New Zealand’s biggest trade show for the business events industry, MEETINGS 2025 continues to gain momentum in attendance and reputation as next year’s venue prepares for opening.
More than 1,200 people attended the 28th MEETINGS across two days at Auckland Showgrounds, with a record 250 stands representing 18 regions of New Zealand. More than 540 buyers and media attended, a 69 per cent increase on the 2024 number, including a record 126 buyers and media from Australia.
MEETINGS’ ever-popular social gatherings attracted 700 people to the welcome function at Auckland’s Eden Park, and 650 to celebrate the finale at Viaduct Events Centre.
BEIA chief executive Lisa Hopkins says MEETINGS goes from strength to strength and is gearing up for next year’s milestone event at Auckland’s New Zealand International Convention Centre.
“We anticipate the biggest MEETINGS ever next year at Auckland’s New Zealand International Convention Centre. The BEIA team is working closely with the teams at NZICC and Auckland Convention Bureau to open up registration and hosted buyer applications for 2026 as early as possible,” Lisa says.
Independent post-MEETINGS 2025 research and analysis projects $110 million in business transactions between exhibitors and buyers will happen within the next three years, the same value as last year. “This result isn’t unexpected given current domestic and international economic challenges, and is likely a reflection of event organisers tending to consider shorter lead times in booking at the moment,” she says.
“What it also tells us is that MEETINGS is vital for establishing a pipeline of business, as well as for building those connections that will come to fruition in the future. Doing the mahi (work) now helps future-proof the sector.”
Recognising the importance of the business events sector for its growth agenda, the Government chose MEETINGS 2025 to announce a new round of funding for business events, part of the wider Tourism Growth Roadmap launched by New Zealand Tourism and Hospitality Minister, Louise Upston at Eden Park.
“We were honoured to have Minister Upston join us and make these announcements at MEETINGS. BEIA is ready to support the Tourism Growth Roadmap and as an industry, thrilled to be able to speak directly with organisers about the new round of funding to drive more business into the country.”
MEETINGS 2025 set a new bar for the level of knowledge sharing and dialogue with 11 speakers at Kōrero, an industry leadership summit. The BEIA Approved Professional Conference Organiser Masterclass, Corporate Event Organisers’ meeting, Celebrity Speakers Showcase, Society for Incentive Travel Excellence (SITE) gatherings and regional Convention Bureaux meetings also took place around the event.
Social impact was a meaningful focus again this year, with buyers invited to support one of three Auckland charities selected by BEIA – Pet Refuge, Auckland City Mission and Big Buddy. A donation was made on each person’s behalf to their chosen organisation.
“We saw plenty of energy and optimism on the show floor and received incredible and constructive feedback from buyers and exhibitors. They’ve told us MEETINGS is an essential part of their calendar, how good it is to meet face-to-face in New Zealand, and how much the friendly and welcoming hospitality (manaakitanga) and the strong cultural ethos meant to them,” Lisa says.
“Our buyers commented on the cohesiveness New Zealand displays within our regions, with suppliers recommending or collaborating with others to tailor the best solutions for clients. That is such an important point of difference.”MEETINGS 2026 will be held on 17 and 18 June 2026 at the NZICC in Auckland.
