Kia ora,

With autumn's beautiful display, anticipation for ski season is building, creating an electrifying energy in town. Crisp blue skies, mulled wine evenings, and mountain days welcome you to Winter in Queenstown.

While days may be getting shorter, development and updates in Queenstown Lakes region doesn't slow! With new venues coming online, activity providers refining new offerings for our business events groups; properties using the quieter months to do refurbishments and upgrades; and restaurants opening weekly, our team are out and about getting the latest news to share with you all (as you can see below). Follow our LinkedIn for more.

With April and May being off-peak season, Queenstown has welcomed large international incentive and conference groups this month. This quieter period offered these groups more accommodation options, beautiful stable weather to enjoy our wide range of activities and less pressures when moving groups around the region. Autumn (April/May/June) really is a great time to consider Queenstown for your next business event – get in touch with our team to discuss 2025 and 2026 programmes.

If you have any questions, or want to know more on any of the updates below, the QCB team look forward to hearing from you!

Kind regards,
Sarah, Jess, Yangzi and Luisa

Queenstown Update

Love Queenstown community fund has just turned one, and raised $75,000 in its first year via visitors and partnered businesses. Funds will be distributed to local charities who are working to protect our region through native revegetation, conservation, and pest eradication efforts, with recipients to be announced this month. To see how your organisation can help, contact Ash Bickley, Community Fund Co-ordinator. 

From pioneering world-firsts to grassroots initiatives, meet those making a difference to the Queenstown environment and community, from the ground up. With many Conference and Incentive suppliers featured, it is great to see our industry getting involved.

An incredible four days with this group of corporate business events organisers on the Queenstown Domestic Famil 2024! The itinerary highlighted new and iconic Queenstown business events suppliers through a packed schedule showcasing how planners can create diverse programmes that connect with our community and place.

The latest Forward Outlook indicates current levels of forward-looking accommodation occupancy in Queenstown until the end of September 2024. End of June spike is due to Matariki (NZ Public Holiday) and school holidays in parts of Australia.

Travel & Aviation Update

Here is our latest Airline Connectivity resource.

• United Airlines has ended its short-lived Los Angeles to Brisbane and Auckland routes.
• China carrier Sichuan Airlines returns to Auckland from Chengdu Tianfu International Airport for the first time since 2020.
• Air New Zealand and Singapore Airlines plan to operate four daily seasonal services between Auckland and Singapore from 27 October 2024 to 29 March 2025.

Regenerative Queenstown Initiatives

Southern Lakes Sanctuary's guided walk through Bob's Cove, is perfect for conference delegates or incentive groups wanting to  learn more about the conservation work being done to enhance the native bush and habitat for lizards and birds in our region.

Peregrine Wines are proud to be the first New Zealand vineyard to install electric frost fans. The quieter, more reliable fans offer a reduction in fossil fuel emissions forming part of Peregrine’s target of net carbon zero with Toitu.

Crowne Plaza Queenstown has teamed up with KiwiHarvest, a food rescue service, to redistribute fresh, high-quality surplus food to the Salvation Army's Queenstown branch. Book your delegates' accommodation knowing they are making a difference!

Relocated heritage buildings sit alongside original sheds on a fifth generation family farm, forming this charming rustic village, Country Lane. The latest to be added to the collection of properties is the former Queenstown Arts Centre.

Accommodation Update

Nugget Point Hotel, now owned by New Bay Group is committed to regaining its five-star rating. The redesign includes a new lobby and reception area, and upgrades to the restaurant and all rooms. Renovations start end of August 2024 with planned reopening date, 1 April 2025.

A new high-end development in Queenstown's Fernhill area is underway. It features 19 luxury residences across 10 buildings, totaling 60 bedrooms, plus a central facility building with a conference area and restaurant. This is a property to keep in mind.

Sofitel Queenstown Hotel & Spa and Hotel St. Moritz welcome Eleanor Bryant as Sales and Marketing Manager. Eleanor joined the team in June and is your best contact if you’d like to know more about hosting a group at either of these 5-start Queenstown properties.

Elevate your team’s conference experience with Sudima Queenstown Five Mile’s exclusive ‘Moss Moment’ add on. Created in conjunction with Moss Spa, you can choose from 30 minutes to Full day packages.

Venues Update

Royalburn Station, one of the oldest, most picturesque farms in New Zealand has two beautiful private venues. Prohibition House featuring a restored original 1920’s cottage, is perfect for a more intimate occasion, and Hay Shed Terrace, with its large flat terrace, can comfortably host large corporate events.

Having opened in December 2023, Ayrburn is becoming a popular hub for business events. With six venues and its own vineyard, it offers a variety of options for conference groups; whether it's standing functions, lunches, dinners, or utilising the Dell as a customizable conference space.

