Applications have officially opened for the hosted buyer programme for MEETINGS 2026, set to be held at the New Zealand International Convention Centre (NZICC) in Tāmaki Makaurau, Auckland, on 17–18 June 2026 — marking the event’s debut at the world-class venue.
MEETINGS is run by Business Events Industry Aotearoa’s (BEIA) and its hosted buyer programme is open to key decision makers and organisers of business events, including conferences, tradeshows and travel incentives from Australia and New Zealand.
BEIA Chief Executive, Lisa Hopkins, says business events professionals from across the Tasman and around the world are eager to be part of MEETINGS 2026 at the NZICC, and hosted buyer applications are opening earlier this year to reflect this interest.
“We can’t wait to debut the NZICC and Auckland city’s new infrastructure to the who’s who of the business events industry and show them first-hand the dynamic changes in the heart of New Zealand’s largest city,” she says.
“They include an extensive upgrade programme for Auckland Airport, one of the largest infrastructure investments in the country, plus the new City Rail Link project, and 18,000 new hotel rooms in the region.”
Hosted Buyers receive complimentary travel, accommodation, invitations to premium networking events, including the MEETINGS’ official Opening and Celebration, and catering throughout the tradeshow across three days in the multi-functional spaces at the NZICC.
Fully-hosted buyers can book a curated selection of 32 appointments over two days from a choice of over 250 exhibiting organisations and 18 different regions. For New Zealand business event organisers, both one and two-day hosted buyer options are available.
“This year’s appointment schedule gives hosted buyers flexibility to expand their availability to ensure a greater chance of meeting preferred exhibitors.
“Across one show floor and two days, we have the best suppliers in the business events industry in New Zealand, including regional bureaux, hotels, venues, event management companies, activity and other creative and innovative service providers,” Hopkins says.
Hosted buyers also have the chance to join Auckland and regional familiarisation programmes, including a one-day famil of the host city with the Auckland Convention Bureau on Tuesday, 16 June. Access to the latest information at the Tourism New Zealand Destination and Knowledge Hub, and the Celebrity Speakers Showcase will be drawcards for hosted buyers too.
Conference organisers visiting the 100% Pure New Zealand stand at the PCOA25 conference in Christchurch this December can apply to be fully hosted at MEETINGS next year.
Applications are now open online on the MEETINGS 2026 website.
