BE On Air

With Synthony headlining the MEETINGS Celebration closing event next week, Lisa Hopkins sits down with David Higgins, Founder and Director of Duco Events, a leading New Zealand event management and sports promotion company, and owners of Synthony, who have transformed it from a local annual event to a global touring phenomenon.Captivating audiences with its fusion of electronic dance music, live orchestration, and immersive production. In this episode, David shares the story behind Synthony’s rise and the strategy driving its international expansion. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

BEIA are joined by Taylor Smith, Vice President of Production and Creative at BCD Meetings and Events. Taylor reflects on his two decades of experience in the creative industries, what he has learnt and discusses how he and his teams approach the creative process and are applying it to the business events space.Recorded with thanks to our friends at Frank Podcasts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ahead of the return of Supercars’ to Taupō this weekend, BEIA get under the hood of Tony Quinn to find out what makes him tick. Tony has developed a motorsport empire in New Zealand, including Hampton Downs, Taupō International and the acclaimed Highlands Motorsport Parks. Here Tony chats with Lisa Hopkins about the secrets of his entrepreneurial success, opens up about his legacy and shares his views on the new F1 season and regulations. Recorded with thanks to our friends at Frank Podcasts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Mike sits down with Sam Holdich from Wētā Workshop Unleashed, where imagination meets execution and events. Sam shares how the world-renowned creative studio transforms its magic into unforgettable experiences — and also some great tales of previous employment. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mike talks with Jason Dawson about Air New Zealand’s role in supporting tourism and events across the country. From destination partnerships, events around the release of uniforms and a bit of family chat, this was an insightful, and refreshingly open yarn. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Mike chats with Tony Ujdur, Director of High Performance Travel & Events, about delivering premium, bespoke experiences for clients who expect excellence. Also about the joys of starting an events company right at the onset of Covid and how that helped him find the best people around.A lively chat with some great true yarns. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Daz Martin gives Mike a peek behind the curtain at one of New Zealand’s most active corporate event programmes. Daz brings great experience to his role at Spark and he's a fantastic chat.This yarn was almost twice as long as what we've released here and it was really tough choosing what to cut to get it somewhat closer to ten minutes! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Mike chats with Kim Mundell, founder of Mandeville Association Growth Experts, about how she has come to do what she does and what role her company plays in helping others succeed. Kim shares her perspective on execution and client expectations. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Charlotte Mills joins Mike to talk about Auckland’s positioning on the world stage. As Business Development Manager for Auckland Convention Bureau, Charlotte discusses her role in the business and how she has lost her voice - Spolier: it was karaoke.A fun chat this one! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mike Minogue chats with Henry Horne, the new Sales Manager at Southland Transport World — one of the country’s most unique event venues and private collections. From vintage trucks to large-scale functions, Henry shares his fascinating background and what he's looking forward to in his new role. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mike Minogue sits down with Seamus Marten, Founder and Director of B2B Speakers, a new player shaking up the corporate speaking scene. Seamus shares how the idea grew from a podcast into a fast-growing business, why the old model needed disruption and how business isn't easy!A must-listen for anyone looking to bring sharper storytelling, stronger connections, and better value to their events. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Seamus Marten grabs a few minutes to talk MEETINGS 2025 with BEIA’s Head of Event Delivery, Chris Peak and Exhibition Manager, Michelle Bird, before being joined by leaders from the business events ecosystem, René de Monchy, Scott Tasker and Sven Bossu, to unpack the trends, investments, and opportunities shaping the sector and in particular, Aotearoa New Zealand’s place on the global stage.https://www.beia.co.nz/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.