21st June 2023 By Staff Reporter | news@tourismticker.com | @tourismticker
A warm welcome greeted hundreds of guests at Business Events Industry Aotearoa’s opening of MEETINGS at Te Papa in Wellington, ahead of today’s full programme at Tākina.
The welcome on Tuesday night at the museum featured a mihi whakatu from Te Papa kaihautū / Māori co-leader Dr Arapata Hakiwai, as well as speeches from Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau, BEIA chief executive Lisa Hopkins, and Tourism Minister Peeni Henare, before cocktails were served.
“It’s now time for us to do business and it’s time for us to do it in the flesh,” said Henare.
“That’s why the New Zealand government directly supports MEETINGS 2023 and 2024 – I’m confident that we are now on track for coming back stronger and even better.”
MEETINGS attracted more than 1,000 business events professionals during pre-famils and the conference itself, which concludes on Thursday.
Images from Smoke Photography and BEIA (click to enlarge):
26 Mar 2024 MEETINGS expected to break records
20 Feb 2024 Gallery: New Odyssey Sensory Maze attraction
26 Jan 2024 MEETINGS hosted buyer registrations to open
13 Oct 2023 MEETINGS exhibitor applications to open
11 Oct 2023 Gallery: AHICE welcomes NZ’s hotel industry
