Pints of Business: A refreshing take on academic–industry exchange

It was the first in a new series developed by Massey Business School in partnership with the Manawatū Business Chamber.

Held at Brew Union on Wednesday 9 July, the evening event featured small-group discussions led by Massey academics in a round-table format. With participants drawn from a range of local industries, the goal was to spark candid, cross-sector conversations on some of the region’s most pressing economic challenges.

Senior Lecturer Dr Wayne Macpherson, one of the academic contributors, said the informal setting helped break down barriers.

“There was a real openness in the room — people felt comfortable sharing what was happening in their businesses and they were genuinely curious about what the research could offer.”

Attendees rotated through five tables over the course of the evening, each led by a Massey academic who gave a short introduction before facilitating a 15-minute discussion. Topics included regional economic resilience, navigating uncertainty and workforce productivity.

Associate Head of the School of Management and Marketing Beth Tootell, who co-facilitated a table on people and productivity, said the structure made the sessions dynamic and engaging.

“You could see the energy lift as the conversations evolved. Every group brought something different to the table.”

The event wrapped with a question and answer session and a group debrief. Feedback from the evening described the format as refreshing, informal but valuable and a great way to connect across sectors.

Professor Stephen Kelly said the initiative was about more than just conversation.

“This is part of a broader push to make academic research more accessible and relevant to the communities we serve. It’s also a way to listen and learn from what’s happening on the ground.”

Chief Executive of Manawatū Business Chamber Amanda Linsley says they’re proud to support initiatives like Pints of Business that foster genuine, two-way engagement between the academic and business communities.

“Events like this help ensure that research stays grounded in the realities of industry, and that local businesses can tap into fresh thinking and data-driven insights. The energy in the room spoke volumes: our members valued the opportunity to connect with Massey’s thought leaders and each other in such a relaxed and productive format. It’s a great example of how collaboration can drive regional innovation and resilience and we look forward to continuing to grow this partnership.”

A second Pints of Business session is already being arranged, with plans to explore new topics and continue to strengthen the bridge between Massey and the local business ecosystem.