I typically do not sleep well on planes. I always feel like I’m coming in and out of a fever dream, so the nearly 13-hour flight to New Zealand made me apprehensive. Flying business class with Air New Zealand, however, was a gamechanger. The meals, service and sleeping arrangements were top-notch, and I landed more rested and ready to explore than I ever have after a long-haul flight.
That rest was essential because the adventure ahead would require all my senses to be at peak capacity.
For many people, me included, New Zealand is best known as the backdrop for films such as King Kong, The Piano and Peter Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies.
But New Zealand is far more than the setting for someone else’s story. It is a destination that invites attendees to step inside one of their own.
A Welcome Rooted in Belonging
Mere moments after arriving in Queenstown, our group was taken to a cultural welcome organized by ROAM DMC. Joe Waide, a local Māori representative from WanaHaka, led us through a mihi whakatau, explaining that haka was not simply a performance. It was a physical expression of belonging and a way to connect us to the land beneath our feet.
By the end, one thing was clear: We weren’t being entertained. We were being welcomed.
From there, we boarded a KJet boat for an exhilarating transfer across Lake Wakatipu into the heart of Queenstown.
Meetings Near the Mountains
Many of Queenstown’s venues overlook Lake Wakatipu and the surrounding mountains, allowing the scenery to become part of the event experience.
Hulbert House, an intimate historic hotel that once hosted former President Barack Obama, offers the privacy and character suited to C-suite gatherings and executive retreats.
My home base, QT Queenstown, recently underwent a renovation and offers groups a convenient balance. It is removed enough from downtown to feel quiet, but close enough for attendees to reach the city center on foot. Shuttle service is also available.
At Eichardt’s Private Hotel, one staff member stepped into the role of former owner Julia Eichardt during dinner, bringing her influence on Queenstown’s hospitality industry to life by answering our questions about the hotel and Julia’s life and impact on Queenstown.
Rosewood Matakauri provides a more secluded option for smaller groups seeking privacy, while Headwaters Eco Lodge pairs retreat-style programming with an environmentally conscious approach and a deeper connection to the surrounding landscape.
Core Memory Maker
One of my favorite experiences was the Dart River Wilderness Jet. Every day on the river is different, and high water levels gave our driver plenty of opportunities to speed and spin across the water.
Our next adventure was a helicopter ride with multiple alpine landings. From above, I could see tiny details along the mountainside while still feeling overwhelmed by the immensity of everything around me.
Standing speechless during one landing, looking across the ranges we had flown over, I realized I still couldn’t fully comprehend the experience. For planners and their guests, moments like this do more than impress. They become core memories.
Don’t miss: Walter Peak High Country Farm, where working sheepdogs, friendly animals and beautiful event spaces made me feel as though I had wandered into a New Zealand storybook.
Auckland Through an Immersive Lens
My Auckland home base was Sofitel Auckland Viaduct Harbour, located near MEETINGS 2026 at New Zealand International Convention Centre. There, we connected with vendors from across the country, visited the Hobbiton booth and even stepped inside a recreation of Frodo Baggins’ home. I told my host they had officially “broken my happy meter.”
At the Christchurch booth, I received a pounamu necklace made from the treasured greenstone that holds deep significance in Māori culture.
That evening, we attended an event at Wētā Workshop Unleashed, an immersive attraction created by the studio known for its film props, costumes and creature design. By then, everyone knew I was a major Lord of the Rings fan, so when the Wētā team asked for a volunteer to become an elf, my group unanimously nominated me. Being transformed into a warrior-princess elf is something I will never forget.
Another standout Auckland activity was a guided walking food tour through downtown with Aucky Walky Tours.
The All Blacks Experience offered an immersive and interactive introduction to the history and culture of New Zealand’s national rugby team. Even as someone who isn’t familiar with rugby, I found its lessons on leadership, accountability and team-building inspiring. It was fascinating to hear how the All Blacks approach teamwork and lift one another up. We even received personalized jerseys, making us honorary members of the team.
We later attended the MEETINGS 2026 closeout celebration, an event called “Synthony,” which featured a rotating group of singers performing with the Auckland Symphony Orchestra. It was a stellar example of the beauty and power of bringing people together.
More spaces to check out: Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki, Matakana Village, Brick Bay Wines & Sculpture Trail, Te Arai Links, JW Marriott Auckland and Park Hyatt Auckland.
This article appears in the September 2026 issue. You can subscribe to the magazine here.
