June 4, 2021 | By Bronwen Largier
New Zealand’s flagship business events trade show MEETINGS wrapped up with an energetic gala dinner last night which celebrated the show’s first quarter century.
Around 500 people gathered for the dinner at Cordis Auckland, where the show was proclaimed a success and appreciation was flowing about as freely as the beverages.
“I don’t know how you’re all feeling, but my feet are aching and my voice is starting to crack – it’s clear signals we’ve had a great event,” said Business Events Industry Aotearoa Chief Executive Lisa Hopkins to the enthusiastic dinner crowd.
“And how special has it been after the year that was, that here we sit in this absolutely beautiful room with this stunning crowd and we celebrate 25 years of MEETINGS?”
“As I look around this room I can’t help but feel a little emotional.
“I said on the first night that it takes a village to create MEETINGS and it really does,” she said, before thanking virtually all stakeholders, from the sponsors to the hosted buyers and exhibitors. It was a pleasure to be there and see what an industry getting back into almost full swing looks like.
Australia, we are not quite there yet, but we certainly have something to look forward to.
Image: Winners of Best Individual Stand at MEETINGS, Exhibition Hire Services and Coast Group, celebrating their award