Supported by increasing air capacity from Australia and New Zealand centres, Queenstown has established a strong conference and incentive (C&I) industry which now returns an estimated $50 million annually to the destination.
The C&I industry in Queenstown occupies a niche that makes up seven per cent of the destination’s visitor numbers. And this figure is set to increase, with new Queenstown Convention Bureau manager, Brendon Atkinson recently stepping onto the scene, ready to sharpen the region’s focus on generating more events business.
“Premium resort infrastructure, a stunning environment and a broad range of activities combined with professional convention expertise makes Queenstown an unbeatable convention destination for meetings of a certain size,” says Mr Atkinson.
“Queenstown is friendly, efficient, inspirational, creative and sophisticated. It has a business environment the equal of much larger towns and is an easy place to stage a conference or incentive.”
If Queenstown had a middle name, it would be Flexibility. While its facilities are well-suited to host conventions of up to 500, the region can comfortably cater for a gala banquet function of 1200. Its range of accommodation includes five-star and award-winning hotels and resorts, including Heritage Queenstown, which incidentally will be commencing the construction of its own international standard conference centre in April this year on the lakeside of the hotel. This venue will be two storeys high with a conference room catering for 200 theatre-style, plus a roof top terrace for outdoor and marquee events. The completion date is planned for early 2008.
New in 2007 is The Pavilion at five-star Millbrook Resort. The Pavilion is a new function room that can cater for groups of 120 to 160, depending on room settings or entertainment requirements. The structure features a permanent carpet-covering, a silk ceiling, chandeliers, and French doors opening out onto a fully-landscaped outdoor seating area.
In addition to meeting venues, Queenstown is spoilt for choice when it comes to activities too, with everything from jetboating to four-wheel drive tours. Local operator Sail Queenstown has just launched a twilight sailing package aboard the Americas Cup yacht NZL14 for the ultimate evening experience. The elite trophy boat, built specifically for New Zealand’s 1992 challenge in San Diego, has added the twilight sailings to take full advantage of the region’s warmer evenings where the sun doesn’t set until close to 10pm.
Queenstown’s local activity operators are improving and adding to their services and offerings all the time, continuously developing partner programs and team-building activities for both small and large groups.
 Millennium Hotel Queenstown
Located in the heart of the city and set against an alpine backdrop, Millennium Hotel Queenstown has 200 recently-refurbished guest rooms. Redesign of the guest rooms has added extra levels of comfort and several new enhancements ideal for business guests. Both the Club Bar and Observatory Restaurant also have a refined new look. The hotel caters for meetings of all sizes, from small groups of six up to large conventions of 600 theatre-style. The multi-purpose Galaxy Ballroom can be divided into three separate areas or used as one large space. Five other meeting rooms cater for small to medium sized groups. For more information, phone +64 3 441 8888 or visit www.millenniumhotels.co.nz.
Crowne Plaza Queenstown
Close to the heart of town, Crowne Plaza Queenstown is a chic, contemporary-styled resort with lake and mountain views, 139 guest rooms, two cocktail lounges and the Threesixty Restaurant and Bar. The hotel has a dedicated conference floor offering four meeting rooms with natural light the full length of each room, plus balcony access and views. The conference floor also has a large atrium area and sheltered courtyard, perfect for breakouts, lunches, cocktails or BBQs in the summer. The largest room capacity is 150 theatre-style. For more information, phone +64 3 441 0095 or visit
www.ichotelsgroup.com.
Mercure Grand Hotel St Moritz Queenstown
With 72 one-bedroom suites, 69 deluxe studios, three two-bedroom apartments and 27 two-bedroom apartments achieved by interconnections, St Moritz has the flexibility to cater for a range of guests. Views of the Remarkables Mountains and Lake Wakatipu provide a stunning backdrop to the majority of rooms, including the hotel’s meeting rooms. Able to cater for up to 80 banquet-style, the hotel’s den room is situated alongside the lobby and bar, and features two electronic drop-down screens, a frosted glass executive boardroom table, and wireless broadband internet. Featuring its own stone fireplace and a balcony overlooking the lake, the library can cater for 50 theatre-style. For more information, phone +64 3 442 4990 or visit www.stmoritz.co.nz.
The Barn at Moonlight Country
Located in a valley just 15 minutes from Queenstown, and flanked by the jagged Remarkables Mountains and Coronet Peak, The Barn at Moonlight Country is a purpose-built function and event venue for conferences, team-building and dinners. The Barn has rustic, country architecture which lends itself to a country theme, but has the flexibility to suit alternative themes. The Barn can cater for 180 banquet-style, and 350 with a marquee. The venue is set by the 320-hectare working deer farm, Moonlight Country which features horseriding stables and a range of other activities including two ropes challenge courses, river access for jet boating, helicopter pad and a clay target shooting facility. For more information, phone +64 3 442 1240 or visit www.moonlightcountry.co.nz.
