INDEPENDENT NEWS

DNA Gay Ski Week Queenstown dazzling success

Published: Mon 3 Sep 2012 05:04 PM
3 September 2012
DNA Gay Ski Week Queenstown dazzling success
Event organisers and visitors alike are already making plans for the 2013 gay and lesbian event of the year event following a hugely successful DNA Gay Ski Week held in Queenstown.
The week-long winter pride event closed with The GAYDAR Fluoro dance party at The World Bar on Saturday night (September 1). Organisers Sally and Mandy Whitewoods estimate the event brought through more than 1000 visitors to Queenstown and the Southern Lakes region throughout the week.
They said they were “thrilled” with the success of their first event and “blown away” with the level of support shown by the Queenstown community.
“We’ve hosted jam packed events all week long and it just couldn’t have gone better,” said Sally Whitewoods. “We knew we were off to a great start with significant pre-event ticket sales, then as the week went on interest just grew and grew.
“It’s been an amazing week and we’re all already looking forward to next year.”
“I’ve heard amazing feedback from Gay Ski Week attendees who were impressed by our little piece of paradise and the welcome they received, and can’t wait to see what we have on the programme in 2013.”
Sally and Mandy Whitewoods announced the dates of next year’s Gay Ski Week Queenstown which will be held from Saturday August 31st until Saturday September 7th 2013.
DNA Gay Ski Week QT also organized a local business competition, the More FM ‘Gay on the Bay’, requiring Queenstown businesses to submit a photo of their best ‘gay effort’. The images were posted on facebook and those businesses campaigned for ‘facebook likes’.
“The businesses that took part in Gay on the Bay made a huge effort so well done to all of them,” said Mrs Whitewoods.
“The Village People entry from Outside Sports was outstanding and I loved how Browns changed their window sticker just for Gay Ski Week. i-SITE Queenstown made a stellar effort, but at the end of the day it was a collection of amazing rainbow cakes in the shop window at Cup & Cake Queenstown which took the prize of a $1000 Q92 MoreFM advertising package.”
Mrs Whitewoods said she and wife Mandy could not have achieved what they did for their first event without the support of sponsors and the Southern Lakes community.
“This year was all about us showing the gay and lesbian community the standard of event we are capable of putting on, and encouraging them to visit Queenstown and the region all year round and not just for Gay Ski Week.
“The support of sponsors has been outstanding and we’re looking forward to welcoming many of them back for 2013.”
More details about the 2013 programme will be posted on www.gayskiweekqt.com.
DNA Gay Ski Week QT 2012 was proudly supported by DNA magazine, Broken Shed, SKYCITY Queenstown Casino, KIRRA Holidays, GAYDARgirls.com, Gaydar.com.au, LOTL, i-SITE Queenstown, curve, Winedown Central Otago, More FM Queenstown, BONZ, rainbow warehouse, Nautilus Wines, Cardrona Alpine Resort, Rata, puregaynz.com, QGuide and Veuve Clicquot.
DNA Gay Ski Week Queenstown 2013 dates
Saturday August 31 – Saturday September 7 2013
Queenstown New Zealand
http://www.facebook.com/gayskiweekqt
ENDS

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