The 2025 BEIA Conference marked a critical inflection point for New Zealand’s business-events sector. This year’s edition was so much more than a traditional gathering - it signalled a sector stepping confidently into its next chapter.
A standout moment was the launch of Te Haeata, a new nationwide vocational qualification for business-events professionals. This initiative represents a long-term commitment to building workforce capability and supporting the Tourism Growth Roadmap. Our Managing Director Louise Ryburn was incredibly proud to be involved in the early stages of this programme, and it’s easy to see why. Te Haeata is exactly what our industry needs to grow, professionalise, and ultimately position New Zealand as world-class on the global stage.
Adding to the momentum was the debut of our inaugural industry-wide awards evening, The Bizzies - a vibrant celebration of excellence, innovation, and impact across Aotearoa’s business-events community.
Attending BEIA 2025 wasn’t just about showing up. It was about witnessing and contributing to an industry rethinking its future, investing in its people, and raising the bar for what comes next.
Key Themes & Learnings from BEIA 2025
• People and skill-building are at the heart of our future
Te Haeata; New Zealand’s first online business-events qualification - underscores something essential: our people are our greatest asset. As global and economic conditions continue to evolve, the real differentiator won’t be venues or technology alone. It will be the people who can deliver, adapt, innovate, and create experiences that matter.
This programme is a major milestone, and one that will have ripple effects for years to come.
• The sector is embracing optimism, innovation and collaboration - not doom and gloom
Yes, the past year has been tough, with events down around 30%. But the tone at BEIA was anything but negative. The conversation was forward-looking and future-focused.
Speakers emphasised resilience, adaptation, and opportunity. Key discussions centred around:
- AI and its role in shaping experience design
- The importance of wellbeing and workplace culture
- The essential role business events play in New Zealand’s tourism and economic landscape
The creation of The Bizzies further reinforced a renewed sense of pride and purpose: a celebration of the creativity and contribution that keep this industry moving forward
• Gen Z voices and younger leaders are gaining influence in powerful, meaningful ways
One of the most inspiring moments came from Alexia Hilbertidou - a force of nature at just 26 years old. Her session captured what Gen Z stands for and what they now expect from the world of business: ambition, inclusivity, values-driven action, and a future-focused mindset.
Her message was clear and compelling:
“You are never too young to lead and create change.”
In a sector built on creativity, innovation, and forward thinking, this was a call to embrace younger leadership and make space for new ideas.
• Media, communication and global perspective remain central but with a refreshed lens
Our industry doesn’t operate in a vacuum, and as Liam Dann highlighted in his opening session, the global media lens has an enormous influence on perception and business confidence.
His optimistic reminder “things are looking up” challenged us not to let sensational headlines overshadow the real trends. His insights into communication, connection, and the value of emerging markets like China and India were timely and energising.
His message was simple:
Stay connected. Stay curious. Stay globally minded.
And above all, communicate clearly and authentically.
What This Means for Us:
To keep building a thriving, resilient, world-class industry, we need to:
✔ Invest in people
Grow skills, open pathways, and nurture the next generation of leaders.
✔ Embrace younger leadership and diverse perspectives
Innovation comes from fresh thinking - let’s welcome it.
✔ Focus on storytelling and communication
Clear, optimistic, authentic communication will shape how others see us.
✔ Think global and stay connected
Opportunities expand when we widen our networks and our mindset.
✔ Celebrate success, innovation and impact
Recognising excellence isn’t just good for morale it strengthens our industry.
