Mitsubishi Electric was forced to change plans after COVID-19 scuppered intentions to take the top New Zealand sellers of its products to Nashville, Tennessee in 2020. Instead, the top performers, hailing from Wellington, Christchurch, and Auckland, met closer to home in Queenstown for an action-packed five-day incentive itinerary aimed at celebrating and rewarding their achievements.

Queenstown Convention Bureau assisted throughout the planning of the event, which saw attendees enjoy luxurious accommodation in Queenstown’s Gibbston Valley Lodge and Stoneridge Estate.

Optional activities included the adrenaline rush of Jet Sprints and a 4WD adventure at Oxbow, or more sedate spa treatments at the Hilton. A highlight was the helicopter transfer to the “absolutely spectacular” Fiordland National Park for an overnight cruise in stunning Milford Sound. 

Guests dined out on New Zealand’s exceptional cuisine, including pre-dinner drinks and canapes in  the Gibbston Valley Wine Cave, followed by a welcome dinner at Gibbston Valley Lodge; lunch at the Cargo Brewery Waitiri Creek; an Awards Dinner at Stoneridge Estate, plus a highly popular hoedown and BBQ at Moonlight Country. The ‘Nashville in Queenstown Dinner’ themed dress up event was complete with live band and line dancing in homage to the event’s intended destination.

Trish Stenzel, marketing manager BDT-Mitsubishi Electric, says the experience received rave reviews from Kiwi participants awe-struck by the “incredible beauty” on their own doorstep. Many proclaimed it their favourite incentive trip, despite staying within New Zealand.

“We’ve been going on these trips for the last 15 to 20 years now and we’ve been all over the world, but I’m telling you, Queenstown can match any international destination".