4 minute read
CASE STUDY: MEETINGS 2023
MEETINGS 2023
New Zealand: New city, new venue
MEETINGS, now in its 27th year, is New Zealand’s only national trade event for the business events industry, run by Business Events Industry Aotearoa (BEIA).
The brief
MEETINGS is a stellar opportunity to showcase the best of New Zealand to influential buyers from key domestic and international markets. It has gone from strength to strength, now with a record number of exhibitors and buyers.
BEIA wanted to showcase New Zealand’s newest — and its second of three, next-generation convention centres — to the world just two weeks after it opened. Working with Business Events Wellington, the Tākina Events team and key partners Tourism New Zealand and Air New Zealand, BEIA ensured guests got out and about to experience Wellington and other regional destinations of their choice during the week.
The challenges
Delivering a superb event for the most discerning audience – leading event organisers – in a brand new venue and a first-time city did not daunt the team.
Superbly designed with lots of natural light, Tākina has a compact exhibition space across two levels. With a record number of exhibitors, the show floor layout and design was crucial to a successful event.
MEETINGS needs to continually develop and inspire, bringing everyone on the journey. In the months leading up to MEETINGS, exhibitors were offered refresher courses to boost their presentation skills and techniques.
With a core focus on sustainability, BEIA has committed to reducing environmental impact and finding a platform to work towards continual reduction of carbon emissions for MEETINGS year-on-year. All emissions needed to be measured, audited in alignment with strict world-leading criteria, and then offset via quality assessed carbon credits.
The event
MEETINGS 2023 was all about people, connections and collaboration. More than 550 buyers and media outlets from across New Zealand, Australia and the world connected for over 6,000 meetings.
As well as a packed exhibition, the TNZ Knowledge and Destination Hub, Celebrity Speaker Showcase and PCO Masterclasses delivered education sessions from New Zealand’s brightest and best changemakers, trendsetters and thought leaders.
The welcome, at Tākina’s sister venue on Wellington’s waterfront – the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa - was steeped in connection to people and place.
The final celebration took place at TSB Arena’s Shed 6. It may have been the shortest day of the year, but it was also the longest night and with a vibrant indoor atmosphere created an outdoor beer and gin garden vibe with an awesome band.
The results
The show was dubbed a huge success, with impressive feedback from buyers, exhibitors and visitors who all praised the event for its organisation, its location, the show floor design, the people it brought together, and the immense spirit of hospitality (manaakitanga).
MEETINGS 2023 is on target to generate an estimated $110million in business from the appointments that took place on the show floor.
This MEETINGS was the most sustainable yet, with a commitment to reducing the event’s greenhouse gas footprint and gaining Toitū net carbonzero certification as a Certified Event Operation.
Instead of receiving gifts, hosted buyers could choose one of three local charities to which BEIA would donate on their behalf. For one charity, Kaibosh food rescue organisation, this significant donation provided over 3,500 meals to local community groups in need.
