Lucky charity named – votes are in for Ziptrek’s Locals Day recipient

by October 05, 2017

Media Release from Ziptrek Ecotours Queenstown’s vibrant community has spoken – rallying together to vote for the voluntary organisation which will receive thousands of dollars from an annual fundraising day. Multi-award-winning tourism company Ziptrek Ecotours put the ‘power to the people’ in a Queenstown ‘first’ to decide which deserving organisation should receive the proceeds from…

With 56% of the votes, the winning cause is the iconic Wakatipu High School’s Year 10 Branches Camp.

Queenstowners will ‘take to the trees’ on Sunday October 29 for heavily discounted trips on the Kea 6-line or Moa 4-line tours, with 50% of proceeds going to Branches.

Ziptrek Ecotours director Trent Yeo said he was “delighted” with the community response.

“With the rise in social media use by locals and visitors, this was the perfect opportunity to take our iconic Locals Day to a whole new level,” he said.

“Ziptrek has been holding locals’ days to ‘give back’ to our community since we launched nearly eight years ago.

“All three of the organisations do a superb job for our community, but we had to go with one and it’s fantastic to see Branches Charitable Trust named as the worthy recipients, voted on by the general public.

“Now we’d love to see their supporters out in force on locals’ day, ‘zipping through the trees’ for hopefully a record-breaking day in aid of such a good cause.”

Branches Camp is a 12-day Wakatipu High School Year 10 outdoor camp held in remote Skippers Canyon. It’s regarded as a ‘rite of passage’ by all past and present students, and the Trust was formed in 2009 by locals concerned with escalating costs of running the camp.

Branches Charitable Trust Secretary Belinda Crichton said they were “over-the-moon” to have won the “people’s choice” vote.

“We’re delighted to receive the recognition for the work we do to keep the Branches Camp affordable for the high school community,” she said.

“We encourage everyone that’s voted to join us for a fun zipline adventure on October 29.

“With a combination of nature and adrenaline, the Locals Day will be the perfect warm-up for Branches Camp!”

Ziptrek has raised a total of $150K to date supporting local groups including Lakes Family Centre, Youth Booth, Wakatipu Search & Rescue, Kiwi Birdlife Park, St Johns Ambulance, Queenstown Scouts and Wakatipu Reforestation Trust.

Leading the way in zipline innovation and sustainable business practice, Ziptrek Ecotours launched in New Zealand in November 2009 and since then has completed nearly three-quarters of a million zips through the forest canopy on Queenstown Hill on ‘gravity fed ziplines’.

Picture caption:

1/ Queenstown locals will ‘take to the trees’ to raise money for the local high school’s Branches Charitable Trust

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Internationally-experienced marketer embarks on key role for IHG New Zealand

by October 04, 2017

Media Release from IHG New Zealand  IHG New Zealand has welcomed internationally-experienced Kelly Eichholtz to the position of Area Director of Sales and Marketing New Zealand. Based at Crowne Plaza Auckland, Kelly is responsible for building and developing InterContinental Hotel Group’s (IHG) New Zealand-based sales, marketing and revenue teams. Kelly has joined the Auckland team…

Christchurch-born Kelly launched her IHG career in London, spending a total of six years working in sales and marketing for flagship properties, including Crowne Plaza London – The City. She also worked as a key account manager representing 68 properties throughout the UK and Ireland.

Before returning ‘home’ to IHG and New Zealand, she was Director of Business Development at the five-star Hilton London Bankside, as an executive member of the opening team.

Commenting on her appointment, Kelly said she was thrilled about overseeing the company’s New Zealand portfolio.

“It’s an exciting time to be working for IHG in New Zealand as we are fortunate to have a great mix of brands across the region,” she said.

“We have other key developments planned, new properties coming on board and growing markets in Auckland and Christchurch.

“I want to continue to grow and evolve our leading sales, marketing and revenue teams to build a proactive and innovative vision.”

Outside of work, Kelly has a passion for travel, and following her return from the UK is keen to explore the holiday destinations of Asia Pacific.

IHG Area General Manager New Zealand Tim Pollock said Kelly possessed outstanding leadership qualities.

“Kelly’s expertise and experience at an international level, along with her ability to integrate top line strategies, is a substantial asset for IHG,” he said.

“It’s a time for development and growth across the country, and we’re delighted to welcome talent like Kelly at such an exciting time.”

IHG operates six properties in New Zealand including InterContinental Wellington, Crowne Plaza hotels in Auckland, Queenstown and Christchurch and two Holiday Inn properties in Rotorua and at Auckland Airport.

Picture caption:

1/ IHG New Zealand’s new Area Director of Sales and Marketing Kelly Eichholtz

 

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Three-time Deloitte Fast 50 winner — MAXRaft recognised again for outstanding growth

by October 02, 2017

Media release from MAXRaft Queenstown-based company MAXRaft is celebrating achieving outstanding growth for the third consecutive year. Recognised as one of New Zealand’s fastest growing companies by Deloitte, the award-winning company was named the Fastest Growing Manufacturer for Dunedin and the lower South Island at the recent Deloitte Fast 50 regional awards. This is the…

MAXRaft has an expected revenue growth of over 225% for 2017, making it a serious contender for the national Deloitte Fast 50 index for the third time in a row. National winners will be announced in Auckland on November 9 as part of the Deloitte Festival of Fast Growth.

The company ranked 15 in the national index for 2016 with a growth rate of over 405%, and 33 in 2015 with growth of over 257%.

MAXRaft designs and installs the only fully-insulated concrete foundation slab on the market, credited with creating warm, healthy and energy-efficient homes from the foundation up.

