Welcome – Queenstown update

As summer in Queenstown turns into autumn, blazing red and gold leaves highlight the change of season across the Central Otago and Queenstown landscapes.  Our mornings and evenings are getting cooler but the warm sunny days are perfect for your delegates and clients to explore the region by land, sky or water, soaking up the majestic scenery and enjoying a huge range of activities and team building challenges.  The region’s vineyards are alive with activity at this time of year as more than 6,000 tonnes of grapes are harvested before winter frosts set in – a perfect time for a wine tour or vineyard lunch.

We encourage you to get in touch and discuss options for your conference and incentive groups with us.   Autumn is the perfect time to secure good availability and off peak rates as well as enjoying all the year round adventures Queenstown has to offer.

It was great to catch up with many of you at AIME in Melbourne last month.  Queenstown continues to be a popular destination for Conference & Incentive groups especially with the NZ dollar being very favourable for those coming from overseas.  We also have some exciting events happening in Queenstown during the autumn season including the Motatapu Adventure/Bike/Run, Queenstown Bike Festival, NZPGA Pro Am golf tournament at The Hills, Gibbston Harvest Festival, and Arrowtown Autumn Festival – for more information check out our website.

The Convention Bureau team will be at MEETINGS 2012 in Auckland (13th-15th June) along with other C&I operators so we look forward to seeing many of you there.   In the meantime, if we can offer you any assistance for enquiries you may receive over the next few months please don’t hesitate to contact myself or Marketing Executive Louise Jennis.

Warm regards,
Kylie Brittain kylieb@queenstownnz.co.nz
Convention Bureau Manager
Destination Queenstown

Welcome – Australia update

It was fantastic to see so many familiar faces recently at AIME 2012, and equally exciting to see that interest in Queenstown is as strong as ever. There are some great new product offerings in this newsletter – please take a moment to have a look through it. 

Applications for MEETINGS NZ 2012 are now open. This annual event showcases the very best of what NZ (and of course Queenstown) has to offer conference and incentive buyers. If you would like to attend this key trade show, please click here for more information.

And for those of you in Sydney who would like a Queenstown update shortly, I will be visiting your fine city the week of 19 March. Please contact me if you would like to schedule a catch up. Otherwise, if we can offer you any assistance for enquiries you receive over the next few months or if you need more information on any of the products featured please don’t hesitate to get in touch with me.

Warm regards
Jana Kingston janak@queenstownnz.co.nz
Business Development Manager
Destination Queenstown

Destination Queenstown news

2012/2013 Product Directory
Don’t forget our new 2012/13 Queenstown & Southern Lakes Product Directory, Meeting & Incentive Planner is now available. If you haven’t already received your copy, or if you require additional copies for your office please email us.  A downloadable version of the Directory is also available online.

Social Media
We regularly update the Conference and Incentive section of the website so check out our news and product update blogs and watch out for our tweet alerts. Below are Destination Queenstown’s various social media channels so ‘follow’ us and we will ‘follow’ you back. 

Conference & Incentive twitter feed:  @QCBqueenstown
Trade twitter feed: @Tradequeenstown
CEO twitter feed:  @TonyatDQ
Media twitter feed:  @mediaqueenstown
Consumer twitter feed:  @Purequeenstown
Facebook:  QueenstownNZ
Flickr: Join our QueenstownNZ Flickr group. 

Winning ways

Queenstown has been getting some great accolades and write ups around the world over the summer period!  Here’s a quick summary:

• Queenstown was named one of Trip Advisor’s Top 15 Destinations on the Rise
• The Malaysia Star gave Queenstown a glowing review as one of the world’s top 10 places to visit
• Queenstown is expected to ‘dominate’ as an easily accessible ski destination for Aussies this year according to the Sydney Morning Herald
• The region and its wine made a big impression on US magazine Wine Enthusiast which gave it a great write-up and named it "the pre-eminent new region for Pinot Noir, Central Otago, New Zealand”
• Wotif.co.nz recently released its top 10 NZ destinations for 2011 based on the number of accommodation bookings made through the website and Queenstown is now in 3^rd place behind Auckland and Wellington.  Click here for full rankings.

Airline update

Air New Zealand won the Air Transport World’s Airline of the Year award for the second time in three years. From November 2012, Air New Zealand will commence a new Rotorua-Queenstown (via Christchurch) route which will operate six days a week in both directions.

Air New Zealand is also introducing a new three times-a-week service from Christchurch to Queenstown via Mount Cook for a six week trial period of 23 December 2012 – 27 January 2013. This will allow easy access for many tourists and allow for an overnight stay at Mt Cook to be built into itineraries for groups and FITs.

Jetstar is now operating daily direct flights between Wellington and Queenstown.

Emirates is up-gauging its Dubai - Melbourne - Auckland service from the existing B777-300ER service to a double-decker A380. With the second A380 service in place, Emirates will offer a total of 1,686 seats a day in each direction.

