Business Events Industry Aotearoa (BEIA) Independent Chair, Steve Armitage, will be stepping down from his position in August following his appointment as chief executive of Hospitality New Zealand.

BEIA chief executive, Lisa Hopkins, expressed gratitude to Armitage for his exceptional leadership and support over the past two years, and congratulated him on his new role leading one of New Zealand’s largest industry associations.

“Under Steve’s guidance, BEIA is heading in a strong direction which will secure the future for the association and the industry. He will be an important part of our flagship event, MEETINGS in Wellington this month, and he will attend our conference in September in his new role representing the hospitality industry,” Hopkins said.

“We are thrilled to know we will continue working closely with Steve in his new role. BEIA and HospitalityNZ developed a strong relationship during the COVID pandemic, and the two organisations are closely aligned within the wider visitor economy. I am looking forward to our working relationship continuing and the collaboration opportunities that will bring for both organisations.”

Following MEETINGS, BEIA will initiate the process of finding a new Chair, aiming to have the position filled by the time of the annual conference in Marlborough in September. The search for a new Chair will ensure the continuity of BEIA’s leadership and its commitment to advancing the business events industry in New Zealand.