The Professional Conference Organisers Association Inc (PCOA) is supporting Business Events Industry Aotearoa (BEIA) in applauding the New Zealand Government’s move to eliminate a barrier to New Zealand hosting international medical conferences.

In a joint statement, Hon David Seymour, Minister for Regulation, Hon Simeon Brown, Minister of Health, and Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston announced New Zealand laws will be reformed so medicines yet to be consented by Medsafe can be advertised at medical conferences in New Zealand.

This will allow medical conferences in New Zealand to showcase new products and research outcomes for New Zealand medical practitioners by discussing products with company Trade Show exhibitors, the same as is the case in Australia.

Barry Neame, President of PCOA said the announcement by the New Zealand Government will add great value to medical conferences in New Zealand and could have flow on effects for Australian professional conference organisers. This is a great win for the New Zealand business events sector.

Lisa Hopkins, Chief Executive Officer of Business Events Industry Aotearoa (BEIA) said, “BEIA has been advocating for a change to Section 20 of the Medicines Act 1981 for many years and says the recent announcement means medical conference organisers from around the world can now plan with confidence.”

“Conferences provide access to knowledge and innovation, offering insights that can be directly applied to benefit society. This is just one of the many ways the business events sector delivers value beyond economic and tourism contributions.”