30th July 2014 Media Release

Wanaka: One of New Zealand’s largest and longest running events has been named as a finalist in the New Zealand Association of Event Professionals Awards.

Warbirds Over Wanaka International Airshow has been named as a finalist in the ‘Best New Zealand Owned Major Event’ category alongside five other finalists including the Audi Quattro Winter Games, Contact Lake Taupo Cycle Challenge and the World of Wearable Arts Show.

“It’s a great honour to be recognised by your peers. Being recognised in this way by other event professionals is very satisfying” says Warbirds Event Manager, Mandy Deans.

“Warbirds is an iconic New Zealand event which remains hugely popular more than 25 years after the first Airshow. We work hard to make sure we put on an event of international standards and get lots of very positive feedback from the thousands of visitors we attract from overseas,” says Mandy.

Warbirds Over Wanaka International Airshow is held at Wanaka Airport every second year and attracts around 50,000 people over three days. The next airshow will be held at Easter in 2016 (March 25, 26, 27).

The NZAEP Event Awards have been re-launched this year with a new format to recognise emerging leaders in the events industry and events that have positively impacted New Zealand, regional or local communities.

Head judge and former Rugby World Cup 2011 chief Martin Snedden, says the judging panel was impressed with the number of high calibre entries submitted.

“The applications were incredibly diverse, from small scale community-led initiatives to events that have drawn hundreds of thousands of visitors. But they all share one common feature – a clever idea that has been executed exceptionally well.

“It is exciting to see how many passionate, resilient and talented event professionals there are in New Zealand.”

More than 70 entries from across the country were received for nine different categories. The winners of the NZAEP Event Awards will be announced at a ceremony at Christchurch’s Air Force Museum on Wednesday, 6 August.

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