Kia ora,

Winter is here and Queenstown is a-buzz with snow sports enthusiasts and winter lovers welcoming the colder temperatures. With easy access to some of New Zealand’s finest ski and snowboard terrain, world class activities for recovery days and a vibrant après ski scene, Queenstown really does come alive at this time of year. 

Not only has there been some great new additions in our business events offerings in region this season, there have also been some developments in the Queenstown Convention Bureau (QCB) team. 

After 18 years, Jana Kingston, Business Development Manager Australia & North America for the bureau, has moved on to her next challenge as National Business Development Manager for Millennium & Copthrone Hotels.

With such change, Sarah McDonald, now leading the bureau as QCB Manager, will be looking after Australia & North American markets; Luisa Cardona has joined the team as Business Development Executive; Tracy Cui is managing our C&I clients in Eastern markets as Business Development Manager Asia; and later this month Jessica Langelaan will start as QCB Account Manager.

It's no secret that the business events industry is back in full swing all around the world. Queenstown, and our QCB team, are ready to welcome your delegates and clients to our beautiful region. 

Kind regards,
Sarah, Tracy, Luisa and Mat

Queenstown Update

The Queenstown Town Centre street upgrade project has been completed and was officially opened at the end of June. The redevelopment has created a walkable, inviting for all visitor and community to enjoy with cultural story telling weaved into the design elements. 

The district roading and Infrastructure enhancements are progressing well, with exciting developments underway in the region.

Needing transport? See our upgraded Transport resource. This tool now offers clearer information on fleet capacities, vehicle types and highlights those suppliers that are actively reducing their impact with access to electric options.

Considering Queenstown as a business event destination between July 2023 and March 2024? The latest Nine Month Forward Outlook indicates the current levels of forward-looking accommodation occupancy in Queenstown. We highly encourage having a look at this resource, to help guide your decision on the ideal time to hold your business event. Any Questions? Contact the QCB team directly.

Regenerative Queenstown Initiatives

Travel to a thriving future: our destination management plan is now available to read and download. More stories can be found on our website.

Our Love Queenstown Community Fund has launched. This platform has been set up to support local climate, conservation, and biodiversity initiatives - taking action to meet the greatest challenge and opportunity of our time: a regenerative, carbon-zero future.

Meet DISHrupt – the community project making Queenstown events zero waste. Whether it’s large-scale events or small meetings, this simple concept, by Sustainable Queenstown, can ensure your events’ single-use ware days are over. Find out more here.

Meet with Purpose by Hilton, helps event organisers create meaningful change in attendee experience and the communities they visit. The offerings include, neutralizing CO2 emissions, incorporating food donations and organising team-building experiences into event agendas.

Kinloch Wilderness Retreat - gather your group for a retreat in nature. Taking passengers in fully electric vehicles for the past 5 years and from July this year, Kinloch Lodge will have UBCO electric bikes available to rent to ‘Journey into Nature’ in a quiet, carbon zero way. Read the full story here. 

Ziptrek Ecotours - Carbon zero since 2019. Trent Yeo never planned to build a sustainable tourism business in Queenstown. He didn’t even plan to live here. But like so many, this (then) young visitor with a background in sustainable architecture and outdoor education, came to visit a friend on holiday, and never left. He simply abandoned his carefully thought-out business plan to take Ziptrek to the Blue Mountains in Australia. Read more here.

Travel & Aviation Update

Our latest Airline Connectivity resource has been released for December 2023.

• A new online Travel Declaration Form for travellers entering New Zealand will be phased in from July.
• Air New Zealand has restarted daily flights from Auckland to Shanghai, and Air China has resumed flying four times per week from Beijing to Auckland.
• Air New Zealand has been named Airline of the Year 2023 by AirlineRatings.com.
• United Airlines has announced flights from Christchurch to San Francisco three times a week from December, making it the only airline to offer direct flights between the South Island and the United States. From October, United Airlines have also announced the arrival of their Auckland to Los Angeles service that will begin three times per week before increasing to four in December.
• American Airlines has announced the return of its Auckland to Los Angeles service daily from 21 December 2023 to 3 March 2024.
• Delta Airlines has announced that it will begin operating an Auckland to Los Angeles from 28 October 2023.
• Emirates resumed daily flights to from Dubai to Christchurch (via Sydney) on 27 March.
• Air Canada will increase its Auckland to Vancouver seasonal service to five times per week from December over the peak Northern Hemisphere winter period.
• Singapore Airlines is boosting seasonal capacity to Auckland and Christchurch from November. Auckland flights will be serviced by an A380 from 22 November 2023 to 31 March 2024 to meet summer demand. A350-900 flights will be added to the Christchurch route in addition to its current daily service from 19 November 2023 to 16 February 2024. 

