New Zealand gets a new ICON in Queenstown

Heritage Hotels in Queenstown last week opened its new convention centre – Icon.

New Zealand Minister for Tourism, Damien O’Connor (Left), officiated at the opening in front of an audience of Australian and local PCOs and dignitaries.

“I don’t believe a more suitable name (Icon) could have been chosen for this facility” he said after a fine banquet lunch was served to the receptive audience.

“With facilities like this, in remarkable locations, we will continue to attract the convention and inventive market from Australia and the rest of the world.”

A much needed facility in the incredibly beautiful region and city of Queenstown, the Icon Convention Centre will fill the C&I void which ,up until now has driven the lucrative market to other destinations.

Queenstown Mayor, Clive Geddes applauded Heritage Hotels’ charge-leading initiative.

“We’ve long realised that we need to move from traditional travellers and focus more in the conference market. We now realise that the opportunities in the conference market will change the face of tourism in Queenstown” he said

As with most destinations which sit outside the big cities, Queenstown has relied on its natural beauty and world class ski attractions to draw overseas visitors. While the varying seasons produce highs and lows in occupancy levels, the provision of a purpose built convention centre will iron out the peaks and troughs and open the way for the lucrative corporate spend.

Icon Convention Centre is unique. Arguably equipped with one of the most stunning views in the world of any meetings facility, it sits on Lake Wakapitu with the imposing Remarkables Mountains as a backdrop.

But inside, the facilities and meeting space hits the right chord.

Capable of holding 200 delegates theatre style and 160 in a banquet configuration, the centre is located on the second floor of the Heritage Hotel easily connecting superb accommodation with the meetings space.  The rooftop terrace which has uninterrupted views of the lake and snow-capped mountains can accommodate 200 pax for a cocktail party. Weather contingencies are thought through and a marquee can be installed on the roof to combat Queenstown’s changeable climate.

The construction process has incorporated the latest Green Globe requirements and conforms to environmentally sustainable design. And with an environment like Queenstown, it’s one that needs to be protected.

by Kevin Moloney