Skyline Gondola, Restaurant & Luge
Located an easy five-minute walk from central Queenstown and exclusively accessed by scenic cableway, Skyline Gondola, Restaurant & Luge sits high above town and features a restaurant, café, licensed bar, Kiwi Haka Maori cultural show, souvenir shop, two luge tracks and extensive private function facilities. There are five function venues to choose from catering for up to 650. With 220 degree panoramic sights and observation decks looking across Lake Wakatipu and up to the Remarkables, Skyline offers some of the best views of the region. For more information, phone +64 3 441 0101 or visit www.skyline.co.nz.
Copthorne Hotel and Resort Queenstown Lakefront
Set within a few minutes walking distance of the centre of Queenstown, overlooking Lake Wakatipu, the Copthorne Hotel and Resort Queenstown Lakefront features 241 guest rooms, including five lake-facing suites with spa baths, and the Lakefront bar and restaurant. The hotel recently underwent a major refurbishment of its meeting rooms, adding new colours and carpets to give a light and more modern look. Meeting facilities cater for up to 200, with one room opening onto a private garden courtyard, ideal for breaks or BBQs. A pre-function area with its own bar is perfect for cocktail functions. For more information, phone +64 3 442 8123 or visit www.millenniumhotels.co.nz.
 Gibbston Valley Wines
A short drive from the centre of Queenstown, the Gibbston Valley winery hosts a range of wine tasting events and wine tours that give groups an opportunity to stroll through one of New Zealand’s finest vineyards and sample priceless wines. The winery is home to an award-winning restaurant and underground wine cave, which are both available for conferences and events. The restaurant features local produce including venison, lamb and salmon. For more information, phone +64 3 442 6910 or visit www.gvwines.co.nz.
Nomad Safaris
Operating out of Queenstown, Nomad Safaris offers small tours for a maximum of six per guide into New Zealand back country, exploring historic gold mining areas and some of the Lord of the Rings locations. The company uses fully-equipped Land Rovers to handle all terrain, and its quad bike tours use fully-equipped automatic Honda 400cc ATV quads. Tours run morning and afternoon, and Nomad Safaris can also arrange corporate challenges for groups. For more information, phone +64 3 442 6699 or visit www.nomadsafaris.co.nz.
Over The Top
Luxury helicopter company, Over The Top operates a fleet of modern black helicopters including the new EC130B4 – the only one of its type in the region. The company offers a range of experiences from landing on a pristine glacier, meandering through a rainforest, to drinking champagne at a remote alpine lake or helicopter bungy jumps. For more information, phone +64 3 442 2233 or visit www.flynz.co.nz.
Over three days in November 2006, Queenstown-based catering company In2Food had six functions to cater for across four different locations. To add to the challenge, three of the functions were in marquees and two events required four-wheel drive access for staff and equipment.
The functions varied from a gourmet lunch on the banks of the Dart River with guests arriving by jet boat, to a marquee on a mountainside overlooking Queenstown and the lake, as well as a black tie gala dinner. In2Food needed to cater to each individually, and no two menus were the same!
The Dart River lunch proved to be a pretty tough challenge in itself, with last minute changes needing to be made to transport and staff when rain fell the night prior to the function and washed out access to the upper Dart River, limiting it to four-wheel drives only.
These adjustments flowed into the scheduling of the other two functions being held that same day, including a gala dinner. Fortunately this wasn’t the first time that In2Food had been in the situation of having a number of events falling within three days, and the team was able to get through each one smoothly and without too many hiccups.
Aiming for recognition as Queenstown’s premier deluxe lakefront property, Rydges Lakeland Resort Queenstown has undergone a five-stage multi-million dollar refurbishment program designed to rejuvenate the resort’s atmosphere and refine its guest accommodation.
The majority of the work has now been completed, with the first stages of the project including a refurbishment to the main entrance and foyer with enhanced reception, lounge and tourist areas, as well as international standard conference facilities and entertainment facilities.
The rooftop entertainment deck has been remodelled to cater for the demand for its spectacular position overlooking Lake Wakitupu and the Remarkables Mountain range. This popular location flows through to the new Inigo Bar complex.
Inigo Bar will now feature signature theme nights, seasonal menus and modern entertainment systems. Areas will be separated for those who demand activity or those seeking relaxation with designated chill zones. The bar will now serve selected Otago wines, favourite local and international beers whilst not forgetting traditional cocktails and blends.
The refurbishment has also taken the number of deluxe rooms in the resort up to 165 of 255 rooms in total, and resort now has upgraded internet access throughout the property.
Rydges Lakeland Resort Queenstown has also enhanced its conference facilities, which includes five meeting rooms that can seat up to 420 delegates. Some rooms have lake views through floor-to-ceiling windows with individual balconies. The conference floors are suitable for trade exhibitions, breakout rooms, hospitality rooms and the conference office.
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