Association Leaders Meet Face-to-Face in Rotorua

Leaders from 11 New Zealand tourism, hospitality, and event associations gathered in Rotorua last week for a face-to-face meeting to discuss industry issues and priorities.

The Backpacker Youth and Adventure Tourism Association (BYATA), Regional Tourism New Zealand (RTNZ), the Board of Airline Representatives of New Zealand (BARNZ), Hotel Council Aotearoa (HCA); Hospitality New Zealand (HNZ); the New Zealand Airports Association (NZAA), the New Zealand Cruise Association (NZCA), Tourism Export Council New Zealand (TECNZ), the New Zealand Event Association (NZEA); Business Events Industry Aotearoa (BEIA), and Tourism Industry Aotearoa (TIA) all came together at MEETINGS on 19 June.

BEIA Chief Executive, Lisa Hopkins says this was a pivotal time for leaders to meet for meaningful discussions. “There is a lot going on in the industry at the moment, so the opportunity to have counterparts from other associations come together at MEETINGS was an opportunity too good to miss,” she says. “It was also a great opportunity for the sector leaders to experience MEETINGS itself, and to feel the manaakitanga of the destination with such a warm welcome in Rotorua.

“It's important our members understand there is collaboration, conversation and discussion across the associations on issues which matter to us all. Together we offer a singular, aligned voice to communicate our joint priorities,” she says.

More than 1,200 people attended the two day event at Rotorua's Energy Events Centre. Exhibitors from across 16 regions of New Zealand record 246 stands including 35 first-time exhibitors showcased their business events' products to over 400 buyers from New Zealand, Australia, South East Asia, Hong Kong and North America.