Delighted with the win, MAXRaft general manager Henry Edney said the award was testament to the company’s hardworking team.

“To be ranked as one of New Zealand’s fastest-growing businesses for the third year is exceptional,” he said. “And to be twice named Fastest Growing Manufacturer for the lower South Island is outstanding.

“We have to put this down to the fact that we’re noticing an industry shift as consumers continuously strive for innovative and good quality products.

“Innovation is key to economic growth and we’re changing the way people think about foundations through the manufacture of our fully insulated slab.

“Our company has achieved impressive year-on-year growth due to our point of difference and our mission to help New Zealanders build better homes.

“And with continued revenue growth, our teams of contractors across the country and full-time onsite crews in Central Otago continue to grow.”

Launched in 2013, MAXRaft’s revolutionary residential building slab system is being continuously improved to offer New Zealanders an affordable solution for warm, healthy and energy efficient homes – saving homeowners hundreds of dollars each year on heating and health bills.

Entrants for the 2017 Fast 50 are required to be in business for a minimum of three years, and have had a minimum operating revenue of $500,000 in FY15.

Queenstown’s Deloitte Director Dan Hellyer congratulated MAXRaft for its innovation in business.

“MAXRaft has joined an exclusive club by making the Deloitte Fast 50 index for the third year in a row, a real achievement considering how hard it is to make it onto the list in any one year,” he said.

“This recognises the strategy MAXRaft has employed to get their superior product across the country quickly and have a real presence in each of their major target markets.

“Growth companies are employing more people and contributing to economic growth in our regional and national economies.

“MAXRaft has been working hard to ensure it grows in a sustainable way and they’re constantly innovating and testing new concepts to further improve their offering. We hope to see this drive push them into the Fast 50 again in 2018.”

The Deloitte Festival of Fast Growth is a full-day event where Fast 50 companies will hear from inspirational speakers, network with other winners past and present, interact with industry experts and celebrate their success.

For more information about MAXRaft go to www.maxraft.co.nz

Photo caption:

1/ MAXRaft offers warm, healthy and energy efficient homes from the foundation up

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Social Wine Bar mixologists ‘shaking things up’ at Crowne Plaza Christchurch

by October 02, 2017

Media release from Crowne Plaza Christchurch Would you like that shaken or stirred? How about both?? Crowne Plaza Christchurch has lined up ‘the best cocktail alchemists of their age’ to quench the collective thirsts of the garden city. Leading this band of ‘bar brothers’ is Social Wine Bar Manager Kolin Abassi along with Leo Bancale…

Every year Patron sets out on a worldwide quest and a handpicked cocktail wizard from each representative country goes forth on a trip of a lifetime to the grand finale in Hacienda, Mexico where the overall Patron Perfectionist will be crowned.

After logging many hours after work behind the bar, Leo’s formulating has found him in the finals of the New Zealand entries. His ‘Taitanic’ Mai Tai-inspired cocktail is blended with homemade jackfruit jam and garnished with pandan leaf, or what he likes to call the “vanilla of Asia”.

Leo is set to showcase his cocktail in Auckland on 11 October where it will be sipped, inspected and critiqued on all components from originality to aesthetics and of course, the all-important flavour. He hopes it will be more successful than the Titanic’s ability to dodge icebergs.

He isn’t alone — the bar boys are triple threats with all of them originating from long-standing hospitality backgrounds and award-winning restaurants from around the globe.

Kolin’s career started very close to home at his own mother’s restaurant in Avignon, France at the tender of 10. Subsequently he chased his passion to London and studied to become a sommelier, qualifying to work in several European Michelin-star restaurants. His habit of darting around the world and leaving broken hearts in the dust gave him the nickname ‘fantôme’, French for ‘phantom’.

“Being a part of the opening of the Social Wine Bar has meant I’ve had the opportunity to put my own twist on the cocktail menu, giving it a little ‘je ne sais quoi’” he said.

“The creative process with the mixology was fun and something we’re all very proud of.

“We work really hard on the floor here, but we like to be cheeky and have a lot of fun too, especially with our customers. We’re proud of our cocktail menu but enjoy being challenged if customers request something totally unusual.”

Leo Bancale is also a well-seasoned globetrotter and has worked in various hospitality and hotel outlets, starting in the Philippines 10 years ago and then moving around Queenstown, Australia, Auckland and now Christchurch.

“I love being on the go and being able to work in such a universal industry has let me work in some pretty cool venues,” he said.

“I also picked up some pretty fun flaring skills in Singapore which never fails to draw a bit of a crowd!”

Corey Ellis was drawn to the industry at 18 when he started waiting tables. In no time he scaled the ranks to become maître d’ of a 150- guest restaurant before helping open a Jazz and Whisky bar.

“Making people’s stay enjoyable is what I get a buzz out of, and I’ve got to admit I do throw great parties,” he said. “Funnily enough my favourite cocktail is a cosmopolitan, I appreciate a well-balanced citrus drink.”

The boys’ most recent feat is the two show cocktails they invented to help promote Social Wine Bar’s partnership as an official bar venue of the Christchurch Arts Festival.

Kolin’s concept ‘Ziggy Starman’ cocktail is a futuristic sci-fi inspired cocktail reminiscent of glam-rock pop icon Bowie himself. It is infused with mint caviar, fresh mint and vodka.

Leo’s ‘Velvet’ cocktail stirred into life from the jazzy, loud disco divas of the Arts Festival’s Velvet show and New York’s famed cocktail bar, The Clover Club, evoking the bar’s atmosphere of vintage glam.

Picture caption:

1/ Crowne Plaza Christchurch Social Wine Bar cocktail alchemists (L-R) Leo Bancale, Corey Ellis and Kolin Abassi

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