AUNZ MICE Leaders to Know: Vanessa Wallace from RotoruaNZ

Meet Vanessa Wallace, a Rotorua local with 18 years of experience in event management, sponsorship, and destination promotion. Currently the Business Events Manager at RotoruaNZ, Vanessa is also a newly appointed Board Member of Business Events Industry Aotearoa (BEIA) and the Chair of the New Zealand Convention Bureau Group. Through her leadership and passion, Vanessa is helping shape the future of business events in Aotearoa.

Q&A with Vanessa Wallace

Can you start by introducing yourself? Tell us a bit about your background and your role in the MICE industry. 

Kia ora! I’m Vanessa Wallace, and I’m lucky enough to call Rotorua home—it’s where I was born and raised and where I now get to showcase an incredible destination to the business events world. I’ve been in the industry for 18 years, working across event management, sponsorship, and destination promotion. Right now, I’m the Business Events Manager at RotoruaNZ, where I bring conferences and events to our region, making sure every experience here is as seamless and memorable as possible.

What inspired you to pursue a career in the MICE industry, and what’s kept you passionate about it over the years?

I started my working life in hospitality and tourism, followed by sales, so moving into events and sponsorship felt like a natural progression—it combined everything I loved about connecting with people, creating experiences, and making things happen. What’s kept me in this industry is definitely the people—both the clients I work with and the teams that bring events to life. There’s something really special about seeing an idea evolve into a full-scale event that leaves a lasting impact, whether that’s through knowledge-sharing, cultural exchange, or just an unforgettable experience.

What’s the most memorable event or incentive trip you’ve worked on, and what made it so special?

There are so many! One that really stands out was hosting the MEETINGS 2024 pre-famil in Rotorua. We brought Australian buyers into our region and gave them an experience that went beyond just venues and logistics. They connected with our people, our culture, and the land in a way that was genuinely meaningful. Seeing their eyes light up when they experienced the warmth of Rotorua’s manaakitanga (hospitality) was a proud moment. You can’t manufacture that kind of connection—it’s real, and that’s what makes events here so powerful.

What’s one trend or innovation in the MICE industry that you think event planners should focus on in 2025? 

Personalisation. Delegates are looking for experiences that feel tailored to them, not just another conference in another city. Whether it’s curated content, immersive cultural elements, or unique networking opportunities, the more an event feels like it was designed for them, the more engaged they’ll be. It’s about moving beyond the traditional structure and creating something that people will remember and talk about for years.

How do you see the role of sustainability evolving in the events industry, and how can planners implement more eco-friendly practices?

Sustainability has gone from being a ‘nice to have’ to an expectation, but it’s got to be done in a way that feels authentic rather than just ticking boxes. It’s about smart choices—partnering with local suppliers, reducing waste, and thinking about the long-term impact of an event. One thing planners can do straight away? Work with destinations and venues that already have sustainability built into their operations. That way, it’s not an afterthought—it’s just how things are done.

Vanessa’s commitment to Rotorua’s business events sector and her drive to foster collaborative, meaningful experiences make her a key figure in shaping the MICE industry in Aotearoa. Through her roles at RotoruaNZ, BEIA, and the New Zealand Convention Bureau Group, she’s paving the way for innovation, sustainability, and authentic cultural engagement in events to come.

For more information on how Rotorua can elevate your next conference or incentive experience, feel free to reach out to the RotoruaNZ Business Events team. Let’s continue to push boundaries, create memorable moments, and shape a sustainable future for business events in Aotearoa.

Vanessa Wallace, Business Events Manager at RotoruaNZ Business Events