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| Auckland |
Hosted by Business Events Industry Aotearoa (BEIA), the annual showcase brought together hundreds of influential buyers, exhibitors, tourism professionals, venue operators and event specialists from across New Zealand and around the world. The event highlighted the strength, resilience and future growth potential of New Zealand's thriving business events sector.
The gathering also marked a significant milestone for the industry, with the announcement that MEETINGS would continue to be hosted at Auckland's NZICC for the next three years, providing stability and long-term confidence for exhibitors, buyers and stakeholders.
Auckland Secured The Future Of MEETINGS
One of the most important announcements during MEETINGS 2026 was confirmation that the trade show would remain at the New Zealand International Convention Centre through to 2029.
The announcement was made during the official opening ceremony attended by approximately 750 delegates, industry leaders and invited guests. The decision followed extensive consultation and strategic planning by the BEIA Board, which recognised the importance of providing consistency and certainty for New Zealand's largest business events showcase.
The commitment to Auckland and the NZICC ensured exhibitors and buyers could confidently plan future participation while allowing organisers to further enhance the event experience over the coming years.
The move was widely welcomed throughout the industry as a positive step that would support continued growth and international recognition for MEETINGS.
NZICC Showcased World-Class Conference Infrastructure
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| MEETINGS 2026 |
Located in the heart of Auckland, the NZICC offered delegates easy access to premium hotels, restaurants, entertainment precincts, transport services and visitor attractions. The purpose-built venue demonstrated New Zealand's capability to host large-scale international conferences and exhibitions while delivering exceptional delegate experiences.
For many international buyers attending the event, the convention centre itself became a powerful selling point for future conferences, incentive programmes and corporate events considering New Zealand as a destination.
The venue's modern design, advanced technology and flexible event spaces helped create an ideal environment for networking, business meetings and industry collaboration.
Hundreds Of Buyers Connected With New Zealand Suppliers
A key reason for the success of MEETINGS 2026 was the strong attendance of hosted buyers from domestic and international markets.
More than 600 buyers from New Zealand, Australia, North America, China, India, Japan and Southeast Asia participated in the event. These influential decision-makers met with exhibitors representing 18 regions throughout New Zealand and more than 220 organisations.
The extensive appointment programme enabled destinations, accommodation providers, convention centres, event suppliers and activity operators to showcase their products and services directly to those responsible for organising future business events.
The networking opportunities generated valuable commercial outcomes while helping build relationships that are expected to benefit New Zealand's visitor economy for years to come.
Celebrating Auckland’s Diverse Culture
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| Kotahitanga – One People, Many Cultur |
Supported by Auckland Convention Bureau, a division of Tātaki Auckland Unlimited, and created by Oystar Creative, the production titled Kotahitanga – One People, Many Cultures brought the spirit of Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland to life.
Through music, dance and artistic expression, the performance highlighted the multicultural nature of New Zealand's largest city while celebrating connection, inclusion and community. Delegates were given an authentic welcome that reflected the unique cultural richness that international visitors can experience throughout Auckland and New Zealand.
The performance reinforced the importance of incorporating cultural storytelling into business events and showcased how meaningful experiences can enhance delegate engagement.
Business Events Continued To Drive Economic Growth
The success of MEETINGS 2026 reflected the broader importance of the business events sector to New Zealand's economy.
Business events generate substantial visitor spending, support employment and deliver year-round tourism benefits to destinations throughout the country. Unlike many leisure visitors, conference and incentive delegates often spend more on accommodation, dining, transport and experiences.
According to industry figures, New Zealand's multi-day conferences generated approximately $925 million in expenditure during 2025, demonstrating the significant value of the sector.
As the national industry association, BEIA continued to advocate for growth opportunities while supporting members through education, accreditation programmes, professional development and strategic planning initiatives.
Approaching A Historic Milestone
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| MEETINGS 2026 |
Over three decades, the event has become New Zealand's most important marketplace for the meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions sector. Thousands of event planners, organisers and decision-makers have attended MEETINGS, helping generate billions of dollars in economic activity across New Zealand.
Its longevity highlights the enduring value of face-to-face business connections and the importance of the sector in supporting regional economies.
Regional New Zealand Remained A Key Focus
One of the defining features of MEETINGS continued to be its commitment to showcasing the diversity of destinations throughout New Zealand.
Supported by the New Zealand Convention Bureau network, regional familiarisation programmes remained an important part of the event. These programmes enabled buyers to experience destinations first-hand and gain a deeper understanding of the unique venues, attractions, accommodation options and cultural experiences available throughout the country.
From major cities to regional centres, New Zealand's business events offering continued to evolve, providing organisers with a wide range of options for future meetings and conferences.
Industry Attention Turned To Christchurch
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The BEIA Annual Conference 2026 and The Bizzies Awards were scheduled to take place at Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre in Ōtautahi Christchurch from 27 to 29 October 2026.
These events were expected to continue the industry's momentum while recognising excellence, innovation and leadership within New Zealand's business events community.
A Strong Future For New Zealand Business Events
MEETINGS 2026 demonstrated why New Zealand remains an increasingly attractive destination for conferences, meetings, exhibitions and incentive travel. The event successfully connected international buyers with local suppliers, showcased world-class infrastructure and celebrated the people and cultures that make New Zealand unique.
With Auckland confirmed as the host city for the next three years, the future of MEETINGS appeared secure, providing a strong platform for continued industry growth and international engagement.
As the business events sector continued to evolve, MEETINGS remained at the centre of New Zealand's efforts to attract high-value visitors, strengthen regional economies and showcase the country to the world.
Business Events Industry Aotearoa (BEIA)
Website: https://www.beia.co.nzMEETINGS New Zealand Website: https://www.meetings.co.nz
New Zealand International Convention Centre (NZICC) Website: https://www.nzicc.co.nz
Tātaki Auckland Unlimited Website: https://www.aucklandnz.com
Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre Website: https://www.tepae.co.nz
For more travel, tourism and business events news from around the world, visit the daily online edition of The Holiday and Travel Magazine at https://theholidayandtravelmagazine.blogspot.com/
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