Monday, February 16, 2026
7:30 AM - 8:00 AM
Arrival Tea and Coffee
 
8:00 AM - 8:15 AM
Welcome and Mihi Whakatau – Ngati Whatua
 
8:15 AM - 8:20 AM
SkyCity CEO Jason Walbridge
 
8:20 AM - 8:30 AM
Hon. Louise Upston, Minister for Tourism & Hospitality
 
8:30 AM - 8:40 AM
Desley Simpson, Deputy Mayor, Auckland City
 
8:40 AM - 8:50 AM
Shane Vuletich, Managing Director, Fresh Info
 
8:50 AM - 9:30 AM
Business Panel: Auckland’s New Economic Engine: What NZICC Unlocks for the City and New Zealand

Simon Bridges, Chief Executive, Auckland Business Chamber
Viv Beck, Chief Executive, Heart of the City
Rupert Hodson, Executive Director, Committee for Auckland
Alan McDonald, Head of Advocacy, Strategy and Finance, Employers and Manufacturers Association
 

9:30 AM - 10:00 AM
Global Industry Panel

Peter King, Chair, ABEA (Australia Business Events Association)
Sven Bossu, Chief Executive, AIPC (International Association of Convention Centres)
Lisa Hopkins, Chief Executive, BEIA (Business Events Industry Aotearoa)
 

10:00 AM - 10:30 AM
Steven Joyce
 
10:30 AM
Networking, Morning Tea and NZICC Tours available