Business Events Industry Aotearoa (BEIA) hosted 500 business event professionals for its 25th-anniversary celebration of MEETINGS at the Cordis Hotel in Auckland, including 50 visiting buyers and event planners from Australia.
“This has been a night everyone needed and deserved. MEETINGS has marked a turning point for our industry, and a quarter of a century after our first gathering, this is a coming-together to be truly celebrated,” said BEIA Chief Executive, Lisa Hopkins.
“We wanted to honour the industry in style with our friends, partners, customers, suppliers, and whanāu at a lush, glamorous, black-tie dinner,” she said.
“It takes a village to create MEETINGS. Our principal sponsor Air New Zealand, industry partner Tourism New Zealand, host city Tamaki Makaurau Auckland, Event Technology partner EventsAIR, expo partner Peek Exhibitions, and all our brilliant family of sponsors thank you for your unwavering support.
“To the exhibitors, thanks for keeping the faith and believing in this event as the beginning of our way back. This show looked absolutely beautiful, and you have all been in lockstep with us as we navigated this journey,” she said.
The organisers say the formal evening, full of entertainment and silver-themed sparkle, included a delicious three-course dining experience created by Cordis Auckland Executive Chef, Volker Marecek and his team, paired with matching fine New Zealand wines.
One of New Zealand’s most-recognised entertainers and presenters, Te Radar was master of ceremonies for the evening, sponsored by Johnson and Laird. As a celebrated comedian and satirist, with a string of awards including the country’s highest accolades for television and comedy, Te Radar received a warm reception from guests
“As always at MEETINGS we have to thank The Production Agency for enthralling entertainment. Our 25th anniversary was exceptional, with a show-stopping performance from virtuoso violinist, Hannah Fang,” Lisa Hopkins says.
The Production Agency entertainment also included soulful jazz from Chris Melville and Clo Chaperon, elegant live acoustic music from the Izzie and Moe Duo, and dancing until late with the sensational band, Halo.
Best Stand Awards 2021
This year Meeting Newz presented MEETINGS 2021 Awards for exhibitors, judged by a panel of industry leaders.
The Meeting Newz MEETINGS 2021 Stand Award winners were:
Best New Exhibitor – The Hotel Britomart
Judges said Hotel Britomart stood out for its smart presentation, beautiful imagery and great storytelling about sustainability.
Honourable mentions also went to Congress Rentals, BrewBus and Smoke Photo and Video.
Best Individual Stand Award —Exhibition Hire Services/Coast Group
The judges said this was the closest award of the show. It was a highly impactful and visual stand, and they noted smiling faces engaging in their work and making connections.
Honourable mentions also went to The Events Group, Naumi Hotels and The Production Agency.
Best Regional Stand – Auckland
The judges said Auckland provided a wonderful, central meeting space, with professional people on the stand. Their hand-sanitiser-making station was a great touch.
The 26th MEETINGS conference is scheduled for Christchurch, at the soon to be completed Te Pae Convention Centre.
