New funding to attract international business events is excellent news for the sector and for the country, Business Events Industry Aotearoa (BEIA) says.

New Zealand’s business events industry body, BEIA says today’s announcement the Government is investing an additional $3 million from the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy will bring valuable international conference and incentive business to the country. The additional activity aims to secure business events for New Zealand that will deliver more than $30 million in incremental spend to the economy.

New Zealand’s Minister of Tourism and Hospitality, Louise Upston made the announcement today at Tākina Wellington Convention and Exhibition Centre.

“To boost conference visitor numbers, it makes sense to supercharge the Conference Assistance Programme work that is already happening in Tourism New Zealand,” Minister Upston said.

BEIA Chief Executive, Lisa Hopkins says this is an exceptional day for our sector of the visitor economy as it demonstrates confidence that business events are a source for growth.

“It signals that New Zealand is actively recognising the importance of business events, and this new funding helps level the playing field with our main competitor, Australia.

“This is a high-spend, high-value sector. The global business events industry is valued at $1.6 trillion USD.

“New Zealand’s business events industry has come of age with investment in world-class infrastructure with new conventions centres, Te Pae Christchurch and Tākina in Wellington, and the New Zealand International Convention Centre in Auckland opening early next year,” Hopkins says.

“The three new convention centres are expected to create 1400 new jobs, over 300,000 room nights annually and direct spend in excess of $150M. This excludes downstream economic contribution or when the international delegate stays on as a tourist and visits other parts of the country.

“Our industry association has been seeking support for the sector for two decades.

“We know that we have brilliant infrastructure and the downstream financial effects are proven. Te Pae Christchurch Convention Centre, for example, is making a significant impact on the national economy.”

According to recent Infometrics analysis, Te Pae contributed $77 million to New Zealand’s GDP and supported 693 full-time equivalent (FTE) jobs across the country for the year to November 2024.

“Business events are much more than economic contributors, they also heavily influence positive outcomes for society, communities, and create long-term legacies, and they lift New Zealand on the world stage,” Hopkins says.

“Business events visitors meet at off-peak times, boosting the visitor spend during the week and throughout winter and shoulder seasons. They stay longer, and spend more than leisure visitors.

“This is a collaborative effort with Tourism New Zealand, regional convention bureaux, professional conference organisers, venues and hotels, and raft of businesses across a broad range of sectors including hospitality, technology, and creative services all working together to create success.

The funding is available to any organisation, including universities, to bid to host an international conference in New Zealand. Support is also available to attract high-value incentive business to New Zealand.

This funding is part of the Tourism Boost package, developed by the Government in partnership with industry to support immediate growth in visitor numbers, drive export activity and deliver economic growth.