New Zealand’s prime minister Jacinda Ardern announced on June 3 that gatherings of any scale can start taking place in the country starting from next week.
Conventions and Incentives New Zealand chief executive Lisa Hopkins said the industry is pleased to be accelerating the return to business, starting with a domestic audience.
“We want people to understand business events are the safest type of event you can hold, because they are highly organised and managed by professionals who work under strict codes of practice.
“Our message is it is safe to hold a conference, seminar, workshop, incentive travel event and gala dinner under already-developed and enhanced track, tracing, health and hygiene standards. We will also be working with the broader events sector to develop a voluntary code, to support New Zealand’s efforts in the key area of public health,” Hopkins said in a statement.
Industry heads have also spoken positively about the move.
Brett Jeffrey, general manager, Australasian (NZ) Society of Association Executives, commented: “This is a positive step forward and will go a long way to providing much needed reassurance that planning for association conferences can begin in earnest.”
Arna Wahl Davies, chair of the CINZ Approved Professional Conference Organisers (PCO) Group added: “As accredited event professionals, we will be voluntarily working to ensure the highest possible standards of hygiene, tracking and tracing to ensure business events are safe now and in future.”
