2026 NZCCI Conference Programme
Explore the full conference programme below, including all sessions, speakers and key timings. This page will be kept up to date, so please check back for any changes.
*Please note this schedule is subject to change.
| Wed 20 May | Activity | Location |
| 11.00 - 1.00pm | Registration Desk Open | Novotel |
| 1.00 - 1.20pm | Conference Opening & Welcome! | |
| Melanie Short - Rotorua Business Chamber | CEO | ||
| Paul Ingram - NZCCI Chairperson & Rotorua Business Chamber President | ||
| Andrew Fairgray - 2Degrees | Chief Business Officer | ||
| Address from Prime Minister Rt Hon Christopher Luxon | Recorded message | ||
| 1.20 - 2.30pm | Alliance Partners - introduction and around the room | |
| 2.30 - 3.30pm | Keynote Speaker - Liam Dann | |
| 3.30 - 4.00pm | Afternoon Tea & Alliance Partners Expo | |
| 4.00pm | Day One conference concludes | |
| 5.00pm | Meet at the Novotel foyer for transfer to Te Puia for the Welcome Function | |
| 5.20 - 7.30pm | Powhiri then transfer to Pohutu Geyser Marquee for canapes and drinks | Te Puia |
| 7.30 - 9.00pm | Redwoods Treewalk | Redwoods Treewalk |
| Back to the hotel by 9pm | ||
| Thu 21 May | ||
| 7.30 - 8.15am | NetWalking - around Rotorua Lakefront, Wai Ariki Spa, Government Gardens and Rotorua Museum (hosted by Melanie Short | Meet in hotel foyer |
| 8.30 - 8.45am | Day Two - outline of the day | Melanie Short | Novotel |
| Address from Min. Chris Penk - Minister of Small Business & Manufacturing | Recorded message | ||
| 8.45 - 9.45am | Keynote Speaker - Masami Sato - B1G1 | The Global Business of Giving | |
| 9.45 - 10.30am | Steve Wilson - NZ Product Accelerator | How it works and why we need it | |
| 10.30 - 11am | Morning Tea & Alliance Partners Expo | |
| 11.00 - 11.30am | Andrew Fairgray - 2Degrees | Technology Update | |
| 11.30 - 12.15pm | Jacky James - The Shine Collective | The Reputation Firewall: Protecting Trust in a Cyber World | |
| 12.15 - 1.00pm | Lunch Break | |
| 1.00 - 2.15pm | Unconference session with a twist | |
| 2.15 - 2.45pm | Afternoon Tea & Alliance Partners Expo | |
| 2.45 - 3.30pm | Working with your local Council and EDA | Panel Session with Andrew Moreas (CE Rotorua Lakes Council), Andrew Wilson (CE RotoruaNZ), Melanie Short (CE, Rotorua Business Chamber) | |
| 3.30pm | Day Two conference concludes for all except South Island Chambers (see below) | |
| 3.30 - 4.30pm | South Island Chambers - Election event catchup - hosted by Leeann Watson & Tait Dench | |
| 3.30 - 6.00pm | Free time to explore Rotorua - click here for information about what to do | |
| 6.00 - 10.00pm | Gala Dinner | Terrace Kitchen - 1029 Tutanekai Street (just a few doors down from the Novotel towards the lake front - click here for map) | Terrace Kitchen |
| Fri 22 May | ||
| 8.15 - 8.30am | Day Three - outline of the day | Melanie Short | Novotel |
| 8.30 - 9.00am | Address from Min. Barbara Edmonds | Finance Spokesperson for the Labour Party | |
| 9.00 - 10.00am | AI Session | Matt Browning & Stephen Johnson | Incredible AI | |
| 10.00 - 10.30am | Morning Tea & Alliance Partners Expo | |
| 10.30 - 11.30am | Address from Min. Louise Upston - Minister of Social Development | ChamberWorks roundatable | |
| 11.30 - 12.00pm | Māori Business Economy | TBC | |
| 12.00 - 12.10pm | Conference Closing Address | |