The 2008 American Express Queenstown Winter Festival will be home from June 27 -July 6 to a host of big name entertainers, home-grown action events, fantastic purpose built venues and much more.

Providing a Festival of this calibre would not be possible without the contributions of its many supporters.

Sponsorship is an integral part of the American Express Winter Festival and this year organisers are delighted with the support they are receiving from businesses both, large and small, international and local.

“Sponsorship is a great way for these companies to engage with the community”, Winter Festival Director Sally Feinerman said.

“No matter how large or small, their contribution to Festival is appreciated and recognised.”

The title sponsor American Express has been connected with the Festival for 17 years and supports many a Festival favourite, as well as some exciting new additions. Their name is attached to events like the American Express Opening Party and Fireworks, the Jazz Night and this year they will also be supporting the American Express Gourmet Experience.

Taking a new direction this year is long-term Festival supporter Lindauer. Just one of the many events they are connected with this Festival is the ‘Powder Room’, a special purpose marquee where guests to Festival can take time out and receive free make-up from Smash Box cosmetics.

Sponsors Air New Zealand has scheduled the first ever festival themed flight on June 27 direct from Sydney to Queenstown. Targeting an Australian audience, passengers will enjoy live music from New Zealand rock band Good Night Nurse, in-flight mischief, excess baggage waivers and a goodie bag full of Festival essentials.
''Australians are some of festival’s greatest supporters and this awesome themed flight is an amazing way to kick off Festival,'' says Ms. Feinerman.

The start of Winter Festival also marks the unveiling of the newly upgraded facilities at Coronet Peak. On the first weekend of Festival June 27-28 Coronet Peak will officially open its $30million overhaul, showcasing a massive base-building upgrade alongside the worlds most advanced automated snowmaking system.

A newcomer to the sponsorship family is Kawarau Falls Station who has put their stamp on an exciting new venue shipped to town especially for Festival. Covering over 600 metres the ‘Kawarau Falls Station Pavilion’ will be situated on the Ballarat Street car park at the bottom of Stanley Street and in close proximity to the Queenstown CBD, ‘Kawarau Falls Station Pavilion’ will be the Festival Hub. Inside its luxurious interior will be the place to catch live performances, grab a coffee or just simply soak up the Festival atmosphere.

Kawarau Falls Station a Melview Development on the shore of Lake Wakatipu will be a unique four season resort village including five star hotels the luxury Westin Hotel, Intercontinental, Quay West Resort and Melviews’ own Quadrant Hotel a unique four star accommodation experience. The lakefront development is now well above ground with the Westin and Quadrant to open in late 2009.

Melview Managing Director Mr. Nigel McKenna said ‘We are proud to support an event of this scale and one which supports the Queenstown community”. The Kawarau Falls Station Pavilion will host the Winter Festival events such as the After Party, the Jennifer Ward Lealand –‘Falling in Love Again’ tribute to Marlene Dietrich, comedy and gourmet events.

The American Express Queenstown Winter Festival runs from June 27 to July 6, with more than 50 events and over 150 entertainers it is the Southern Hemisphere’s premier winter event.

Check out the online programme for more details and to BOOK your Tickets

www.winterfestival.co.nz