2019 YoungTEC Awards finalists announced
YoungTEC is proud to announce the finalists of their 2019 Excellence and Go with Tourism Rising Star awards. With a record breaking year of entries, these awards recognise the outstanding efforts and contribution of YoungTEC members to the development of New Zealand’s tourism industry.
Go with Tourism Rising Star Award
The finalists for the 2019 Go with Tourism Rising Star award are:
- Zac Watson, ATEED, Auckland
- Moerangi Vercoe, Rotorua Canopy Tours, Rotorua
- Ella Spittle, Southern Discoveries, Queenstown
Zac showed great achievement on the Go with Tourism and Auckland Ambassador programme and how innovative he was with working with a newly developed team. Its evident he has a huge passion for the industry.
Moerangi demonstrated strong development through all areas of Rotorua Canopy Tours from operations, marketing and strategy to then achieve overall business goals. She has a great connection with the local schools to promote tourism as a career.
Ella presented her success of redefining Southern Discoveries brand and launching the campaign ‘go further, get closer, discover more’. She is clearly a passionate and skilled marketer.
YoungTEC Chair Nicole Botting says ‘The Go with Tourism Rising Star applicants showed an incredible passion for tourism and a motivation to make a real change in our industry. We are humbled and inspired by these remarkable young people, and I personally cannot wait to see where their careers take them’.
The Go with Tourism Rising Star winner receives complimentary registration to the 2020 Tourism Export Council Annual Conference, YoungTEC Summit and Xmas Symposium, as well as $500 to assist with travel expenses courtesy of the Tourism Export Council of NZ.
Excellence Award
The finalists for the 2019 Excellence award are:
- Nicole Botting, Maverick Digital, Auckland
- Rachel Leinhardt, Skyline Rotorua, Rotorua
- Anthony Longman, Tourism Central Otago, Central Otago
Nicole has excellent and broad experience as well as contributions across a number of roles so early in her career, including Brand Manager for Kiwi Experience and Discover Waitomo at Tourism Holdings, bringing the Christchurch Story to life as Destination Marketing Manager at ChristchurchNZ and her recent role Head of Delivery at Maverick Digital. Outside of her employment she demonstrates an impressive development of the next generation of tourism professionals through leading the YoungTEC Executive and events for the YoungTEC members.
Rachel achievements are highlighted with the marketing campaign and strategy she has obtained over the last four years at Skyline Rotorua. Her passion for the tourism industry is evident through the voluntary work she is involved in, including being a BYATA Board member and YoungTEC mentor.
Anthony demonstrates success through his Digital Marketing role at Tourism Central Otago and substantially growing the Eat.Taste.Central event and involvement with the Responsible Camping Programmes and the community ‘Tidy the Trails’ event. Outside of his work he shows great motivation in the adventure world, including Race Director for the most challenging marathons in Australasia ‘Shotover Moonlight Mountain Marathon’ and is involved with various boards; Mountain bikers of Alexandra, Central Otago Whitewater and Freestyle Kayak Association.
Tourism Export Council of New Zealand’s (TECNZ) Chief Executive Judy Chen says “our YoungTEC members who have become finalists have excelled in the outstanding efforts and contribution and development of New Zealand’s tourism industry. Congratulations to all 2019 finalists”.
The Excellence award winner receives a two-week professional development placement in one of Tourism New Zealand’s international offices, flights and accommodation sponsored by Air New Zealand and Accor Hotels, and two weeks room only accommodation courtesy of the Tourism Export Council.
Thanks to our partners Air New Zealand, Go with Tourism and Tourism New Zealand for supporting us.
The winners will be announced at the TECNZ Xmas Symposium, Auckland on 4 December.
Registrations for this event are available here.
ENDS
About YoungTEC
YoungTEC is an organisation of young tourism professionals under the age of 36 years who are members of Tourism Export Council companies. A YoungTEC membership offers regular networking events with other young professionals in the tourism industry, educational workshops and a professional development programme complete with a mentor which gives you the most up-to-date tourism information and tips to take into your own workplace.
For more information on YoungTEC and to find out how to become a member visit www.tourismexportcouncil.org.nz/ytec or go to their Facebook page www.facebook.com/youngtourismexportcouncil.
For more information please contact:
Louisa Turner – YoungTEC Communications
027 480 7252
young@tourismexportcouncil.org.nz