As autumn settles over Queenstown and Wānaka, the region moves into one of its most dynamic periods for business events. Clear days and colourful landscapes set the tone for a productive season, with conferences, incentives and corporate gatherings filling the calendar from March through May. With delegates travelling from across New Zealand and beyond, there’s a strong sense of momentum building across the district.
On the team front, we’d like to acknowledge the incredible work and dedication Jess Langelaan showed during her two and a half years with the Queenstown Convention Bureau (QCB), first as Account Manager, and ultimately as Business Development Manager, MICE. Following Jess's departure, we are pleased to welcome our new BDM, Ben Owens, who has returned to Queenstown after 13 years in Canada. A former local, he maintains strong connections within the region from his earlier roles managing the Winehouse, operating his own café, Grind on Glenda Drive, and working in tourism sales and marketing with Whyte Waters Group.
Looking ahead, we’re looking forward to welcoming the QCB New Zealand & Australia Famil in April, hosting nine corporate buyers from both regions. In addition, our Business Events Guide has recently expanded to include suppliers from Wānaka, providing even greater choice across the wider region.
This time of year invites forward planning; it’s an ideal opportunity to secure venues and shape programmes that make the most of the region’s diverse offering. From distinctive meeting spaces to immersive off-site experiences, the Queenstown Lakes district offers a setting that encourages connection and fresh thinking.
Kind regards,
Ben, Stu, Cyndi and Luisa
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The Queenstown Convention Bureau team enjoyed connecting with event planners from across Asia and the Pacific at AIME 2026 last month in Melbourne, generating eight leads for the destination.
Overall, with 41 exhibitors from across the North and South Islands, Aotearoa New Zealand had the largest footprint at the event, showcasing once again a strong and united presence.
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After two decades operating as QT Event Management, the business is rebranding to QDM (Queenstown Destination Management). QDM is dedicated to Queenstown-only destination management, including accommodation, venues, dining, activities, logistics and guest experience. It is a new name, but the same people, standards and service that clients have trusted since 2006.
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Planning a business event in our region? The Forward Outlook resource provides insights into current accommodation occupancy levels in our region. This graph indicates that business events held in April, May and June can benefit from improved accommodation availability and more competitive rates, offering greater flexibility when selecting venues.
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Queenstown Limited Edition Monopoly boards are becoming the go‑to gift for conference and incentive groups. These boards give your delegates a fun, very local way to take a piece of Queenstown home with them. Created exclusively by the Queenstown Business Chamber of Commerce, every purchase supports local thriving Queenstown businesses.
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Considering Wānaka for your next business event? We have recently updated our Business Events Guide to include Wānaka suppliers. This guide connects you with experienced local suppliers who know how to bring exceptional events to life. It’s a great starting point for event planners when developing programmes in both regions.
Need more information or want to connect with the Bureau team? Get in touch for free, impartial advice to bring your business event vision to life.
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- Jetstar is launching a new international route out of Christchurch, with direct flights three times per week to Perth, Western Australia, taking off from October this year. The airline's Queenstown-Brisbane service launches in June 2026.
- Origin Air has launched a direct service between Christchurch and Nelson that began on 13 February 2026.
- Qantas launched Wellington-Brisbane flights on the new Airbus A220 in February.
- Air New Zealand has wrapped up its four-month trial of the ALIA CX300 battery-electric next-gen aircraft. It flew 100 flights, 13,000km and visited 12 airports.
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REGENERATIVE TOURISM INITIATIVES
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Alpine Luxury Tours, a popular supplier for corporate and incentive groups, has become a Love Queenstown Impact Partner, donating 1% of its proceeds each year in support of grassroots conservation projects that protect the landscapes, waterways, and wildlife that make this region unique.
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Catch a Fish is quietly reshaping the lake experience with its custom solar‑powered electric trolling‑motor charter - low-impact, low-noise, and purpose-led. Ideal for corporate groups of up to six looking to explore the alpine lakes of New Zealand’s South Island, including Lake Wānaka, Lake Hāwea, and Lake Whakatipu in Queenstown.
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Luxury accommodation and property management company, Relax it's Done, has also become an Impact Partner for Love Queenstown, donating 1% of their net earnings to Love Queenstown each year. As mentioned above, these funds are pooled for collective impact before being allocated to local charitable organisations that deliver tangible environmental action in the region.
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Coronet Ridge Resort opened its doors in late December 2025, following a major redevelopment. The new five-star alpine retreat offers 40 refined rooms, dining and wellness experiences, including a boardroom-style seating meeting room for up to 30. Perfect for corporate groups looking to relax and recharge in an alpine setting, minutes from central Queenstown.
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Marriott International will debut its St. Regis luxury brand in New Zealand with a new hotel in Queenstown. Scheduled to open in late 2027, the new-build is expected to feature 145 rooms, with views of The Remarkables mountain range and Lake Whakatipu, along with signature bar and dining offerings, an all-day dining venue, event space and St. Regis’ butler service.
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Radisson Hotel Group will open the new-build Radisson RED Hotel Queenstown in early 2028. The 221-room lifestyle property, located a short walk from the town centre, will feature all-day dining, a rooftop bar, meeting rooms and a gym, enhancing Queenstown’s hotel offering for both leisure and corporate groups.
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IHG Hotels & Resorts and Pro-invest Group are converting the 227-room Holiday Inn Express & Suites Queenstown into voco Queenstown, repositioning it within IHG’s premium portfolio. Popular with corporate groups, the hotel will also be refurbished, with upgraded meeting spaces, a new private dining room, new outdoor dining areas, and the addition of a restaurant and bar.
