Otago MBA Blog

Destination Queenstown announced yesterday that Otago MBA 33 graduate, Ben Chapman is appointed to the role of Trade Manager.

Destination Queenstown (DQ) is pleased to announce that Ben Chapman will join the regional tourism organisation as its new Trade Manager this week.

Ben starts at DQ this Thursday (1 July) and will work alongside outgoing Trade Manager Catriona Noonan until her departure on 9 July.

Ben brings 11 years of sales and marketing experience to his role and a comprehensive knowledge of the Southern Lakes tourism industry. He previously held Sales and Marketing Manager roles for both Cruize Milford and NZONE Skydiving and was a finalist in the 2007 PATA (Pacific Asia Travel Association) New Zealand Young Tourism Professional of the Year Award.

Ben holds a Bachelor of Commerce in Marketing and has just returned from the USA where he completed the final phase of his Otago MBA at the University of North Carolina.

Destination Queenstown CEO Tony Everitt is delighted to welcome Ben to the team and believes he will be a real asset.

“Ben has a strong trade background and brings a good working understanding of the local tourism industry to his new role,” he says. “We’re really looking forward to working with him.”

In recognition of the increasing number of travel agents who are active in both the leisure and Conference and Incentive markets, Ben will also work closely with DQ’s Queenstown Convention Bureau team.