ABOUT NZ SME&E EVENTS
​WHAT IS SME&E?
97% of all businesses in New Zealand are classed as a small or medium enterprise (SME), defined as a business with less than 20 employees. In total that is approximately 546,000 SMEs in New Zealand and together they account for over a quarter of all of NZ's GDP and nearly 30% of the nations employment. (Source: MBIE)
Surprisingly, there was not a tailormade business event for SMEs and Entrepreneurs in New Zealand and thus, NZ SME&E Events was born and our debut event - NZ SME&E Festival presented by Xero. We are now on a mission to create the most inspirational, biggest, and best SME event in Australasia.
WHAT ARE SME&E EVENTS?
SME&E events seamlessly combine high-quality business learning from some of the best business minds in NZ with entertainment, creativity and innovation. SME&E is a new business learning experience, you will leave with new insights, new skills to implement and a strategic framework to help your business grow.
SME&E events brings together founders, entrepreneurs, business owners, side hustlers, content creators, managers, leaders, industry experts, and people with an idea.
World class speakers, solution driven workshops, creative content with a laser focus on developing business capability. Attendees will benefit from enhanced thought leadership, deep learning, networking, and community engagement.
INSPIRING HEADLINERS
SME&E headliners are a mix of marketing innovators, world class entrepreneurs, thought leaders, and founders. Their talks are an invitation to find inspiration and motivation; their stories are an opportunity for you to explore what is possible. Speakers that have graced the Main Stage at SME events include the likes of Sir Ian Taylor, Cassie Roma, Jehan Casinader, Justine Troy, Mike Hutcheson, and Angus Brown!
WORKSHOPS
Aligned to the headline stories, a broad range of workshops at each event invites you to roll up your sleeves and work with other participants in prototyping sessions that address real-world business challenges, experiment with new creative processes, and put ideas into practice.
BUSINESS PANEL Q&A
Got a burning business question that you need answered by someone who has actually 'been there, done that'? The business panel Q&A session is where it's at to get the answers you're searching for!
Our panels consist of 4-5 experts ready to answer your questions. Past topics include
- Growing your SME (Auckland '22)
- Funding for Business Growth (Wellington '23)
- AI for Business Growth (Wellington '23)
SME&E NETWORKING PARTIES
We understand that sometimes being a SME means you don't get the same networking opportunities as your peers at the big corporations. So we're going to have one epic SME networking party to remember!
90min of drinks, nibbles, networking, and good sounds... what more could you want?! Entry to the function is included with all ticket purchases except 'Virtual' tickets.
THE TEAM BEHIND SME&E EVENTS
SME&E Events are managed and coordinated by Craig Murray and his team at Intrinsic Events. We are a small team based in Rotorua that creates experiences that make people smile! Our SME&E events are specifically curated to help businesses in New Zealand. SME&E Growth in Wellington 2023 is our next event, focusing on growth tactics and strategies. If you are a founder, entrepreneur, or business owner experiencing growth or if you have recently started a business with the ambition to scale and go global, SME&E Growth in Wellington will add value.
"We are the only festival focused on SME & Entrepreneurs in New Zealand, we are on a mission to create the most inspirational business events in NZ."
Craig Murray - Founder of the NZ SME&E Festival
