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After a record-breaking event in Rotorua this year, MEETINGS, New Zealand’s premier trade show for the business events industry, is moving back to the country’s largest city, Auckland for 2025 and 2026.
Business Events Industry Aotearoa has announced dates for the next two years, with the first to be held at the Auckland Showgrounds on June 11-12, 2025, followed by June 17-18, 2026, at the New Zealand International Convention Centre.
BEIA chief executive Lisa Hopkins says she is thrilled MEETINGS is heading to Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland given the significant growth of the city’s world-class business events sector and infrastructure in the last few years.
“It’s been four years since MEETINGS was held in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland and much has changed in the city,” she says.
“We can’t wait to introduce buyers to the exciting transformation the city is experiencing with new major infrastructure projects such as the NZICC, City Rail Link (due to open end of 2025) and several new hotels, including five-star product at the Horizon Hotel and Intercontinental Auckland, as well as the expansion of the Cordis Pinnacle Tower.
“Hosted buyers, by invitation, will have the opportunity to tour the NZICC in 2025, as a prelude to 2026.
“We are already looking ahead for MEETINGS’ 30th anniversary in 2026 and NZICC will be an exciting venue to celebrate this milestone,” she says.
Tātaki Auckland Unlimited chief executive Nick Hill says he is delighted MEETINGS is returning to Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland for two consecutive years.
“This announcement reflects Tātaki Auckland Unlimited’s strong partnership with BEIA, and our commitment to attract more high-value business events to our region.
“The sector plays an important role in increasing our visitation and tourism numbers and we’re looking forward to welcoming everyone to connect, collaborate and to experience all that Auckland has to offer,” Nick says.
New International Congress and Convention Association statistics ranks Auckland in the top 100 worldwide for hosting international conferences. The city has also posted its best ranking in the Asia Pacific region in 10 years, now sitting at 15th.
MEETINGS was last held in Auckland in 2021, followed by Christchurch, Wellington and Rotorua. MEETINGS 2024 in Rotorua generated a projected NZ$110m worth of business over the next three years.
