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Ringa Hora, Services Workforce Development Council and Business Events Industry Aotearoa are coming together to develop vocational education and learning for the business events sector.
Ringa Hora will be adding its voice to the Workforce Steering Group, one of the key focus areas industry highlighted as part of Pīata Mai – the strategic direction for New Zealand’s business events industry to 2035.
BEIA chief executive Lisa Hopkins says the Workforce Steering Group has been established to provide a collaborative forum for cross-sector industry representatives who are part of BEIA’s membership and subject-matter experts in areas of shared interest.
“Collaboration is at the heart of the development of the steering group that will include broad expertise from the industry representing small and large businesses and those in a leadership or management roles,” she says.
“Ringa Hora is focused on responding to industry needs by developing fit for purpose qualifications and standards. Initial feedback from industry is a desire to explore micro-credentials in the workplace that blends experiential learning and practical application based on business needs.
“This ties back to Pīata Mai’s vision of creating a resilient sector, attracting and retaining talent,” Lisa says.
“Talent attraction firstly relies on people knowing the sector exists. Traditionally, the sector has attracted people from hospitality, tourism and PR, but there is additional breadth of variety and challenge which only business events offer. There is something so satisfying about delivering an incredible event which leaves a lasting impression on its audience, and having the opportunity to rub shoulders with truly fascinating people.
“We hope that people from these sectors will see it as a next step in their career, and the vocational training supports this.”
Ringa Hora will have four representatives on the Workforce Steering Group including a cross-section of senior and operational kaimahi (staff) with expertise ranging from relationship management, qualifications, product development and moderation in the vocational education area.
Ringa Hora general manager, partnership and engagement Mel Harrington told industry leaders at MEETINGS 2024 that Ringa Hora brings the voice of industry to the vocational education system and this is crucial in ensuring fit for purpose qualifications and skills, now and in the future.
“This supports the broader vocational education and training priorities outlined in the business events industry’s strategic direction to 2035 (Pīata Mai) and our own strategic vision,” she says.
Ringa Hora will assist with insights from industry into upcoming qualification reviews for the industry, informing and critiquing existing or new product developments relating to skills and qualifications needed by industry.
“Our role is advocating on behalf of industry to contribute strategically to design qualifications and skills aligned with the strategic direction and national priorities.
“Importantly, in working with industry we want to showcase and celebrate role-models in businesses to recognise best practices and encourage future employees to be part of an exciting, fun and rewarding career in the business events sector,” Mel says.
Industry members of the Workforce Steering Group members are:
Alana Bicknell, New Zealand International Convention Centre director of sales and planning
Coltan Wright, Toitoi – Hawke’s Bay Arts & Events Centre business manager arts and culture
Gillian Officer, Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre director of business development
Lisa Hopkins, Business Events Industry Aotearoa chief executive
Martin Langford, Ngāi Tahu Tourism general manager sales
Sally Bunce, The Orange Agency Ltd business events specialist
Sam Horsnell, Millennium Hotels & Resorts director of sales – conference and incentives
Sarah McDonald, Destination Queenstown Queenstown Convention Bureau manager
Terri Lowsley, Conference Innovators project manager
Tracy Martin, EVT Limited national director of sales and marketing – New Zealand
