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The second day of the BEIA Conference, Wednesday, November 27, opened with a lineup of great speakers and thought-provoking discussions, that reaffirmed the resilience and adaptability of the business events industry.
From the impact of economic fluctuations to leveraging AI towards a brighter future for industry. Delegates were treated to an agenda filled with forward-thinking insights and strategies.
Economic outlook for the business events industry
Infometrics director Brad Olsen spoke of economic conditions and how it continue to shape the trajectory of business events. Tackling topics like travel affordability, domestic travel trends, and the rising costs of doing business. Some of these key take away’s from his presentation is the continuing impact of the global economic impact on travel including fuel prices and travel expenses. Brad says that tourism recovery is still slow, but business activity is showing signs of improvement.
The future of business events and driving growth
A dynamic panel featuring leaders, David Segal (Front Row Group) Bjoern Spreitzer (Tourism NZ) Iain Walker (Air NZ) and Jenny Walsh (Motive Events) explored how the country can remain competitive on the global stage.
The panel included unpacking strategies to attract international business events while addressing how to ensure equitable economic distribution across regions. From policy reforms to collaborative marketing efforts, the session highlighted the urgent need for innovation and strategic partnerships.
A recurring theme was the need for adaptability. Whether through embracing sustainable practices or tailoring experiences to align with global expectations. With more of a need for accessibility, availability and cost to be addressed with New Zealand’s unique value as a destination that could be further leveraged to secure a prominent spot on the international business events map.
Making AI work with you
Technology took the spotlight with Renee Goodsell’s from Tomahawk’s session on AI, With a practical approach, Renee walked the audience through the potential of AI software to transform lead management, streamline and elevate client communication.
The session wasn’t just about theory though, it was about application. Renee offered a step-by-step roadmap for implementation, showing how AI can become a reliable ally in improving efficiency and reallocating resources. For an industry that often juggles tight deadlines and vast amounts of data, the tools showcased here felt like game-changers. And if you needed help with deciding what to cook for dinner that night, Renee had that covered too, showing how AI can take the guesswork out of decision making at home by inputting leftover in your fridge that created recipes.
Closing keynote: from Kiwi to court and the future
The day ended on an inspiring note with BBM Motivation founder, Dave Letele and ex Rugby League player, Manu Vatuvei sharing their journeys in life. Their presentation was a mix of vulnerability and triumph that touched on the highs and lows of their lives—from the pressures of high-profile careers to personal mistakes and the hope found in second chances.
Resilience and redemption served as a powerful reminder that while mistakes can define a moment, they don’t have to define a lifetime.
