Queenstown, located in Central Otago, New Zealand. It's a popular destination widely celebrated for its stunning natural landscape, variety of adventurous activities, and high-quality tourism sector. In addition to being a popular tourist spot, it is also a highly sought-after location for conferences, meetings, and events. The town offers a diverse selection of conference venues suitable for events of varying sizes, accommodating everything from small meetings to large-scale conferences and conventions.
In this article, we give you our advice on some ideal venues, what to look for and how to find the best event venue for your conference in Queenstown. Whether you're planning a corporate event, a product launch, or a team-building retreat, this guide will provide you with all the information you need to select the perfect venue for your event.
What Makes Queenstown an Ideal Location for Conferences?
Queenstown, located in the South Island of New Zealand, is considered an ideal location for conferences and corporate events for several reasons:
- Queenstown boasts breathtaking natural scenery, including majestic mountains, crystal-clear lakes, and picturesque landscapes. Queenstown's scenic beauty offers a relaxing environment that enables conference attendees to destress and concentrate on the event.
- Good accessibility, as there are direct flights from various international cities. The airport is only 15 minutes drive from central Queenstown meaning conference attendees can easily travel to and from Queenstown airport without any hassle.
- Wide variety of accommodation choices: Organisers can easily find suitable accommodation for their conferences that fits their budget. From luxury hotels to cost-effective alternatives, finding space that suits all the invitees will never be a problem.
- Conference Facilities: Queenstown has state-of-the-art conference facilities that are equipped with the latest technology and amenities. The facilities are capable of accommodating events of varying sizes, from small meetings to large conferences.
- Adventure destination: Queenstown provides a wide variety of experiences for attendees to enjoy during their leisure time or as team building activities. The activities on your doorstep consist of skiing, hiking, mountain biking, bungee jumping, and jet boating. This makes Queenstown the perfect destination for conferences that want to combine work with leisure.
- Renowned for exceptional food and wine offerings. During their stay conference attendees have the opportunity to experience local cuisine and world-class wines.
Unique Spaces for Conference Venues in Queenstown.
Queenstown offers a range of unique spaces that can be the ideal destination for conferences , from stunning mountain retreats, modern lake-side spaces in a central location to historic buildings with modern facilities. These spaces provide a memorable setting for conferences and can help to make your event stand out. Here are some of the unique spaces available to host events in Queenstown:
The Winehouse
The Winehouse is a unique venue that combines the charm of a historic building with modern facilities. The venue is located in the heart of Gibbston Valley and offers a range of spaces that can cater to conferences of all sizes. The venue also has a range of outdoor spaces, including a vineyard and a courtyard, that are ideal for team building activities.
The Lodge at Walter Peak
The Lodge at Walter Peak is a stunning mountain retreat that offers a range of conference spaces that overlook Lake Wakatipu. The venue offers a range of accommodation options, from luxurious suites to cosy cottages, and can cater to conferences of up to 40 attendees. The venue also offers a range of outdoor activities, including hiking and fishing, that attendees can enjoy during their downtime.
Mountain Club
Mountain Club is not only an event space, we are a dedicated team for planning bespoke events in and around Queenstown. We can help you plan and organise any type of occasion, from team building to awards dinners. We help tailor each event to your interests and goals for your stay so you can relax and enjoy our showcase of the region's top venues.
Our event venues are modern, relaxed spaces in the perfect setting for corporate events, meetings or team building stays. Our sites offer a range of flexible spaces to hold events, whilst enjoying great service and the breathtaking lake and mountain views. Our facilities include:
- Mountain Club Members bar & terrace overlooking Lake Wakatipu
- Boardroom style meeting rooms
- Relaxing, modern lounge and breakout spaces
- Dedicated conferences space
- Comfortable airy spaces to work, meet and socialise.
Get in touch with our event team today so we can show you how it works.
What are the important factors to consider when selecting a venue in Queenstown, New Zealand?
When selecting a conference venue in Queenstown, New Zealand, there are several important factors that should be considered.
