Press release from Crowne Plaza Queenstown
18 December 2008
Student intern thrives at Crowne Plaza Queenstown
Proving that study and on-the-job training combine to produce excellent results, student intern You Hwan (Lance) Ahn has
shone above his colleagues to receive Crowne Plaza Queenstown’s High Achiever Award for the second time.
The Korean student is an intern at Crowne Plaza, working as a Food and Beverage Attendant as part of his Diploma in
Hospitality Management at the Queenstown Resort College (QRC). He joined the hotel in July and in that time he’s not
only managed to win the High Achiever Award twice but was also named as finalist for Employee of the Year.
Crowne Plaza has hosted several students at the hotel over the years during its successful partnership with QRC and
other training facilities around the world.
Gavin Traill, Crowne Plaza Queenstown Human Resource Manager, said it was part of the hotel’s philosophy to support the
hospitality industry and invest in the future.
“We can help by providing students with hands on experience that hopefully produces first class hospitality
professionals and future industry leaders.
“We have a fantastic relationship with QRC. Lance is a great example of industry and training facility working together
successfully for the benefit of the student and the greater good of the industry.
“We’re currently hosting another intern from the Liverpool John Moores University in the UK who will spend a year with
us before returning home to complete his degree in hospitality.
“The initiative continues next year with the arrival of a great young lady for an internship at threesixty. Her plans
are to finish this internship in London or Germany and we are working with our IHG colleagues in those countries to make
this possible for her.”
Mr Traill said Crowne Plaza Queenstown offered an excellent learning environment for students.
“Our management team is very supportive and this filters down to all our employees so it’s a safe and highly
professional place to gain the vital practical experience and skills that the students will need in their future
careers. It also supplements the theoretical knowledge and practical skills that the students have acquired through this
excellent QRC programme.”
Crowne Plaza is located on Beach Street, opposite Steamer Wharf, and enjoys spectacular views over Lake Wakatipu and the
mountains, providing a dramatic setting for The Place to Meet in Queenstown.
ENDS