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Sherwood Queenstown has appointed Flack Studio to lead its room refurbishment, with works starting in Q2 2026. The project will reimagine guest rooms while retaining the hotel’s sustainability philosophy and distinctive character, reflecting a new chapter in Sherwood’s evolution under Corval and EVT’s Independent Collection.
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Hulbert House has expanded to eight rooms with the addition of the new McFarlane Room. The property continues to offer an all-inclusive stay, including personalised concierge services, complimentary e-bikes and guest transfers, further enhancing its boutique luxury experience in Queenstown. An ideal exclusive-use option for incentive groups.
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Stratosfare Restaurant at Skyline Queenstown will open on 19 March, in its recently completed building, offering a refreshed dining space high above the lake and town. Available for seated lunches and dinners, the restaurant can host up to 230 guests, ideal for corporate group dining. In addition, a new gravity-inspired attraction - The Vortex Slide - will be opening later in 2026
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Lou Baddiley recently relocated to Queenstown from Rotorua to be MICE Sales Manager at RealNZ. Working closely with partners to showcase the best of Queenstown, with a strong focus on hosting, on-the-ground delivery, and client engagement. Lou is passionate about creating memorable experiences and strengthening connections that bring delegates to the region.
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Ivona Hadzhiyska has recently joined Queenstown Destination Management (QDM) and The Cargo Collective as Head of Events & Partnerships. Ivona works alongside clients to bring conferences, incentives and corporate events to life across the region and at the Brew Hall. Collaborating closely with local suppliers to curate programmes for the destination.
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Introducing Peaks to Paradise, Heli Glenorchy's newest C&I experience in collaboration with Dart River Adventures. Guests begin with Heli Glenorchy, soaring to exclusive landings at Earnslaw Burn and Mount Alfred. Followed by a landing at Paradise Beach connects to a private Dart River jet boat adventure through braided channels and ancient beech forests.
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Skyline Queenstown’s Stargazing Experience is now available year-round for private groups of up to 22 guests. Hosted at the summit terminal, it offers guided exploration above Queenstown's night sky. An ideal addition to corporate programmes, it pairs seamlessly with dining at Stratosfare Restaurant for incentive groups, executive retreats or client hosting.
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Latitude 45 delivers exclusive corporate wine experiences in Queenstown, offering premium group experiences with ultra-luxury vehicles, exclusive-access vineyards, and guided regional exploration. Designed for incentive and executive groups, each experience combines wine education, seamless logistics, and bespoke delivery for corporate hosting.
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Real Guns Ltd is offering supervised shooting range in the Cardrona Valley, delivering structured team-building and incentive activities for corporate groups, and Queenstown Stargazing, launched in 2025 within the Kawarau–Gibbston Dark Sky Park, provides guided after-dark experiences suited to delegate programmes and private functions.
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New Zealand's first floating sauna, Watershed, brings a distinctive incentive experience to Lake Whakatipu, combining sauna sessions and cold plunges with mountain views. Corporate buy-outs and curated two-to-three-hour packages suit team rewards or executive off-sites. Each experience can be tailored to team priorities, performance, bonding or celebration.
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Limousine South has appointed Edward Smith‑Uchotski as Key Accounts & Business Manager. The company has also expanded its fleet with three new 16‑seater Mercedes Sprinters, enhancing capacity and flexibility for South Island tour operations and supporting growing demand for premium, reliable transport solutions across the region.
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The New Zealand International Convention Centre (NZICC) opened its doors on Wednesday, 11 February 2026, marking a major milestone for Auckland and New Zealand, with more than 100 events confirmed for 2026.
Tourism New Zealand Business Events will host its own South East Asia Market Activity for 2026, from 10-12 March. This will take the form of two ‘road-show’ style events in Malaysia and Singapore, maximising the opportunity across both corporate & incentive and association buyers for these events. HQ New Zealand and Cyndi Feng, Account Manager, Asia, from DQ and LWT will be attending.
Business Events Industry Aotearoa's (BEIA) Hosted Buyer applications for MEETINGS 2026 close on Friday, 10 April. Apply now to attend New Zealand's largest business events tradeshow. In addition, as part of the Hosted Buyer Programme, there is an opportunity for Australian visitors to express their interest in attending a Pre-MEETINGS familiarisation in our region or others across New Zealand.
BEIA will hold their BEIA Conference and AGM from 28-29 October 2026 in Christchurch. This two-day conference will see industry professionals come together to learn, collaborate and network with the purpose of elevating business events in New Zealand.
NZ business events are worth nearly $1bn, with new research from BEIA showing pre- and post-conference travel is a big contributor to visitor nights.
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- NewZeal & NewZeal Teams are the first New Zealand-based adventure guiding organisation to achieve Certified B Corporation status. Certified B Corporations are part of a global community of businesses that meet verified social, environmental, and governance standards.
- Holiday Inn Express & Suites Queenstown was one of the first properties in the country to be awarded the Green Key certification.
- Queenstown Airport was named Large Airport of the Year at the 2025 New Zealand Airports Awards in Blenheim in October 2025. The award recognises exceptional performance right across the business.
- Hilton Queenstown Resort & Spa was named New Zealand Meetings & Conferencing Property of the Year at the HM Awards 2025. Rendezvous Heritage Hotel Queenstown was named highly commended.
- QT Queenstown was announced as the New Zealand Boutique Hotel at the HM Awards.
- Crowne Plaza Queenstown was awarded the New Zealand Midscale Hotel at the HM Awards.
- Sofitel Queenstown was recognised as highly commended in the New Zealand Luxury Hotel category at the HM Awards.
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Discover more events in Queenstown & Wānaka with a complete guide to our best attractions
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YOUR QUEENSTOWN CONVENTION BUREAU TEAM
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