After a week of connecting and doing business, the MEETINGS finale for 675 guests was about celebrating in true Wellington style.

MEETINGS’ Celebration held at TSB Arena’s Shed 6 venue (on Wellington’s waterfront) on Thursday, 22 June, saw a collaboration with the creative team at NW Group, who created an immersive experience for guests from the moment they entered the venue.

MEETINGS Event Manager Chris Peak says guests went all out to dress up for the Absolutely Fabulous theme.

MEETINGS’ Celebration held at TSB Arena’s Shed 6 venue

“As Wellington is renowned for offering something for everyone – so was this evening. We invited guests to join us at Shed 6 dressed ready to party and enjoy great food, local beverages, and excellent entertainment,” he says.

“With first rate entertainment and a few surprises thrown in for good measure, MEETINGS 2023 had the ultimate send-off,” he says.

Supported by Business Events Wellington and Venues Wellington, BEIA partnered with David Greer Music and PME Entertainment Agents for an exciting line-up of local talent, including Taikoza, a Taiko drumming performance group, HIPNOTICS, one of New Zealand’s most popular dance bands and DJ Re: Pete. The event was emceed by New Zealand’s hottest comedy pop-music duo from Johnson & Laird, Two Hearts (Laura Daniel and Joseph Moore). Flock Events are supported with furniture and theming. Greater Wellington Regional Council supplied plants for the event. Red Pebble Events, The Food Lab, Double Vision Brewery, and Southward Distilling were all involved in creating innovative and enticing tastes throughout the evening.

Best Stand Awards 2023

Hosted buyers voted for the MEETINGS 2023 Best Stand awards presented by Meeting Newz magazine.

The winners were:

Best New Exhibitor – HOT Events

The team at HOT Events, headed by Vic Wales, designs and develops experiences that make exceptional memories. Their wealth of knowledge and experience is an asset to the industry, and guarantees guests are not only impressed but also surprised and delighted.

Best Individual Stand Award — Kim Chan Events

Sustainability is at the heart of event design for one of Christchurch’s leading creatives, Kim Chan Events. By using live and native plants that get replanted, harvesting from their own picking garden, and growing foliage and texture plants, Kim Chan Events is giving back to the ecosystem and the community.

Best Regional Stand – RotoruaNZ

RotoruaNZ’s stand captured the warmth of its hospitality (Manaakitanga), its unique landscapes – lakes, rivers, geothermal activity – and its rich Māori culture, making it an exceptional meeting place.

Edited by: Peter Needham in Wellington, New Zealand

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