The Cargo Collective’s Cargo Brew Hall is opening 21 June. This new venue will be your premier destination for corporate and private functions of up to 220 people. Also offering custom team building activities, ensuring unforgettable experiences for your team.

Formally known as Attiqa, TOMMY's Margarita Bar is a 50 person venue with the perfect location and stunning lakeside mountain views for your next private function. Offering personalised menus and built in AV, TOMMY’s is a great option for an intimate, private event.

Waikākā Church Queenstown, a 110-year-old former church has recently been repurposed as an event venue, located at the foot of Coronet Peak. Ideal for intimate private functions, delegate lunches and dinners surrounded by beautiful mountain scenery.

Set in the restored, historic New Zealand Railways Shipping Office, The Boat Shed Cafe & Bistro is now available for evening private functions.  Positioned on Frankton's waterfront, this local favourite is now an ideal venue for your next delegates' dinner.

No5 Church Lane, a popular venue for cocktail events and private dinners for up to 60 guests, has introduced new flavours and feel to its menu. Inspired by South African and Indian cuisine, it is a must try when hosting your delegates' dinner in Queenstown.

Activities Update

Glacier Southern Lakes Helicopters and Romer Gallery have teamed up to give your VIP conference delegates or exclusive incentive group, The Commissioned Experience. A bespoke helicopter flight with a professional photographer onboard to capture the perfect scenic shot to take home.

Rifters are makers of award-winning, small-batch premium gins in New Zealand using flavorful botanicals and pure artesian water. Add a gin tasting to your conference programme and let your delegates create their own gin with the Rifters team—a perfect team-building activity!

The Playground has released The Old-school Playground package designed to inject some serious fun into your corporate team outing. Individuals can move through the activities at their own leisure, choosing to engage with the activities that take their interest alongside their colleagues.

Pacific Jemm is the region's only luxury super-yacht. It is the perfect location and offers a point of difference for your next corporate event. Ideal for business conferences, product launches, sponsorship opportunities, and networking events of up to 32 guests.

Break One Clay Target Sports' The Group Experience is the perfect option for larger groups with varying skill levels. With full instruction and a scored competition, this is team building at its finest, and a great way for colleagues to have some fun with some healthy competitive spirit!

Industry Update

MEETINGS, organised by Business Events Industry Aotearoa is New Zealand's biggest national trade show for our industry. Bringing buyers and sellers of conference and incentive travel products together, this year, it will be held in Rotorua at the Energy Events Centre, from 19 - 20 June 2024. The QCB team and 22 Queenstown operators will be there representing our region. Register as a Day Buyer and pay us a visit!

SITE Australia and New Zealand chapter, the only association dedicated to incentive travel will be holding an Industry Day event in Sydney, Australia, on 13 June 2024, Sarah McDonald, QCB Manager and SITE Board member, will be attending.

The Incentive Travel Index (ITI) 2024 survey is now open. This is the business events industry’s most authoritative study of the global incentive travel market and its impact on corporations, agencies and the supply chain in destinations. Your insights and opinion for this research is highly valued so please take 15 minutes to share your thoughts.

The Tourism New Zealand Business Events team is excited to launch the new Delegate Marketing Hub, featuring more than 150 creative assets to help conference and event organisers promote their upcoming event in New Zealand.

It’s official, our Destination Queenstown Business Development team and 30 Queenstown operators will be back over the ditch for the DQ Australian Roadshow 2024 in October. These networking events are your chance to connect with a variety of Queenstown suppliers, meet the QCB team, and get the latest updates on the Queenstown-Lakes region. More details and opportunity to register will be shared in July.

Awards and Accolades

• Qatar Airways has been recognised as World's Best Airline for 2024 by AirlineRatings. The airline also received the Best Business Class award for the fifth consecutive year.
• Air New Zealand wins Best Premium Economy for 2024 AirlineRatings.

Hospitality New Zealand Awards for Excellence Queenstown entries:

• Best Hotel - Sofitel Queenstown Hotel and Spa, The Dairy Private Queenstown, by Naumi Hotels, and Swiss-Belsuites Pounamu.
• Best Restaurant - Botswana Butchery, Margo’s Queenstown, and White and Wong's Queenstown.
• Best Bar - Little Blackwood
• Best Cafe - Odd Saint 

Winners will be announced 30 July 2024.

Key Dates & Events

• 15 June: Coronet Peak and The Remarkables Ski Areas proposed opening date
• 28 June: Matariki Arrowtown Kā-Muriwai
• 6 - 21 July: NZ school holidays
• 22 August – 1 September: Winter Pride
• 23 August – 9 September: Winter Games NZ
• 3 – 8 September: Snow Machine
• 28 September – 13 October: NZ school holidays
• 16 November: Queenstown Marathon

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

Your Queenstown Convention Bureau Team