Accommodation update

Hilton hot deal
Every new conference, residential meeting or event contracted before 30 April at the Hilton Queenstown, Kawarau Hotel (or any other New Zealand Hilton property) and held before 31 December 2012 will receive:

• Double Hilton HHonors Event Bonus Points
• Complimentary wireless internet connection within the provided function room
• Up to 2 complimentary accommodation rooms per night per 15 paid rooms

Eichardt’s Private Hotel – international acclaim
Eichardt’s was recognised in the Top 8 ‘Forever Fabulous’ Hotels in the World by Tatler Travel Guide 2012 alongside the likes of The Ritz in London!

Crowne Plaza Queenstown
Crowne Plaza is located in the heart of Queenstown and offers 4 lake view meeting rooms with stunning views of Queenstown Bay and The Remarkables. Crowne Plaza Queenstown is truly “The Place to Meet” in Queenstown. Special accommodation rates from $149 per person and Full Daily Delegate Rates from $59 per person.  ALSO, special PCMR bonus for events with over 40 room nights - 40,000 points and complimentary internet in the meeting room. For terms and conditions or more information click here.

Novotel Queenstown Lakeside
Choosing Novotel means you can count on a central lakefront location, impeccable organisation, expert advice and now exceptional value-for-money savings with these two Autumn offers:

• Stay and experience autumn with accommodation rates from only $109 per room, per night
• Meet in Fall with our Delegate Day Package now only $45 per person, normally $59 each

Package includes the following: A full days meeting room hire, arrival tea and coffee, morning and afternoon tea served with a gourmet break item, gourmet lunch served in Elements Restaurant, in-built sounds system with speakers, 1 x whiteboard and flipchart. Plus, enjoy complimentary data projector hire including screen.

Services update

Coach Transfers – New product With 50 years experience, Professional Touring is highly respected in the New Zealand tourism industry, led by Mr Nyall Fraser. The staff have many years of specialising in Queenstown visitor transport catering to small and large groups. There are a wide range of transport solutions for the most discerning individuals or groups -everything from a fleet of buses to a corporate limo. Professional Touring offers customized transportation for all programs delivering a quality product for all group sizes.

Dinamics – Partner Programme There is nothing quite like riding on a Harley Davidson, the open road stretching out before you and stunning scenery passing you by. After this exhilarating ride you arrive in a picturesque location where you can relax and spend your afternoon sketching the surrounding area with some tips from local experts. Add in a gourmet picnic and glass of local wine to really get your creative juices flowing and this becomes a day to remember, and how could you forget when you get to take home your very own visual souvenir. For more details email Diana.

QT Event Management – Special offer QT Events is excited to offer a special promotion on its theming packages. Make a booking between now and the end of May (and make sure you refer to this advert when you do) and receive a 10% discount on our Progressive and/or Interactive theme packages. QT Events themes are particularly unique, focusing on moving projections and intelligent lighting and providing your event with a living, breathing themes that change throughout the course of the event. For more information contact Vicky.

 

Queenstown Resort College – New Product QRC’s dynamic and energising facilitators are experienced in delivery of corporate training and team building. QRC Better Business C&I facilitation is a great option to consider for your next C&I group! QRC Better Business will deliver facilitation and team building programmes for any size group, short and punchy or longer sessions with customised delivery and content to meet your requirements. Event and Conference Management groups will find QRC’s experienced team adds a special touch to their client’s programmes. For more information click here.

HQ New Zealand – New Team Building Programme HQ New Zealand is pleased to announce its latest teambuilding programme, Top Team, perfectly suited to large groups with a strong competitive streak.  Inspired by the It’s A Knockout and Top Town arena type TV shows of the ‘80s, teams rotate their way through a madcap variety of obstacle-based activities combined with some creative challenges. Options will be tailored to the client’s specific requirements but the programme is unique and unconventional.

Venues update

Kawarau Bungy Centre Relaunch AJ Hackett Bungy has now completed Stage 1 of its Kawarau Bungy Centre upgrade. Changes include the removal of the Bungy Dome and installation of a new 7m x 3m stage and a 16 screen video wall above it where visitors can watch the new and improved Bungy Movie.  These renovations have doubled the usable floor space to 320sqm, making room for capacity of 800+ people (standing) utilising the internal building and viewing decks, facilities for live bands, large scale presentations, cocktail functions, parties, conference events and team building exercises. Stage 2 of the project will see the launch of the Kawarau Zipride. Insert image

Kiwi Birdlife Park – C&I Facilities
Kiwi Birdlife’s spacious main building is conveniently located a two minute walk from the town centre and features exposed rimu, cathedral ceilings and floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking a 5-acre sanctuary for native birdlife and reptiles. The park also has nocturnal kiwi houses, walk-in aviaries and a replica Maori hunting village with free-roaming weka. Facilities include a full commercial kitchen and BBQ area. For more information click here.

 Memorial Hall - Upgrade
In early July the upgrade of Queenstown Memorial Hall will begin.   This upgrade includes removing the mezzanine floor, extending and modernising the foyer and lobby, installation of new comfortable and retractable automated tiered seating which will also increase capacity.   A new heating, cooling and ventilation system as well as improved lighting and sound infrastructure will be installed along with more toilets and upgrading of existing facilities and changing rooms. This upgrade will make Memorial Hall more suitable and cost effective for conference & incentive groups wanting an offsite, centrally located venue.

