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The first day of the BEIA & AGM Conference at Cordis, Auckland, November 26-27 opened with a really engaging energy as delegates from across Aotearoa’s business events sector came together at Cordis, Auckland. The morning began with warm karakia followed with an introduction from BEIA leadership. This conference’s focus? innovation, resilience, and the future of New Zealand’s events industry.
Ministerial Address & Fireside Chat -Hon. Louise Upston
Hon. Louise Upston gave a Ministerial update, touching on key government priorities such as the launch of Te Haeata- the New Zealand certificate in Business Events Level 4 that will help address gaps in the workforce and attracting more Kiwis to the tourism and hospitality sector. She also emphasised the importance of leveraging major events for innovation, trade and investments that include markets such as China and India.
This was followed by a fireside chat with BEIA chief executive, Lisa Hopkins where the Minister talked about her early career in events and hospitality and her advocacy as MP for Taupo.
Keynote: Dr. Alia Bojilova- Resilience, Leadership & Curiosity
What followed was a keynote presentation delivered by Dr. Alia Bojilova, a registered psychologist known for her work in organisational resilience, team dynamics, high-performance leadership, and cultivating curiosity under pressure.
Dr. Bojilova blended themes of psychology, military insights from her own experience of deployment (that called upon her loquacious skills to avoid perilous situations) she also talked of the importance of self efficiency and curiosity- just some of the tools needed to thrive in volatile environments.
Leading With AI — Presentation
A session with Dave Wild, a Futurist with Smith and Wild who spoke on Leading with AI, and how artificial intelligence is changing decision-making, client engagement, and event delivery. He highlighted how there should always be a balance of between technology and human interaction, proceed with caution, but also embrace that it is also here to stay and evolve in the coming years.
Other presentations of the day included a Imposter Syndrome Masterclass. A popular session that included tips of self-efficacy and how to grow your confidence in the workplace, and a presentation of Menopause in the Workplace from speaker and author, Sarah Conner, who spoke of knowledge is power and how what was once a former taboo subject in the workplace is now an ongoing and important narrative.
The day ended with more details of the Te Haeata Launch and how New Zealand is positioning themselves as a premium business events destination based on service, quality and capabilities. Later on, the highly anticipated Bizzie Awards Dinner will be the talk of Day 2 of the BEIA and AGM conference, with finalists of the inaugural event will be recognised with excellence across the business events sector.
