BECA COLLABORATES WITH CINZ

THE Business Events Council of Australia (BECA) has joined forces with its Kiwi counterpart, Conventions & Incentives New Zealand (CINZ) to jointly work on issues mutually affecting the trans-Tasman business events market.

A new agreement will see the organisations work together on a range of projects including leveraging Government advocacy and in particular pushing for the ability for business event delegates from both countries to travel across the Tasman.

“Business events are such significant economic drivers and a fast way of encouraging trade and investment,” noted BECA Chair, Vanessa Findlay.

“A collaboration between CINZ and BECA will facilitate maximum benefit for both our countries,” she added.

Hopkins noted the differing approach to business events on each side of the Tasman.

“The Australian Government publicly acknowledged the difference between controlled gatherings (e.g. business events) and mass gatherings when they released their three-step COVIDSafe Roadmap, whereas the NZ Government enabled events of up to 100 to go ahead five weeks ago,” she said.

“We would have liked to have seen our Government follow their Australian counterparts and I am sure, vice versa.”

Although NZ is now functioning under Alert Level 1 with no restrictions on any events, both Hopkins and Findlay said it was important to keep an eye on the future.

“Australia and New Zealand are leading the way in managing the pandemic and have shown strong leadership,” Findlay said.

“Working together, both markets can now solidify their position as being safe, trusted destinations for business events,” she added.

When it comes to competitive bids each Association will continue to act in the best interest of their markets.

“However this is a unique relationship at a unique time,” Hopkins added.

“Both Vanessa and I believe a unified voice from this part of the world makes sense, giving customers and our industry greater confidence that it’s safe to attend business events.”