Latest news with #DestinationQueenstown
Otago Daily Times
04-07-2025
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
She's living locally, working globally
Les Mills International's global events manager Kylie Brittain. PHOTO: SUPPLIED Kylie Brittain is one of those few Queenstowners who can truly say they work on the world stage. The former Destination Queenstown convention bureau manager's been global events manager for Auckland-headquartered Les Mills International for the past three years. The fitness-centric company, founded by Phillip Mills and named after his father, a former Auckland mayor and champion field athlete, is represented in 23 countries. As events manager, Brittain organises three or four global fitness events a year. Once a year, 4000 to 5000 Les Mills personnel also converge for two-day workouts and activations. "One of the cool ones we did last year in Berlin was we set it up like a car wash-type thing." Brittain's also organised events in London, in Los Angeles and Portland in the United States and Riyadh, in Saudi Arabia. Currently she's working on events in Amsterdam and Tokyo. After leaving DQ 10 years go, Brittain was senior experience manager for event company The Orange Group, then formed her own company, Ripple, with Queenstowner Samantha Stirling. "Had Covid not happened, that could still very well be going now." In applying for the Les Mills position, which for the first 15 months was contracted maternity cover, "my first response was, 'obviously, I don't live in Auckland, so I'm assuming that means I wouldn't be a viable candidate"'. "And they were basically like, 'don't let the geography put you off because we have people working remotely all the time'." Brittain, who now works out of Auckland HQ one week a month, says "the coolest thing is when you actually see these events you've spent nine months working on, come to life". "You're so proud of what you do when you see people having a good time at something you've organised, and I think that's the thing that keeps you coming back all the time."
Scoop
26-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Energised Crowd Plugs In At Electrify Queenstown 2025
More than 200 attendees have gathered at Skyline Queenstown, as Electrify Queenstown 2025 launches today. The three-day programme helps businesses and households explore practical ways to reduce energy bills, electrify, and decarbonise. Within a week of tickets going live the opening day event was fully subscribed, highlighting strong community interest in electrification and innovation across the Queenstown Lakes District. Industry leaders and global experts will take the stage, including keynote speaker Dr Saul Griffith, inventor, internationally acclaimed author of " Electrify", and chief scientist at multiple organisations working on climate action and clean energy research. Commenting on the importance of the event, Dr Griffith said: 'With the U.S taking a sabbatical from climate action, the world needs climate leadership. 'New Zealand and Australia — two countries where electrification has crossed the economic tipping point — have a generational opportunity to deliver community-led electrification that will pave the way for the world to follow on effective climate action. 'What better place than Queenstown to showcase the benefits of an electrified future,' Dr Griffith said. Powered by principal sponsor, Aurora Energy for a second year, Electrify Queenstown brings together entrepreneurs, policymakers, innovators and business leaders to share opportunities to create a more resilient and sustainable future. Mat Woods, Chief Executive of Destination Queenstown and Lake Wānaka Tourism, says the region is proud to host such a future focused event. 'Electrify Queenstown will showcase leading electric innovations and practical solutions to empower both households and businesses to take steps toward a more energy-efficient, low-emissions future, often with significant cost savings. 'Whether you're exploring electric transport, improving energy use at home, or finding ways to cut business operating costs, there will be something for everyone,' Mat said. The momentum continues Tuesday 27 May, with over 300 people expected at the Queenstown Event Centre for an exhibition and tradeshow. The expo is free to attend, with more than 40 exhibitors across solar energy, home heating, cooking and insulation, EV's and charging facilities, and banks offering low-interest green loans. Attendees have the chance to test-drive seven of the latest electric vehicles, explore electric boats and e-bikes, and experience virtual reality transport technology. Electrify Queenstown will wrap up on Wednesday 28 May with an electric experience from Queenstown Marina to Forest Lodge Orchard at Mt Pisa. Queenstown Marina is home to New Zealand's first publicly accessible electric boat charging infrastructure, while Forest Lodge is the world's first 100% electric cherry orchard. Guests will be taken on a behind-the-scenes tour of this pioneering farm. Electrify Queenstown supports the region's ambition for regenerative tourism by 2030, underpinned by the keystone project to achieve a carbon zero visitor economy.
Otago Daily Times
18-05-2025
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
Tourism groups step up joint work
The Queenstown and Wānaka regional tourism organisations (RTOs) are working together more than ever, creating, it is claimed, both efficiencies and more marketing clout. The co-operation even extends to their leadership, where Destination Queenstown chief executive Mat Woods is now also chief executive of Lake Wānaka Tourism after the latter's head of destination stepped down in March. On July 1, Destination Queenstown and Lake Wānaka Tourism will also operate with the same annual plan. Mr Woods said better co-operation between the organisations had been discussed for 10-plus years. Then, during Covid, both organisations, together with the council, produced a destination management plan. Last year, the two bodies entered a shared-services agreement where data, administration and trade and business events marketing are shared between the two. "It makes sense because when you think about when the trade team goes to America, why would you send someone from Queenstown and someone from Wānaka, when we could actually send one person to talk about both regions?" Now, the two organisations had adopted a fully shared services partnership, which also embraced all their marketing, media and communications activity. "We still have two offices, but it's one lot of staff," Mr Woods said. "There's 31 RTOs in the whole of New Zealand, and we do know the current minister of tourism has said that's too many. So we're ... showing how you can work together."
