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Key industry and government leaders, global sector leaders and media have been hosted to a high-impact leadership conversation (kōrero) exploring the future of New Zealand’s business events industry at MEETINGS 2025 in Auckland today, June 11.
Business Events Industry Aotearoa chief executive Lisa Hopkins says the group tackled the challenges and opportunities facing the sector – from infrastructure and immigration to global uncertainty and investment.
“Our kōrero centred on the key forces shaping business events in Aotearoa New Zealand, grounded in leadership, investment, and shared goals for growth. We asked the hard questions: what lies ahead, and how do we continue to shape our industry to ensure it thrives.
“The answers were optimistic, and the conditions for meaningful change, for real impact, are finally on our side,” she says.
Tātaki Auckland Unlimited chief executive Nick Hill opened kōrero today and focused on the city’s evolution as a world-class destination for business events. He outlined the strategic value of business events to Auckland’s economy, culture, and identity. Major investments, including the New Zealand International Convention Centre, upgraded airport transport infrastructure, and increased hotel capacity are strengthening the city’s position on the global stage.
“We are bullish about the next five years, and business events are a key part of the equation. This year we have seen an estimated $48.5 million economic impact compared to $35.8 million last year – a 35 per cent increase. This equates to a 31 per cent increase in total attendees (34,000) and a 48 per cent increase in total visitor nights (113 thousand). Auckland has a significant business pipeline in progress which, if successful, is estimated to add an additional $107 million,” Nick says.
Tourism New Zealand chief executive René de Monchy shared the outcomes of the Business Events Boost Fund, a Government investment initiative nearing the completion of its first three months.
The new fund, which has been extended for another year, has helped elevate New Zealand’s global competitiveness through enhanced bidding and marketing activity.
“Tourism New Zealand is aiming to achieve its highest ever value target for international conferences in FY26, with a goal of making 110 bids valued at $185m. New Zealand is perceived as safe, welcoming and politically stable. Infrastructure build makes us really competitive in the international space, making our birds even more powerful,” René says.
Immigration New Zealand’s visa expert Jock Gilray covered the importance of streamlined visa access for international delegates who require visas. He outlined recent advancements in visa processing, including event-specific support. “We have introduced a dedicated process to better support large groups and encourage event organisers to notify INZ early about future events.”
A dedicated session on Infrastructure Development focused on transformative investments across major new venues, airports, and transport networks. One New Zealand Stadium Christchurch, NZICC, Auckland Airport and Air New Zealand are all strengthening New Zealand’s capacity to attract and deliver impactful business events, driving wider economic, social, and cultural benefits.
NZICC general manager Prue Daly outlined the economic and social benefits of business events for Auckland and New Zealand.
“After opening in February 2026 NZICC will bring an estimated 33,000 new international delegates to Auckland, New Zealand per year contributing $90 million of new economic spend year. There are 23 international events confirmed between 2026 and 2028 with 23,000 delegates and 126,000 visitor days,” she says.
The Geo-Political Panel Session brought together global experts including International Association of Convention Centres’s Sven Bossu, rofessional Convention Management Association’s Florence Chua, Australian Business Events Association’s Matt Pearce and BEIA CEO Lisa Hopkins. Discussions included how world events – from political uncertainty and climate change to AI and storytelling — are reshaping the business events landscape, how destinations need to adapt, and how diplomacy and narrative can foster resilience and growth.
Lisa says with global uncertainty top of mind amongst many on the floor, New Zealand is increasingly seen as a trusted, safe and aspirational choice, appealing to both conferences and incentive events.
“Incentives are a huge opportunity, especially from Australia, Asia and North America, which, coincidentally, aligns beautifully with Tourism New Zealand’s strategic focus.
“Tourism New Zealand has brought buyers here from North America to experience our offer firsthand, and the early feedback is promising. An international conference delegate might spend around $4,000, excluding flights. An incentive traveller’s spend can more than double, on average, to around $9,000 per person, and it’s higher-end, longer-stay, deeper-engagement travel.
“We often talk about the economic impact of business events, and we should. But there’s something else that’s just as powerful, and sometimes gets missed: the soft power we influence.
“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, relationships begin, and the future takes shape. That’s critical for New Zealand and something to be deeply proud of,” she says.
