This result isn’t unexpected given current domestic and international economic challenges, and it is likely a reflection of event organisers tending to consider shorter lead times in booking at the moment,” says BEIA chief executive Lisa Hopkins.
“What it also tells us is MEETINGS is vital for establishing a pipeline of business, as well as for building connections that will come to fruition in the future.
“Doing the work now helps futureproof the sector.
“We anticipate the biggest MEETINGS ever next year [17-19 June, 2026] at Auckland’s New Zealand International Convention Centre (NZICC).
“The BEIA team is working closely with the teams at NZICC and Auckland Convention Bureau to open registration and hosted buyer applications for 2026 as early as possible.”
Despite heavy rain, MEETINGS 2025 got off to an exciting start with 700 industry professionals attending a welcome event at New Zealand’s national stadium, Eden Park.
Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown officially welcomed guests to Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland by acknowledging the city’s unique standing as the largest Polynesian city in the world and the significant infrastructure investment shaping its future.
He was joined by Hopkins and BEIA chair Martin Snedden, who reflected on the proud legacy of Eden Park, a venue steeped in history and home to many of New Zealand’s sporting triumphs – including during his days representing the national cricket team, the Black Caps.
New Zealand Minister for Tourism and Hospitality Louise Upston opened MEETINGS 2025 by announcing New Zealand is investing an additional NZ$3 million to increase the number of business events hosted in the country, as part of Tourism New Zealand’s Conference Assistance Programme during the next 12 months.
“I see the business events sector as an incredibly valuable visitor market for supporting tourism growth,” said Minister Upston at the event. “Business events punch well above their weight by attracting high-value international conferences to our regions and main centres throughout the year – MEETINGS is a prime example of this.”
On the back of the initial $3 million funding announced in March 2025, this second wave of government investment in New Zealand is welcomed by BEIA as a long-term commitment to the business events sector and its role in driving tourism and export growth.
“The initial $3 million investment announced in March was a powerful starting point,” says Hopkins.
“This second wave of funding sends a clear and deliberate message to the global market that New Zealand is here to compete for international business events and we’re in it for the long haul.
“This is an exciting development for our sector and for the many international buyers attending MEETINGS 2025.
“It provides renewed confidence and momentum for the next 12 months of bidding and business development.”
Hopkins says the value of business events to New Zealand extends beyond visitor numbers.
“Conference and incentive delegates spend on average $175 more per day than other international visitors,” she says.
“Critically, many events are held in the shoulder and off-peak seasons between March and November, which supports regional economies and drives year-round demand.
“This isn’t just about tourism – it’s about opening doors to global knowledge, trade and investment.”
On the opening morning of the MEETINGS 2025 trade show, 11 speakers convened for a high-impact industry leadership summit (Kōrero) exploring the future of New Zealand’s business events industry.
Speakers included Tātaki Auckland Unlimited chief executive Nick Hill; Tourism New Zealand chief executive René de Monchy; Immigration New Zealand visa expert Jock Gilray; NZICC general manager Prue Daly; International Association of Convention Centres CEO Sven Bossu; Professional Convention Management Association managing director, APAC, Florence Chua; and Australian Business Events Association deputy chair Matt Pearce.
“Our Kōrero centred on the key forces shaping business events in Aotearoa New Zealand, grounded in leadership, investment and shared goals for growth,” says Hopkins.
“We asked the hard questions: what lies ahead and how do we continue to shape our industry to ensure it thrives.
“We don’t sign peace treaties, cure diseases or negotiate trade deals, but we bring the people together who do.
“We create the spaces where ideas are exchanged, trust is built and relationships begin – that is critical for New Zealand and something to be deeply proud of.”
MEETINGS 2025 closed with an epic party for 650 guests at Viaduct Events Centre, capping a huge week for BEIA and New Zealand’s business events sector.
“We saw plenty of energy and optimism on the show floor and received incredible and constructive feedback from buyers and exhibitors,” says Hopkins.
“They have told us MEETINGS is an essential part of their calendar, how good it is to meet face-to-face in New Zealand, and how much the friendly and welcoming hospitality (manaakitanga) and strong cultural ethos means to them.”
