Hamish Saxton, Chief Executive of Hawke’s Bay Tourism, has been named the recipient of the Business Events Industry Aotearoa’s (BEIA) Outstanding Contributor Award for 2023. The award was presented at the BEIA Conference, held at the Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre in Marlborough on September 20th.

BEIA Chief Executive Lisa Hopkins expressed the industry's gratitude and admiration for Hamish Saxton's significant contributions. She noted that each year, one exceptional individual is chosen to be celebrated by the industry for their dedication and achievements.

Saxton has been at the helm of Hawke’s Bay Tourism for the past four years, during which he has played a pivotal role in its success. Before taking up his role in Hawke’s Bay, he spent 13 years at Tourism Dunedin, six of which were as its Chief Executive. His international experience includes serving as Tourism Dunedin’s offshore manager in Australia and establishing a new cultural visitor experience in Toronto, Canada.

Lisa Hopkins commended Saxton for embodying his organisation’s mission statement, which is to "let's get on with it." Despite facing significant challenges, including the impact of Cyclone Gabrielle and the global pandemic, Saxton has been instrumental in ensuring that Hawke’s Bay remains a vibrant business events destination. His efforts have also contributed to the recognition of the business events sector as a valued contributor to the economy and the community.

In addition to his recent accolade, earlier this year, Hawke’s Bay received the prestigious honour of being named the latest Great Wine Capital of the World, joining an exclusive group of 12 worldwide. Saxton and his team at Hawke’s Bay Tourism were recognized for their substantial role in achieving this global recognition, which is crucial for the economic recovery of the industry and the broader region.

The BEIA Outstanding Contributor Awards were presented with appreciation to long-standing supporters David Hall and Hunter’s Wines.

New Zealand Business Events Week is set to continue until Friday, featuring policy and business forums in Wellington and Auckland, as well as the Tourism New Zealand National Awards. This event, spearheaded by the peak industry body BEIA, aims to elevate the importance of the business events sector in New Zealand. The location for next year’s conference will be in New Plymouth, Taranaki, and the dates will be released shortly.

Image source - Tourism Ticker