Accommodation Update

Swiss-belsuites Pounamu Queenstown has completed the first refurbished Lake View Swiss-SuperSuite and Deluxe Room, showcasing their stunning new design. Perfect for your next incentive group.

Scenic Suites Queenstown has refurbished its studios and 1-bedroom suites, using Lake Whakatipu and the Remarkables Mountains as inspiration for the design. This 84-room property can give your delegates an authentic local feel during they stay.

Edgewater Wānaka has embarked on a major refurbishment project. This is starting with one-third of the hotel's guest rooms and includes air-conditioning, double glazing, bathrooms, lighting, joinery, furniture, and interior styling throughout.

See more four- and five-star accommodation option and their locations on our recently updated Accommodation Map here. 

Venues Update

iFLY Indoor Skydiving Queenstown is the ultimate venue for corporate networking events. Whether you’re hosting a welcome function, special team outing or ice-breaker event, private venue hire is now available (up to 200 guests). Enquire now for an event setting like no other!

Over the Top Helicopters has introduced its unique high-country station and Dirty Nugget saloon experience. Providing bespoke Queenstown Heli experiences with remote luncheons for your conference delegates or incentive groups.

odd saint one of the latest venues to be added to our Meet Queenstown guide. Perfect for an intimate cocktail function of up to 50 delegates or a banquet style dinner of up to 30 event attendees.

Take your group on a dinning journey like no other, with Gibbston Valley’s Wine Cave experience. Up to 50 guests for a cocktail function or 28 of your VIPs for a seated dinner.

Queenstown Marina's newest venue, offering an exquisite setting on the edge of Lake Whakatipu. With breathtaking views, this remarkable blank canvas space offer a variety of configurations and capacity that guarantees unforgettable events and extraordinary experiences.

For more unforgettable social venue options, see our listings here. 

Activities Update

Skyline Queenstown is back in business with their new 10-seater gondola! Replacing the 4-seat cabins it is a welcome upgrade to your clients. Further details on the project can be found on their website. 

Glacier Southern Lakes Helicopters has recently received a major upgrade to its fleet, with the arrival of two new Airbus H125 helicopters. These state-of-the-art aircraft with new exteriors and cutting-edge technology are the newest scenic helicopters on the airfield. 

For a bonding, challenging corporate team building event, Escape Quest is the ultimate experience. The perfect way to kick-off a strategy day or workshop, Escape Quest enhances problem solving skills, expands mindsets and brings colleagues together. 

Queenstown’s most iconic ship is back! After taking a much-needed rest, your C&I group can now enjoy a cruise on the TSS Earnslaw along Lake Whakatipu before arriving at Walter Peak for a delicious gourmet BBQ dining experience. 

Whether you are building an activity into your programme, or offering options to delegates in their own time, see our full list of activities here.  

Industry Update

QCB and Team Queenstown were in full force at BEIA Meetings 2023 at Takina in Wellington. With 20 Queenstown suppliers present, the two-day exhibition provided great connection (and re-connection) to highly engaged Australian & New Zealand buyers. See highlight Reel from the event here.

Queenstown Convention Bureau will be attending Incentive Live ANZ Conference hosted by Site ANZ in Sydney on 7 August 2023. 

Registrations for the BEIA Conference in Marlborough (September 2023) are now open. 

Awards and Accolades

• Kamana Lakehouse has been nominated for three awards at the 2023 Hospitality New Zealand Awards for Excellence. Other finalists in their categories include Botswana Butchery, Garden Court Suites & Apartments, Little Blackwood, Millbrook Resort, QT Queenstown, Ramada Remarkables Park Queesntown, The Bunker Restaurant, The Locker Room Sports Bar, and Yonder. 
• In the above awards, Bert Haines of Future Hospitality Group and Blair Impey of Republic Hospitality Group have both been named as a finalist in the Leader of the Year - Hospitality category. 
• Alfie Speight, renowned aerial-filming pilot of Glacier Southern Lakes Helicopters was recently recognised and awarded the "Turtz Award for Contribution to Cinematography" at the New Zealand Cinematography Society Awards in Auckland. 
• Altitude Tours Milford Sound Small Group Experience, and RealNZ TSS Earnslaw & BBQ Buffet Lunch have been named in the Top 20 for Australia and New Zealand in the Viator Experience Awards 2023. 

Key Dates & Events

• 14 - 16 July: Matakiri Weekend
• 11 - 13 August: Woolon Creative Fashion Event
• 25 August - 3 September: Winter Pride
• 5 - 10 September: Snow Machine
• 21 - 23 October: Labour Weekend
• 18 November: New Zealand Sotheby's International Realty Queenstown Marathon
• 23 - 26 December: Christmas weekend
• 27 December: Lake Hayes Triathlon
• 29 - 31 December: Rhythm & Alps 

Discover more events in Queenstown with a complete guide to our best attractions.

Your Queenstown Convention Bureau Team