Activities update

The Winedown Sensory Experience Try a sensory experience....without doubt the most original and thought provoking wine experience in New Zealand. Expand your senses, discover new aromas and broaden your wine horizons with sommelier Paul Tudgay, who will present you with six sensory workouts that will see your senses amplified and your wine knowledge bloom. This is the perfect option for your visiting conference groups; it is social, fun, entertaining and thought provoking.

Ziptrek Ecotours Update Ziptrek Ecotours is now offering team building options on its Moa & Kea tours at an additional $15p/p.  These include a mixture of both mental and physical challenges that take place on the Ziptrek tree-huts, in between soaring through the tree canopy via ziplines. Testimonials, imagery and more details are available on request through Nicky Busst.

Skippers Canyon Jet – New Fleet Skippers Canyon Jet has updated its fleet with 2 new 22 seater buses. Skippers Canyon and jet boating can now comfortably offer exclusive tours for groups up to 170 people. These 2 air conditioned vehicles are designed to offer comfort and accessibility for all ages and fitness levels, while offering a stunning viewing platform for travelling down the historic Skippers road. With a full audio fit out, the informed commentary complements the visuals as you weave down towards the jet boats on the upper Shotover River.

You vs Wild – New Programme YOU vs WILD is an Interactive Survival Experience that has been designed just for groups, where the items for your survival are broken down into their original form and you have to work together as a team, to make fire, collect water, navigate your way home, find food, identify edible and medicinal plants and even make your own climbing harness. You will be given the tools to accomplish this task, and learn together a few of the things that Bear Grylls and survival specialists know. Who knows these little tips could even become your next party trick.

Southern Explorer – New Product Southern Explorer offers a range of products from 2 hour 4WD scenic tours to overnight camping adventures that are well suited to the C & I market.  Southern Explorers products are designed to be fun interactive adventures where clients have the opportunity to experience the unique natural landscape while having the opportunity to learn about themselves, the environment and their colleagues. C & I products are tailor made depending on the client’s desired outcomes and time constraints. For further information click here.

Movie Making Queenstown Luv Story - Two Queenstown businesses recently came up with a creative and hilarious ‘Queenstown take’ on the Bollywood smash hit I Hate Luv Storys to strengthen their relationships with Indian agents.  The 3-minute video clip, timed for release on Valentine’s Day, showcases Shotover Canyon Swing and Nomad Safaris in a fun and entertaining way surrounded by stunning Queenstown scenery.  The video was produced in-house by the staff of both companies.  Check it out here!

Queenstown Events

Autumn is upon us, but fear not, our Events calendar has never been so jam packed. Clients and delegates visiting Queenstown will be able to experience both nationally and internationally recognised festivals and events, for example New Zealand’s PGA Pro-Am Golf Championship, Arrowtown Autumn Festival, Queenstown Bike Festival and the Southern Hemisphere’s biggest winter party, the American Express Queenstown Winter Festival. To check out the full events calendar click here. 

Gibbston Harvest Festival (19 March 2012) The annual Gibbston Harvest Festival is held on the third Saturday of March and attracts gourmands to sample the delicacies produced by local vineyards, smaller boutique wineries and many fine food establishments.

NZ PGA Pro-Am Championship (29 March-1 April 2012) Top level professional golf returns to Sir Michael Hill's private course The Hills with the New Zealand PGA Pro-Am Championship. Players and spectators alike will be treated to the unique challenges and stunning scenery of The Hills and its surroundings, as well as Queenstown’s world class attractions.  With a unique format that includes invited amateurs and celebrities playing alongside 64 professionals over the final 2 days of the 4-round event, a large crowd of spectators is expected over the 4 days. This event has also been confirmed for the next five years.

Queenstown Bike Festival (31 March-9 April 2012) Grab your bike and helmet and head to Queenstown this Easter for the Queenstown Bike Festival. It’s an exciting 10-day event for all ages and abilities and it gives you the chance to check out Queenstown’s world-class cycle tracks, trails, roads and spectacular lake and alpine scenery.

Arrowtown Autumn Festival (20 - 29 April 2012) Each autumn, as the trees and hillsides of this historic gold mining town turn vibrant red and gold, the local streets come to life in celebration. The 2012 festival  features more than 50 events over the 10 day programme. For more details click here.

American Express Queenstown Winter Festival (22 June - 1 July 2012) The Queenstown Winter Festival has evolved into New Zealand's biggest winter party and some say the biggest winter party in the Southern Hemisphere! It's a 10 day celebration of Queenstown's unique culture and community with street parties, fireworks, international and local acts, jazz, comedy, a Mardi Gras, family fun, and plenty of Mountain Mayhem.

Industry events

The QCB team will be attending the following events in the upcoming year, for more details on any of these please click here.

TRENZ 2012 Queenstown 7 – 10 May	Meetings Auckland 13  – 14 June	TNZ China Shanghai and Beijing 19 – 23 March
DQ Aus Roadshow Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane September (TBC)	CINZ Queenstown 6 – 9 November