Welcome to our weekly wrap-up of MICE News, which covers meetings, incentives, conferences, and events across Australia and around the world. If you are in the MICE industry, this is what you need to know as our writers stay on top of the latest developments.
If you have any MICE news, please send it to kate@travelmonitor.com.au
BEIA backs more coordinated approach to events
Business Events Industry Aotearoa (BEIA) has welcomed the findings of the independent review of New Zealand’s approach to events, and the move towards developing a National Events Strategy.
The review was commissioned by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) to look at how New Zealand’s events system currently performs, with a focus on identifying the changes needed to deliver greater and more consistent public value.
BEIA Chief Executive Lisa Hopkins says the review is an important opportunity to take a more coordinated and strategic approach to how New Zealand attracts, supports and leverages events – including business events.
For more information, visit BEIA.
Australian roadshow highlights strong demand for Queenstown and Wānaka
Strong interest in Queenstown and Wānaka from Australian travel sellers and business events buyers has underlined demand from the region’s largest international visitor market.
Forty-seven operators joined Destination Queenstown (DQ) and Lake Wānaka Tourism (LWT) for the 2026 C&I and Travel Trade Roadshow, with events across Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, and the Gold Coast earlier this week.
DQ and LWT Chief Executive Mat Woods says the response demonstrates the continued appeal of both destinations.
For more information, visit Destination Queenstown (DQ) and Lake Wānaka Tourism.
World Champions Crowned in Darwin as 2026 MXGP Season Wraps Up
The MXGP of Australia welcomed thousands of people to Hidden Valley Motorsport Complex this weekend, as Darwin successfully hosted the final round of the FIM Motocross World Championship – the only place in Australia to see the world’s best motocross riders compete.
From 18–20 September, Darwin delivered a dramatic end to the motocross season, with world titles, race wins and championship positions decided at Hidden Valley.
Five-time World Champion Jeffrey Herlings (KNMV) clinched both Darwin race wins as he finished the 2026 season as world champion for the sixth time. France’s Romain Febvre (FFM) finished the season overall in second place, with Slovenia’s Tim Gajser (AMZS) claiming third in the MXGP category.
For tickets and the latest information, visit MXGP.
Qatar’s 2026/2027 Calendar Brings a ‘World of Events’ to Life
Qatar’s 2026/2027 events calendar brings together more than 560 events, festivals and championships across sport, art and culture, entertainment, family experiences and outdoor activities.
From the roar of Formula 1 at Lusail International Circuit to international football, contemporary art, live entertainment and food festivals, the programme offers visitors more than a single reason to travel. It creates opportunities to build an itinerary around the events that interest them and discover more of Qatar along the way.
Together, these experiences form A World of Events in Qatar: a year-round programme that connects major international occasions with the country’s museums, galleries, dining scene, coastline and desert landscapes.
For more information, go to Visit Qatar.
Auckland Secures ICCC50 for New Zealand in Major International Conference Win
New Zealand has successfully secured the right to host the 50th International Conference on Coordination Chemistry (ICCC50), with the prestigious global event set to take place in Auckland in 2034.
The conference is expected to attract between 1,000 and 1,200 delegates from around the world and will be held over six days at the New Zealand International Convention Centre (NZICC). ICCC50 will bring together leading researchers, academics, emerging scientists and industry representatives from across the international coordination chemistry community.
For more information, visit Tourism New Zealand.
