©WellingtonNZ_Phoebe MackenzieBusiness Events Wellington (BEW) is celebrating the successful first year of its Legacy Programme, with 12 conferences driving meaningful outcomes for the city and New Zealand.
Over the past 12 months, these events have created new career pathways, influenced regulatory developments, and attracted fresh investment opportunities.
BEW Manager Irette Ferreira highlighted the programme’s dual purpose: to support host organisations in achieving strategic goals while catalysing positive societal change. “By facilitating, measuring, and documenting specific conference activities, we can demonstrate their wider impact beyond the immediate visitor economy,” she said.
Key objectives included strengthening industry connections, boosting diversity, enhancing government engagement, and increasing public awareness of sector-specific career opportunities.
Notably, 82% of attendees reported meeting their primary objectives, with 75% indicating they would apply new insights in their professional roles.
Conference highlights included: APNIC 58, which tackled IT sector diversity, Life Sciences Summit 2024, which influenced government recognition of biotech as a top-three science priority, and Wellington Games Week, a precursor to NZGDC 2024, showcased the region’s dynamic gaming ecosystem.
Looking ahead, Ferreira expressed optimism for 2025: “We’re set to welcome a strong line-up of international conferences, many focused on leaving a lasting legacy in Wellington and Aotearoa. We’re ready to connect them with the right partners to achieve their goals.”