BEIA welcomes New Zealand Government investment boost for business events

June 10, 2025

The Business Events Industry Aotearoa (BEIA) has welcomed an additional $3 million investment by the New Zealand Government to attract international business events to New Zealand. The investment is seen by BEIA as a strong signal of long-term commitment to the sector and the contribution it makes in driving tourism and export growth.

NZ Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston today announced the new investment which will support additional international business event bids through the Conference Assistance Programme, managed by Tourism New Zealand, over the next year.

Minister Upston is in Auckland today to officially open MEETINGS 2025, New Zealand's largest business events showcase. The two-day trade exhibition begins 11th June at Auckland Showgrounds, with exhibitors across 250 stands representing 18 regions, meeting with over 550 domestic and international buyers.

BEIA Chief Executive Lisa Hopkins says the announcement couldn't have come at a better time for the industry and notes “the initial $3 million investment announced in March was a powerful starting point. This second wave of funding sends a clear and deliberate message to the global market, 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. 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 well beyond visitor numbers and advises “Conference and incentive delegates spend on average $175 more per day than other international visitors. 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. Business events bring together the very people who drive progress, scientists, innovators, policymakers, entrepreneurs. They create meaningful legacies for New Zealand.”

Today's $3 million business events investment is part of the first phase of the Government's $35 million Tourism Growth Roadmap. The roadmap outlines a shared ambition between Government and industry to double tourism export earnings by 2034 through targeted initiatives, with business events playing a central role.

“This partnership approach between Government and industry is exactly what we need to stay competitive internationally, and I know that the tourism, hospitality and event industries are eager to get started on this collaboration," Hopkins says.

Image top: NZ Minister Louise Upston visiting the MEETINGS 2025 exhibition floor in Auckland today (10th June); image below NZ Tourism Minister Louise Upston with Lisa Hopkins, BEIA Chief EXecutive and Martin Snedden, BEIA Chair

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24th June 2024 - MEETINGS 24 brought together tourism, hospitality, and event association leaders in Rotorua

19th June 2024 - Buyers welcomed in Rotorua ahead of MEETINGS 2024

11th June 2024 - BEIA commences MEETINGS 2024 with Hobbiton Movie Set tour

25th March 2024 - BEIA opens Day Buyer registrations for MEETINGS 2024

25th January 2024 - BEIA invites hosted buyers to Rotorua for MEETINGS 2024

14th November 2023 - BEIA MEETINGS secures carbon zero certification

21st August 2023 - BEIA’s post-2023 MEETINGS survey shows record projected value for New Zealand business events

4th July 2023 - Rotorua named host city for Business Events Industry Aotearoa’s MEETINGS 2024

24th May 2023 - MEETINGS 2023 to offer raft of new business, networking and knowledge opportunities

29th April 2023 - Leading international event planners confirmed for MEETINGS 2023 in Wellington

4th April 2023 - New Zealand’s 27th MEETINGS 2023 renews commitment to carbonzero certification

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