The event will be held in the Energy Events Centre on June 19 and 20, with the centre having capacity to accommodate 279 exhibition booths in its largest space, the Unison Arena. Other spaces in the venue offer space for an additional 220 booths.
“Rotorua is a magnificent city, the birthplace of the visitor economy for New Zealand, where business events, tourism and hospitality hold a sacred place,” said Lisa Hopkins, chief executive of Business Events Industry Aotearoa (BEIA) which owns and organises MEETINGS.
“Voted Best Regional Stand at MEETINGS 2023, Rotorua is trending as one of New Zealand’s hottest destinations.
“Our intent is to amplify the taonga (cultural treasures) of the city by bringing MEETINGS back to where it all began for New Zealand tourism.
“Its people, manaakitanga (welcome), excellent infrastructure, accessible North Island location, unique landscapes, and rich Māori culture all make it an exceptional meeting place.”
Andrew Wilson, chief executive of Rotorua’s destination agency, RotoruaNZ, said it was a “huge honour” for the region to host MEETINGS again.
“We can’t wait to welcome our industry peers to experience all that our destination has to offer.
“Recent investment into some of our signature spaces, such as the Sir Howard Morrison Centre and the Wai Ariki Hot Springs and Spa, makes Rotorua the ideal place to mix business with pleasure and we look forward to sharing our home and our manaakitanga with buyers and sellers alike.
“It’s important that manuhiri (visitors) not only get to experience New Zealand’s magnificent major cities, but also immerse themselves in a region which built its reputation on manaakitanga when tourism first began in this country,” said Wilson.
RotoruaNZ business events manager Vanessa Wallace said it would be a very special MEETINGS.
“Rotorua is renowned for its strong sense of community and identity, which makes us ideally placed to help organisations deliver authentic and meaningful experiences that will elevate and enhance their conference, meeting or incentive programme.”
Hopkins says New Zealand’s unique culture sets the country apart and MEETINGS 2024 would be another opportunity to give international buyers first-hand experience of it.
“It is of significant interest to our international buyers. We are thrilled to have the opportunity to showcase this, and to tap into the enormously talented community of tourism, hospitality and events experts around the Rotorua region,” she said.
MEETINGS was last held in Rotorua in 2011.
