About us

Our vision

Our vision is to elevate the events sector within New Zealand. By working, learning, innovating and celebrating together, we grow.

You can find our 2022 strategy here.

Our history

The NZEA is a voluntary organisation formed under the Incorporated Societies Act 1908 on 12 September 2005. The Association was established as the New Zealand Association of Event Professionals (NZAEP) in response to industry demand for a recognised body to represent the burgeoning events industry in New Zealand.

The Association's principle was to bring professionals together
to focus on the industry as a whole and to act as a voice for that industry and its members.

  • Loren is ChristchurchNZ’s General Manager of Destination and Attraction, tasked with enhancing and exploring the visitor experience in Ōtautahi Christchurch through her leadership of the ChristchurchNZ Convention Bureau, the Canterbury Film Office, and International Education teams. She also oversees major events and tourism, destination management and industry liason responsibilities.​

    Loren has extensive experience in senior tourism roles, including with Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development (ATEED), Ngati Whatua Orakei and Nelson Tasman Tourism.

  • Events Manager, Napier City Council

    Kevin has over 20 years' experience in the events industry, currently Event Manager for Napier City he has been involved in various Hawkes Bay events over the years managed HB Blues Brews & BBQ festival for 12 years. Previous roles have included being Commercial Manager for Sport Hawke's Bay and has had a strong relationship with Hawke's Bay Tourism over the years.

    Kevin has a passion for music and he is involved with a trust that has recently established the www.hbmusichub.co.nz to showcase Hawke's Bay artists.

    His current role with Napier City includes overseeing the event fund and developing new opportunities for the city to host as well as supporting / marketing over 30 local events annually.

    Kevin has taken on the role of Interim Chair while Loren Heaphy is on parental leave.

  • CEO of the Wellington Culinary Events Trust (WCET) & Director of Food + Drink New Zealand

    Sarah is CEO of the Wellington Culinary Events Trust (WCET) and Director of Food + Drink New Zealand. The WCET delivers some of NZ’s largest food and beverage events including Visa Wellington On a Plate, Beervana, the Road to Beervana and Highball. These events were created with the principal objective of "promoting Wellington as the premium NZ food and beverage destination" focused on attracting out-of-town visitors.

    Sarah has taken on the role of Interim Deputy Chair as Kevin Murphy steps into the Interim Chair role while Loren Heaphy is on parental leave.

  • Onfield Solutions Ltd

    Bevan had more than 10 years’ experience in corporate finance roles before moving into events. His first event role was the small matter of managing the budget and the procurement function for Rugby World Cup 2011. At the conclusion of RWC2011 Bevan setup Onfield Solutions with a view to providing event organisers with corporate and business support and services. Utilising his corporate experience, Bevan has delivered a significant number of projects, ranging from strategic planning, business planning, feasibility studies, funding applications and bid work through to post event reporting and evaluation. Bevan joined the NZEA Board in May 2019, had his second child in Jan 2019 and hasn’t slept since.

The current Board is made up of eight influential figures in the event landscape who give their time voluntarily in this governance role. They represent a spread of expertise, sectors and geographical locations.

Meet the Board

  • CEO, Blerter

    Chris is CEO of Blerter, an event delivery platform for integrated communications, operations and safety. He also supports a multitude of events with his event consultancy RNDLX, providing strategic and operational capability across a diverse portfolio. Chris is an expert in organisation and event development and a leader in health, safety and risk.

  • JT, NZEA board member since 2019, brings 20+ years experience in management and leadership across events, arts and culture, and brand marketing. As GM and Board company secretary of leading disability arts organisation Touch Compass, and as a member of the NZEA governance group he champions strategy, cultural competency, diversity, a11y, sustainability and social inclusion.

    JT is a bi-cultural Maori (Ngāti Porou / Whakatōhea) infusing his mahi with core values of Manaakitanga - Kotahitanga - Whanaungatanga Wairuatanga - Kaitiakitanga

  • Marketing & Strategic Partnerships Lead - Major Events/Business Events, Auckland Unlimited

    Mark started as an event promoter in Australia before working in sponsorship and marketing in the UK on events such as London Fashion Week, F1, the EPL and Glastonbury. In NZ he has owned event-focused agencies working with RNV, Volvo Ocean Race, RWC2011 and Splore. Mark now leads Marketing and Strategic Partnerships at Auckland Unlimited’s Major Events team, bringing the world’s biggest events and artists to NZ.

  • Event Operations Manager, Dunedin Venues Management Ltd

    Brenna is the Event Operations Manager at Dunedin Venues Management Ltd (DVML) and is responsible for leading a team of highly skilled and motivated Event Managers and Co-ordinators. Brenna and her team deliver a wide range of events, from multi-day conferences to major sporting codes and concerts. Brenna’s strengths are in operations and event management along with people leadership and strong industry relationships.

    Brenna was awarded the 2018 NZEA Best Emerging Event Professional award following the successful delivery of three sold-out Ed Sheeran shows in Dunedin.

    The Board Observer programme enables up and coming leaders in the events sector to gain governance experience by working alongside the NZEA Board.

Meet the Team

Our small but mighty management team includes our General Manager, Elaine Linnell, and our Association Administrator, Wendy Wilson.

Elaine Linnell - General Manager
Elaine has a background in event management, sponsorship and marketing. Having worked in corporate, not-for-profit and sporting events in both New Zealand and the UK.

Wendy Wilson - Association Administrator
Wendy has a background in events management and facilitation in both the private sector and local government. She enjoys connecting with members and delivering meaningful benefits to events professionals.

Contact us

Do you have a question for our team? We would love to hear from you. Or you can email us at info@nzea.co.