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WOW Showcases Wellington to the World
4 October 2005
WOW Showcases Wellington to the World
Wellington buzzed with visitors and media during the World of WearableArts™ Awards Show, September 23 through October 1, 2005.
“The World of WearableArts™ Awards Show not only provided a significant economic impact for Wellington at a traditionally quiet time, it also showcased our city to the world. We’ve received a lot of positive feedback, not just about the show, but also about how Wellington supported the event,” says Chris Lamers, General Marketing Manager of Positively Wellington Tourism.
“Retailers themed their windows, the streets were decked out with banners, there was a street parade and Wellington Airport themed the terminal. All of this ensured anyone who came to Wellington knew the show was on.”
Retailers saw a huge benefit from WOW. “This was a massive weekend in Wellington for many retailers,” says Barry Hellberg of the New Zealand Retailers Association. “Retailers felt the windfall directly. Cash tills were ringing, and visitors were spending large amounts of money, especially in the gift and homeware categories.”
Media from Australia, the United States, and even as far away as the Netherlands, China, Korea, Thailand, India and Japan, as well as New Zealand magazines and newspapers, attended the event with rave reviews.
Keith Bellows, editor-in-chief of National Geographic Traveler Magazine, felt that WOW was a world-class event, highlighting the creativity of New Zealanders.
Evatt Robinson of Australia’s LINO magazine called WOW a “visual spectacular to rival Cirque de Soleil”, and said it should be showcased to Australia and the rest of the world.
Tourism industry representatives from New Zealand and Australia also enjoyed attending WOW in Wellington. “I loved the show, and found it to be extremely professional and well organised,” says Andrea Steinhart, General Manager of Inbound for Landmark Travel.
“It’s great to see a wonderfully creative New Zealand event developing and growing,” says Air New Zealand General Manager Australia Michael Reed, who attended WOW for the first time. “It offers Wellington many opportunities going forward both from a New Zealand and an international perspective.”
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