Destination Queenstown appoints business development manager

Destination Queenstown (DQ) is pleased to announce the appointment of Aaron Halstead to the position of Business Development Manager, Study Queenstown.

Aaron has a strong sales and operational background and is currently based in Melbourne where he works as the Client Strategy Manager for the Royal Flying Doctor Service. Prior to this, Aaron and his family were based in Queenstown, where he held senior roles with NZSki, Quark Expeditions (Antarctica) and Alpine Safety Auditors.

Aaron holds a Master of Professional Practice – Social Entrepreneurship and a Bachelor of Applied Management - Strategy. Originally an army officer and international mountain guide, he also has a number of paramedic and alpine safety and rescue qualifications as well as a background as a polytechnic lecturer.

Having worked within both the tourism and business development fields, Aaron brings a wealth of experience to the newly created role.

Study Queenstown is an education sector led initiative that has been formed to promote Queenstown as a world class study destination in both the domestic and international markets. Supported by Education New Zealand’s Regional Partnership Programme, Study Queenstown has been established within Destination Queenstown as a complement to the organisation’s destination marketing mandate.

Aaron will be responsible for identifying opportunities to maximise Queenstown's exposure to the education sector and achieving student growth through an innovative and competitive approach, ensuring these opportunities maximise benefits for Study Queenstown (SQ) stakeholders.

Destination Queenstown CEO Graham Budd is delighted to welcome Aaron to the team.

“Not only does Aaron have strong experience in business development but he also has a great understanding of Queenstown and what it has to offer potential students and visitors. I am excited to welcome him to the Study Queenstown role - a position only recently created in line with the widening of DQ’s mandate. Aaron’s broad skills will make him a great addition to the DQ team.”

Aaron will commence his role on Monday 16 November 2015.