New Concert And Entertainment Company Launches In NZ

Media Release from Greenstone Entertainment
23 January 2013

New Concert And Entertainment Company Launches In New Zealand

Greenstone Entertainment, a new entertainment and concert company, has been launched into the New Zealand market.

Greenstone is 100% owned and operated locally with a focus on delivering exceptional value and world-class entertainment. It has offices in the North and South Island, in Taupo and Queenstown.

The company has brought together the talents and business expertise of Alpine Entertainment and Gibbston Valley Winery, with the aim of bringing high profile entertainers from around the world to perform concerts throughout New Zealand, in some of the most breathtaking locations.

Gibbston Valley Wines is a multi-award winning and pioneering Central Otago winery which this year is celebrating the 25th anniversary of its first commercial grape harvest. During that time, the winery has won more than 300 national and international awards, helping put the region on the map.

Alpine Entertainment has proved hugely successful in the entertainment industry in New Zealand, establishing good relationships with entertainers and suppliers and building a reputation for high standards of professionalism and delivery.

Gibbston Valley Wines owner Phil Griffith will serve as Chairman of the new entity, while Amanda Calvert, formerly head of Alpine Entertainment, is the company’s CEO.

"We understand the New Zealand market and it’s not the same as the Australian market, we solely focus on the New Zealand customer,” said Mr Griffith.

“Our goal is to deliver world-class, premium concerts and entertainment in key regional New Zealand locations.

"To do that we've joined the expertise and financial strength of Gibbston Valley Wines with Amanda Calvert and her professional team at Alpine Entertainment providing the concert experience to create a new type of entertainment company.

"Additionally we have created strong relationships with local suppliers throughout the country and put major emphasis in supporting local businesses and the wider community at each venue destination.”

The companies have worked together for the last two years bringing such acts as Credence Clearwater Revisited and Dr. Hook to Queenstown in 2011, and Little River Band and the Doobie Brothers in 2012 in their summer concert series.

"We are building a company with long-term goals," said Ms Calvert. "I know we can deliver anything that Australian promoters offer except we price it and run it with New Zealanders in mind, offering exceptional value, beautiful regional locations, and outstanding live international entertainment.

“We're already in the process of working on who our acts will be for 2014 for the Summer Concert Series held each February.”

Ms Calvert said ticket sales for the 2013 Summer Series featuring Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo, Bachman & Turner and America were going "extremely well" in all four centres -- Taupo, Matakana, Wellington and Gibbston Valley.

“Based on current sales, we’re anticipating that all shows will be sellouts,” she said.

“We’re always in search of new venues and are on the lookout for New Zealand talent to join with our international artists’ line-ups.”

Mr Griffith is a highly successful US businessman with many business interests in New Zealand. He has a strong business and entertainment background, with particular expertise in establishing and running hotel and casino operations.

He bought, managed and developed a number of casinos and related businesses in the US before selling those interests 10 years ago to enable him to concentrate on other business projects there and in New Zealand, where he and his family were granted residency.

“Greenstone Entertainment has a bright and exciting future and we’re all looking forward to growing this business,” said Mr Griffith.

1/ The 2012 Summer Concert Series at the stunning Gibbston Valley location

2/ The crowds enjoying the music in the sun at the Summer Concert Series

ENDS

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