The 21st Annual Global Achievers epic weekend in Queenstown has been hailed the best ever by agents who attended.
150 top selling Travel Agents from all over Australia flew in to Queenstown on Friday afternoon thanks to major partners Air New Zealand and Virgin Australia to kick off two fun filled days of reward, recognition, celebration and adventure as part of the Global Achievers program.
The group of leading agents from Australia’s metro cities and regional areas to as far-away as Kununurra in Western Australia all qualified individually to become this years Global Achievers by being the top sellers of Qantas Holidays, Viva Holidays, Rail Tickets, Travel Indochina and ReadyRooms for Agents.
Blessed with beautiful weather to show off one of the most spectacular places one earth, the event began in fine style on Friday evening with a traditional Maori welcome, sunset food and drinks and some serious luge racing action up at the iconic Skyline complex high up above the lakeside town.
Soaking up the view at The Skyline. Pic: Matt Leedham
Smiles all round at the event opener. Pic: Matt Leedham
Rising bright and early on Saturday morning it was then off to taste first hand some of Queenstown’s best adventures and experiences with six different activities to soak up and get the adrenalin pumping.
The all day activity program included riding the infamous Shotover Jet, zip lining through the trees, bungi jumping for the absolute die hards (of which there were many takers!), a rugged 4WD safari through Lord of the Rings country, riding inflatable canoes down the Dart River, White water rafting and some high country sheep station exploring for the more relaxed of the group.
All the activities were combined with an abundance of local gourmet food and wines and treats to keep those energy levels up and prepare for the main event – the Global Achievers Gala dinner on Saturday night out at stunning, Mt Soho Estate, a vineyard set amongst a mountain backdrop twenty minutes out of Queenstown.
The black tie Gala Dinner was a lavish affair with plenty of the vineyards Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris to quaff and a delicious, and locally sourced produce three-course dinner.
Mc for the night – ‘Packed to the Rafters’ star Hugh Sheridan. Pic Matt Leedham.
The 2014 Global Achievers 500 Club. Pic: Matt Leedham
The lavish Gala Dinner. Pic: Matt Leedham
The night also featured Packed to The Rafters actor star Hugh Sheridan as Mc and a brilliant live set by X Factor star Tyler Henderson that the crowd absolutely lapped up. The night kicked on til’ late with more live entertainment and dancing.
The awards for the night recognised this years Global Achievers 500 club of which there were around 25 winners.
The weekend finished on Sunday with attendees either flying home or taking off to a number of post event famils around New Zealand thanks to Tourism New Zealand.
The State Global Achievers for 2014 were;
- ACT – Kennedy Cooper – Queanbeyan City Travel and Cruise
- NSW – Angela Kaluzyn – Skilled Travel
- VIC – Stuart Coffield – Geelong Travel
- TAS – Baden Brown – helloworld Launceston
- WA – Luke Mule – helloworld Morley
- SA – Sarah Phillips – Platinum Escapes
- QLD – Jill Johansen – helloworld Mackay
And the National Global Achiever of the year was;
- WA – Sarah Phillips from Platinum Escapes
Congratulations to all the winners and to the entire Global Achievers for 2014!
