Change in Every Token: MEETINGS 2025 Gave Back to Communities Nationwide

Big Buddy

Attendees Took Part in Something Bigger Than Business

MEETINGS 2025 was more than just a hub for networking, innovation, and business opportunity—it became a platform for positive social change. In a heartfelt initiative led by Business Events Industry Aotearoa (BEIA), every attendee had the chance to support one of three New Zealand charities by allocating a physical token at the event, translating individual choices into meaningful contributions.

This simple yet powerful concept allowed visitors to help direct where charitable donations would go, highlighting the collective impact of the events industry when it aligns with community causes.

Pet Refuge: Helping Families and Pets Find Safety Together

One of the supported organisations was Pet Refuge, a charity providing temporary shelter for pets affected by domestic violence. For families facing abuse, the fear of leaving a beloved animal behind can often be a major barrier to seeking safety. With the donations received through MEETINGS 2025, Pet Refuge continued to offer secure accommodation, vaccinations, and vital veterinary care for animals in crisis. The support helped ensure that victims could take the steps toward a safer future without leaving their pets behind.

Auckland City Mission: Feeding, Healing and Housing

Auckland City Mission also benefited from the generosity of attendees. The Mission remained a vital force in providing food, health care, addiction support, and emergency housing to the city’s most vulnerable communities. Contributions from MEETINGS 2025 helped stock kitchens, fill food boxes, and extend healthcare services to those who needed them most. Each token placed toward Auckland City Mission was a step toward hope, dignity, and long-term recovery for hundreds of people facing hardship.

Big Buddy: Mentoring That Changed Young Lives

The third beneficiary, Big Buddy, brought lasting change through its mentorship programme. By matching boys without father figures with strong, positive male role models, Big Buddy helped guide young lives toward confidence and stability. The organisation had already made over 1,200 successful matches across Auckland, Hamilton, Tauranga, and Wellington. Support from the business events community helped fund training, support services, and match coordination, reinforcing the transformative power of consistent mentorship.

Every Token Counted Toward a Greater Purpose

Chris Peak, BEIA’s Head of Event Delivery, said the initiative was designed to give every participant a voice in directing the event’s charitable giving. By simply placing a token, attendees contributed to something much larger than themselves—real, measurable change in the lives of others. This effort not only strengthened the reputation of the events industry as a force for good but also created a shared experience of giving that echoed far beyond the event itself.

MEETINGS 2025 proved that business and kindness are not mutually exclusive. When delegates came together with purpose, their collective impact reached into homes, shelters, kitchens, and classrooms across the country.

Find Out More About the Charities Involved

Pet Refuge: www.petrefuge.org.nz
Auckland City Mission: www.aucklandcitymission.org.nz
Big Buddy: www.bigbuddy.org.nz

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