MEETINGS 2026

On 17 and 18 June, the New Zealand International Convention Centre (NZICC) welcomed MEETINGS 2026, bringing together the best of Aotearoa at the country’s largest national trade show dedicated to the business events industry. As Auckland and Aotearoa’s newest conference and exhibition centre, NZICC provided the ideal backdrop for an event brimming with colour, creativity and connections. From a hobbit hole direct from Matamata to pounamu carving from Ōtautahi Christchurch, MEETINGS showcased the breadth of New Zealand’s regional experiences.

As the largest Auckland conference centre, NZICC offered the scale and flexibility needed to bring MEETINGS 2026 to life, all in one place.

Fast facts

• 2 days
• 270 exhibitor stands
• 600 buyers from New Zealand, Australia, India, China, Japan, North America and Southeast Asia
• 1,500 attendees
• 8,000 pre-scheduled appointments connecting event buyers with exhibitors

The events industry on show at NZICC

Business Events Industry Aotearoa (BEIA) is the association that represents the people, organisations and regions that make up New Zealand’s business events industry, and MEETINGS is the biggest moment in their annual calendar. It brings event decision-makers from across New Zealand, Australia and all over the world and connects them directly with the local heroes that make them happen. Every one of the exhibitors brings their A-game and the positive energy in the room is palpable.

As Michael Shah, BEIA’s Exhibition Manager for MEETINGS explains, “MEETINGS is a very interactive event. The buyers are all keen to connect with people, and the exhibitors really go out of their way with exciting stands and activations. This venue really allowed them to bring their products to life.”

From the Hobbiton set, complete with running water, living plants and birdsong, to a recreation of Air New Zealand’s new Economy Skynest™ sleep pods, to incredible food being served on the stands themselves, Ariki Hall – used at its full size of 6,700 square metres of exhibition space – was the ideal home for Aotearoa’s awesome offering.

Inside Auckland’s leading conference centre

It wasn’t just the exhibition hall that came alive: Te Paepae Theatre also played a key role hosting both the opening and closing ceremonies. It was first used as a seated auditorium for a vibrant cultural show, and then transformed into a flat space complete with dance floor so attendees could party to Synthony, a collaboration between orchestras, DJs and live vocalists. Te Wharau gallery became an elegant space for keynote speakers, and Te Waha was the perfect spot for drinks, canapés and photo opportunities as the event kicked off.

Chris Peak, Head of Event Delivery at BEIA, said, “The amount of space that NZICC has available and the ability to host everything that MEETINGS needed in the same venue was a real game changer this year. To have the opening event and the final celebration in the same theatre, but with a completely different configuration, was incredible.”

Captivating cultural moments

The opening night began with a powerful pōwhiri and then went on to showcase the cultural diversity of Tāmaki Makaurau with a Pasifika fire performance, Indian bhangra dancers and Chinese lions coming through the aisles and across the stage.

As Chris explained, “We worked closely with Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei to plan the pōwhiri, and then the entertainment really showcased the full cultural breadth of Auckland as a host city. Because we had so many entertainers, we needed numerous green rooms – more than we've ever needed before – so having that space easily accessible was brilliant from an organisational perspective.”

Planning to pack-in made easy at NZICC 

Of course, a major event like MEETINGS is not only many months in the planning but incredibly complex to set up, with numerous moving parts to manage. Michael explains, “We had 200 subcontractors coming to pack into the building over four days, but with the NZICC exhibition hall we could open a door directly onto the street and drive trucks in. We had three trucks packing in prior to the event, and having that access and that level of infrastructure right in front of us made it seamless.”

Chris praised the partnership with NZICC for easing any pre-event fears. “The planning team has been absolutely fantastic. We were in touch with them for the best part of a year leading up to the event, and whenever we needed something, they were really responsive. During pack in, the operations team, planning team and security team were outstanding. They really couldn’t do enough for us. We had some great systems in place which were really backed up by those teams.”

Sustainable impact

A big priority for BEIA was to create an event that was impressive in scale and flair but had minimal environmental impact. “Sustainability is always front of mind when putting on an event like this, so it’s really great to be able to partner with a venue that has that as part and parcel of their operations,” Chris explains. “The reusable cups for the coffee cart, the conversations we had around how catering could be managed to reduce food waste, and the way NZICC was able to incorporate initiatives of ours… it was just fantastic to work with a venue that has that forefront of mind as well.”

Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland: a destination of choice

Auckland's role as host city was also key to the event's success. Located in the heart of Tāmaki Makaurau, NZICC is surrounded by premium accommodation, renowned restaurants and entertainment, which made it easy for hosted buyers and exhibitors to connect, network and experience the city. Combined with Auckland's airport connectivity, these advantages demonstrate the appeal of Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland as a business events destination.

With MEETINGS set to return to NZICC for the next three years, attendees can plan with confidence, knowing they'll benefit from the convenience, connectivity and energy of Tāmaki Makaurau's newest convention centre.

The NZICC difference

Adding to the atmosphere at MEETINGS 2026 were a range of special touches, such as people in costumes roaming the floor – from disco ball divas to drag queens – and plates of stunning food from NZICC, offering a taste of Aotearoa on the stand. 

Then there was the beauty of the venue itself. “One thing I personally really enjoyed was that the exhibition hall has natural light,” says Michael. “There aren’t a lot of exhibition halls where you can feel the elements of the outside coming in.”

Chris agrees that NZICC itself became part of the magic. “The impact it has on attendees when they arrive – walking into that beautiful atrium, welcomed by the fantastic team and then coming into the exhibition hall – was brilliant. I think that contributed to why the energy in the room was so great.”

“From seeing it on paper to seeing it come to life has been a wonderful journey for us,” adds Michael.