Trenz, a tourism industry event that is expected to bring more than 1000 delegates to Dunedin, starts today.
It is the first time Dunedin has hosted the event, which takes place at the Edgar Centre and is run by Tourism Industry Aotearoa.
City businesses have received training in how to present Dunedin's best face for the event, and Emerson's Brewery has got into the spirit by producing a limited-edition beer for the conference.
It is called Dunedin Golden Ale, and delegates will get their first taste of it during the opening event at Forsyth Barr Stadium tonight.
Director of Enterprise Dunedin John Christie said Emerson's had created a bespoke beer that ''captured Dunedin in a bottle, which from our point of view completely echoes the authentic and creative way our city can respond to events”.
In line with the quirky sense of humour that underlines all Emerson's products, the label blurb offers the following observations:
“After drinking this brainwashing liquid, you’ll be Dunedin’s biggest fan. You’ll bore anyone within earshot with facts like, ‘Dunedin has such a great vibe’, ‘Dunedin has beautiful white sandy beaches’, and ‘Dunedin has exceptional beer’.
''Aside from tasting like propaganda, this lightly hopped golden ale is crisp and refreshing, like our weather. And dry, like our humour. Take a sip, and spread the word”.
Brewery founder Richard Emerson said they were ''extremely proud'' to have been brewing in Dunedin for the last 25 years.
"Trenz gives us an opportunity to show the rest of the world what a fantastic place Dunedin is, our little part is creating a Dunedin Golden Ale for Trenz delegates to have a little taste of Dunners.”