Location
The location of the venue is key. It should be easily accessible to attendees, whether that be by public transport or car, and ideally located close to accommodation options. There are many event spaces to choose from and the location you select can range from central city location close to restaurants and transport to the
The international airport is situated in Franklin which is 15 minutes drive from the centre of Queenstown. Queenstown transport options are reliable ranging from bus & van rentals, Uber and corporate taxis
Facilities
The size of the space should be appropriate for the number of attendees and the type of event. The venue should also have the necessary facilities and equipment to meet the requirements of the event, such as audio-visual equipment, Wi-Fi, and catering services. With the additional benefits of onsite parking,
Customer Support
Additionally, the reputation of the venue and its events team should be considered, as well as the level of customer service provided. By considering these important factors, you can select a venue in Queenstown that meets your needs and ensures a successful event. For smooth running and high customer satisfaction choosing a venue that has a dedicated events team is highly recommended.
Budget
Your budget will help you define the types of corporate venues to approach. Often venues make it easy by providing you with event packages. You need to factor in the costs not just of venue hire and accommodation, but understand the additional fees and charges for services and activities.
Mountain Club offers bespoke packages allowing you to tailor your event to create the most impact. Our concierge team is on hand at all times during the planning and actual event to ensure the success of your stay with us.
Let us know the reason for your event, the impact you want to make and we can tailor an event package for you. Get in touch with us today
Things To Do Around Queenstown, NZ
Queenstown, New Zealand is one of the top destinations for stunning views and adventure. It offers a wide range of accommodation, activities and attractions for visitors. This wide choice makes planning a conference in Queenstown an exciting opportunity. Depending on the tone of the event, the time you have available and your budget there is always something to do that will create a conference to remember.
Here are some of the top things to do around Queenstown:
- Take a scenic drive - Queenstown is surrounded by stunning mountain ranges and lakes, and there are plenty of scenic drives that offer spectacular views. One of the most popular is the drive to Glenorchy, which takes you along the shores of Lake Wakatipu and through the stunning Dart River Valley.
- Go skiing or snowboarding - Queenstown is a world-class ski destination, with four ski resorts located within an hour's drive of the town. Whether you're a beginner or an expert, there's a ski resort that's perfect for you.
- Experience the thrill of bungy jumping - Queenstown is the birthplace of bungee jumping, and there are several bungee jumping sites around the town that offer this adrenaline-pumping activity.
- Take a scenic flight - Queenstown's scenery is even more impressive from above, and there are several companies that offer scenic flights over the area. You can take a helicopter or a small plane and see the mountains, lakes, and glaciers from a whole new perspective.
- Explore the town - Queenstown is a charming and picturesque town that's worth exploring on foot. There are plenty of restaurants, bars, and shops to discover, and you can also take a stroll along the waterfront and enjoy the views of Lake Wakatipu.
- Go on a wine tour - Queenstown is located in the heart of the Central Otago wine region, which is known for producing some of the world's best pinot noir. There are several wine tour operators in the area that offer tours of the vineyards and tastings of the local wines. They are great to host social events typically in picturesque settings.
- Take a boat cruise - Lake Wakatipu is the centrepiece of Queenstown, and taking a boat cruise on the lake is a must-do activity. You can choose from several different cruises, including a scenic cruise, a sunset cruise, or a dinner cruise.
- Go hiking - Queenstown is surrounded by some of New Zealand's most beautiful hiking trails, from easy walks to challenging multi-day hikes. Some popular hikes include the Ben Lomond Track, the Routeburn Track, and the Milford Track all boost stunning mountain views.
Let us help you create an event with impact.
We are specialists on everything Queenstown-Lakes and Central Otago has to offer. Our professional conference team can help you plan and organise bespoke events from team building, board meetings, and corporate retreats.
You can relax and enjoy our hospitality and our world renown adventure activities whilst knowing you have a dedicated space to achieving your goals.
Getting in touch with us today is the first step in making a great event even better.
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