This Content Is Only For Subscribers
Business Events Industry Aotearoa has confirmed new board appointments following its 49th Annual General Meeting, held on Wednesday, November 26 in Auckland.
Prue Daly, general manager of the New Zealand International Convention Centre, has been re-elected as Platinum board member for a further two-year term.
Ross Steele, general manager of Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre, has been elected as the second Platinum board member for a one-year term. Ross previously served on the BEIA board from 2022 to 2024 and replaces Jacques Meyer of Cordis Auckland.
Following this year’s elections, Xanthe Smythe, sales manager for the Conference & Business Group at Sudima Hotels – Hind Management, has been elected as the Gold level board member, replacing Vanessa Wallace.
James Chatterley, managing director of Event Dynamics, has been elected as the Silver level board member, replacing Sam Holdich.
BEIA board chair Martin Snedden congratulated the new representatives and thanked outgoing members.
“We extend a warm welcome to Xanthe and James as our new Gold and Silver representatives elected. Our sincere thanks to Jacques, Vanessa and Sam for their valuable contributions.”
The 2025/26 BEIA Board comprises:
Board Chair
- Martin Snedden
BEIA Management
- Lisa Hopkins
Co-opted members
- Bjoern Spreitzer, Tourism New Zealand
- Iain Walker, Air New Zealand
Platinum
- Prue Daly, NZICC / SkyCity Entertainment Group
- Ross Steele, Te Pae Christchurch
Gold
- Xanthe Smythe, Sudima Hotels – Hind Management
Silver
- James Chatterley, Event Dynamics
Appointed
- David Perks, Regional Tourism NZ
