Queenstown hosts NZ conference and incentive organisers

A group of conference sector professionals with the potential to bring millions of dollars of business to Queenstown have been targeted to experience the resort town’s offerings firsthand.

This week Destination Queenstown’s Convention Bureau is hosting 20 corporate and Professional Conference Organisers (PCOs) from around New Zealand on a four-day familiarisation tour which takes in hotels, venues and activities suitable for conferences or incentive trips.

While the Convention Bureau regularly hosts industry famils and site inspections, this invite-only group is a new initiative and involves 20 Queenstown operators for whom the Conference and Incentive (C&I) sector forms a core focus of their business.

The new format sees each invitee receive a personalised itinerary with activities and site inspections tailored to suit their needs.  The four-day programme also includes networking functions and a mini tradeshow to facilitate business opportunities with participating local operators through a series of individual appointments.

Destination Queenstown’s Convention Bureau Manager Kylie Brittain believes the new experiential programme, which replaces an annual domestic roadshow, will significantly enhance the way Queenstown showcases its offerings.

“There’s no better way to convert interest to business than bringing people here to experience our world-class operators, spectacular alpine setting and diversity of experiences.  It allows us to demonstrate what can be done for conference and incentive groups rather than rely on sales calls and imagery.

“As a conference and incentive destination, Queenstown is accessible, affordable and offers the ‘wow’ factor.  It’s less than a two-hour flight from New Zealand’s major centres but is still considered an exotic location with accommodation to suit all budgets and a huge range of activities.”

Whitney Davis, from incentive conference and event management company ICEWorks Auckland, has found the trip invaluable so far.

“It’s my first visit to Queenstown and I’ve been blown away.  It’s a stunning place and ticks all the boxes as a destination with easy flight access, quality accommodation and venues, and a huge range of activities and dining.  I’ve gained a much greater understanding of what Queenstown has to offer for conferences and incentives and will definitely be recommending it to my clients.”

Queenstown’s stunning scenery and diversity of experiences continue to attract international acclaim.  Recent accolades include Lonely Planet’s Top 10 Regions for 2012 (Queenstown and Southern Lakes) and Trip Advisor 2012 Travelers’ Choice Awards Top 25 destinations in the South Pacific (no. 1 in NZ).  Queenstown was also voted ‘Best Incentive Destination’ at the 2011 micenet AUSTRALIA awards.

Currently New Zealand’s conference sector is worth approximately $395 million per annum with domestic delegates spending $434 per day and international delegates $490 per day on average.  Queenstown’s market share is approximately 10 percent of the national total.

For detailed information about Queenstown’s conference venues, products and news please visit www.queenstownnz.co.nz/conference/.  To view or download a copy of Destination Queenstown’s 2012/2013 Product Directory visit www.queenstownnz.co.nz/conference/trade-directory/.