Auckland City Council
Media release

16 October 2009

Nine appointments to the Tourism Auckland Board were announced today by the joint funders of a restructured Tourism Auckland: Auckland City Council, Manukau City Council and the Auckland Regional Council.

The new Board will be responsible for guiding the strategic direction of Tourism Auckland’s marketing and management of the Auckland region as a tourist destination over the coming years. A particular focus will be on helping to ensure the Auckland region is well prepared to maximise the tourism benefits that will flow from Rugby World Cup 2011.

Councillor Ken Baguley, Chairman of the Tourism Auckland Appointments Panel, said all the candidates were strong.

“Between them, the appointments to the board have a vast depth and breadth of experience in governance, management and the travel and tourism industry.

“They will bring not only this experience but great knowledge and enthusiasm to their new roles and I look forward to seeing the future work of this board.”

Ray Salter, General Manager, Ministry of Tourism, and a member of the appointments panel, emphasised the importance of Auckland to the New Zealand’s tourism industry.

“Auckland is the gateway for more than two thirds of international visitors to New Zealand and accounts for more than a quarter of the tourism sector’s GDP contribution. Significant investment in tourism infrastructure is expected to occur in the Auckland region over the next few years and it is essential that Auckland is equipped to capitalize on this and propel itself forward as an attractive, sophisticated and diverse destination for all visitors. I am confident that the new Board of Tourism Auckland will help Auckland achieve this vision.”

The new board will take up their posts in November.

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Biographies of Board Members

Steve Bayliss, general manager, marketing - Air New Zealand

Steve joined Air New Zealand in 2004 as general manager, marketing. In this role, his responsibilities include the global marketing and sponsorship teams, direct customer communications and loyalty programmes, and the branded experience including product design and specification.

Prior to joining Air New Zealand, Steve headed up the business development area for Coca-Cola Australia and has previously held senior marketing and business development positions with a leading US bottled water and coffee company and Lion Nathan.

Peter Blackwell, chief executive officer - AA Tourism NZ and AAATourism Australia

Peter had a long history in the tourism industry before taking up his current role as chief executive officer for AA Tourism New Zealand and AAA Tourism Australia. He has previously held roles with the New Zealand Tourism Board as business development manager in LA and state manager in Queensland.

He was also vice-president/group published for WHERE International Magazine in LA and New York and worked in tourism marketing services in Pennsylvania.

Richard Didsbury

Richard has a extensive background in property along with significant experience in underwriting project risk. He is a past president of the Property Council of New Zealand and was a director of Infrastructure Auckland.

In 1992 he co-founded the Kiwi Income Property Trust. This is now the largest diversified property vehicle listed on the NZX. Richard remains a director of the company.

He is a founding trustee of The Committee for Auckland and was appointed a director of Auckland International Airport Limited in November 2007. Richard is also the key driver behind the redevelopment and rebirth of Matakana which has become a very popular destination for Auckland visitors.

Simon Jamieson, general manager - SKYCITY Hotels Group Auckland

Simon joined SKYCITY in September 2007 and was promoted to the role of general manager, SKYCITY Hotels Group Auckland in May 2008. He is responsible for SKYCITY's two luxury hotels in Auckland, The Grand and the SKYCITY Hotel, the SKYCITY Convention Centre, the Sky Tower and SKYCITY's award winning restaurants.

Simon has more than 25 years experience in large-scale hospitality businesses and has held several international general management and director roles. He is currently a director of the New Zealand Tourism Industry Association.

Stuart Neels, managing director - ATS Pacific

Stuart has more than 25 years experience in the travel industry. He is currently a board member of Inbound Tour Operators Council of New Zealand. In 1988, he was general manager of Great Sights before working in Fiji and Auckland for the Helicopter Line in 1994. In 1999 he joined ATS Pacific New Zealand where he is now the managing director.

Jan Tonkin, managing director - The Conference Company

Jan founded The Conference Company in 1990, and is a leader in New Zealand's conference industry. She is a member of the Board of Conventions & Incentives New Zealand and the council of the London-based International Association of Professional Congress Organisers (IAPCO). Jan is also a member of the faculty of IAPCO's Training Academy, teaching conference management at their flagship programme in Switzerland as well as presenting at courses held in Asia-Pacific and the Middle East.

Rodney Walshe, Chairman, Southern Travel Holdings

Rodney has had a long and distinguished career in tourism, founding The Walshe Group in 1976 which merged with Southern Travel Holdings in 2007. He is the second largest shareholder and director of New Zealand Experience, the owner of Rainbow’s End and is a member of the Advisory Board of Auckland Plus and is the current Chairman of Tourism Auckland.

Rodney was appointed an Honorary Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM) in 2000 for his services to the community and tourism. He has been the Honorary Consul General of Ireland since 1976 and has represented Tourism Ireland in New Zealand since 1972.

He is a past president of the Travel Agents Association of NZ, past president and life member of the Tourist Industry Federation and a life member NZ Institute of Travel.Rodney is a former chairman of the NZ Tourism Council and former member of the NZ Trade Development Board.

He was awarded the Sir Jack Newman Award in 2007 and has received tourism awards from the Universal Federation of Travel Agents, the Australian Federation of Travel Agents, the NZ Inbound Tour Operators Council and Tourism Auckland.

Glenn Wedlock, general manager aeronautical business development - Auckland Airport

At Auckland Airport Glenn is responsible for developing and growing new and existing commercial relationships with airline, trade and tourism customers, covering both passenger and freight activities.

Glenn is a former chief executive of Southern Hemisphere Proving Grounds and Mitre Peak Cruises and has previously worked with Infratil Airports in Europe and Christchurch International Airport. In addition, Glenn has worked for Mt Cook Group Ltd as head of marketing for the Mount Cook Group Ski Areas including Coronet Peak, The Remarkables and Mt Hutt. He has also served on a range of tourism bodies such as Queenstown Winter Marketing, Ayrshire & Arran Tourism Board (Scotland), NZ Ski Marketing Network, Ashburton District Tourism and Mt Hutt Marketing Group.

Simon Wickham, chief executive - Trusts Stadium

Simon is currently the chief executive of the award winning Trusts Stadium in Waitakere, Auckland, Waitakere’s Tourism and Hospitality Business of the Year. The former Chief Executive of Yachting New Zealand, Simon has a strong appreciation of the sporting and events environment having hosted several intenational events, concerts and festivals during his tenure at The Trusts Stadium, including the World Netball Champisonships.

Simon’s recent governance experience includes serving on the Board of the New Zealand Olympic Committee since 2005 (current Deputy Chairman) and he has recently been named Chair of NZ Gymsports.

He also serves as a selector for the New Zealand Olympic Committee currently working on the London 2012 Olympic Games, Dehli 2010 Commonwealth Games and the Vancouver Winter Olympics and in the past has selected teams for Beijing 2008 , the Melbourne and Manchester Commonwealth Games Team and Turino Winter Olympic Games. He has also served as a member of the NZOC Board’s Audit Committee.

ENDS

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