A renewed passion is behind the rise of Queenstown as an events and entertainment hub.
However, the lack of a dedicated venue and a co-ordinated approach to event management is holding the resort back.
This may change thanks to three initiatives under way. The forum Shaping Our Future aims to decide the governance structure for a district events agency on Wednesday.
Ideas for a dedicated "significant" convention centre in the Wakatipu will be brainstormed by a new group of Queenstown representatives, chaired by Mayor Vanessa van Uden, throughout the year.
Destination Queenstown is sifting through applications for a new "festival and events manager" to be not only responsible for the Queenstown Winter Festival, but also, in a widened brief, work to secure more national events for the resort.
Former Winter Festival director Simon Green and Lakes Leisure events and venues manager J.D. Marrable were asked for their thoughts on where the Wakatipu's vibrant events and entertainment scene was at.
Mr Green, a veteran events manager, past festival director and entertainer, said the diversity and calibre of events delivered by locals, for locals, had distinguished the past three years.
He praised Revolver and Lakes Leisure for returning Queenstown to the national network of touring acts after a decade in the doldrums.
Showbiz Queenstown "stepped up massively" with the risk, investment and final product, especially when it staged Les Miserables in 2009, he said.
Last year's David Bowie-inspired musical Rock and Roll Suicide was successfully cast and produced by Queenstown-based Underground Productions, which also presented the original artists' competition Songstars in July.
The same team will stage London Calling: From Beatles to Punk - The British Invasion at the Arrowtown Athenaeum Hall from tomorrow until Monday, adding a performance at the Lake Wanaka Centre on Tuesday.
The cast of 10, four guests and five-piece band perform hits by the Beatles, Rolling Stones, the Who, Pink Floyd, Queen, Led Zeppelin, Elton John, Sex Pistols and many more.
More grassroots stage entertainment will be delivered by the revitalised Remarkables Theatre. After its well-received compilation of comedy skits last summer and popular scenes from plays by William Shakespeare in summer 2010, the theatre presents the comedy Secret Bridesmaids' Business from September 1 to 3.
"A lot of this comes down to people and we're back to a nucleus of passionate people in arts and entertainment, and some support from the likes of Lakes Leisure to make some of these things happen," Mr Green said.
However, Queenstown could not compete with the main centres as a major entertainment venue because of its lack of facilities, he said.
The conference and incentive market was where Queenstown could flourish, as it had the accommodation.
In an ideal world, he would like to see a version of the Christchurch Convention Centre in the Wakatipu, he said.
Mr Marrable came from event management work overseas just over a year ago and said he was impressed with the quality of event management here.
Queenstown was in "a very good place going forward, attracting bigger and better music shows and the C&I market".
There was a strong balance between affordable events for the community, commercial ticketed events, such as the Burton Open Sessions music concert, and sporting fixtures, Mr Marrable said.
Highlights for him in the year he had been with Lakes Leisure included trade expo Trenz, in May, which demonstrated the Wakatipu had the skills to deliver large-scale events, and the one-day international between the New Zealand and Pakistan cricket teams, in January, Mr Marrable said.
The Shotover Jet Remarkable Christmas Spectacular was "a fantastic community get-together, very successful", along with The Gruffalo and Tutus on Tour.
Mr Marrable said he was excited Queenstown would host the England, Ireland, Georgia and Romania teams for training ahead of Rugby World Cup games, in September.
"It will showcase Queenstown and Otago to international media and visitors alike.
"We've got a past Rugby World Cup winner, being England, and they come with their Barmy Army.
"Who knows, on the day, there could be up to 10,000 people rock up following their team.
"We have the fantastic supporters of Ireland and let's not forget Romania and Georgia, markets we wouldn't normally get to."
Any increase in conference bookings in Queenstown in the wake of the Christchurch earthquakes was unlikely to be felt for the next 12 to 18 months, he said.
"Unfortunately, what's happened in Christchurch may benefit Queenstown in the long run, but that's a really healthy thing because we want to keep business in the South Island.
"We still source a lot of equipment, goods and services and skilled personnel out of Christchurch, so we're supporting Christchurch indirectly by picking up conferences they can no longer hold until they're back on their feet."
Live music of all genres has flourished in Queenstown over the past three years.
The first, and so far only, Peak Festival was held outside the Queenstown Events Centre in January 2009, with Salmonella Dub, Kora and Utah Saints joining others on the bill.
The owner-operators of popular club Subculture organised the debut Shotover Sunshine Festival in February, with Ladi6 featuring Parks and Julian Dyne, Opensouls, Rhythmonyx, Taos Sound System and British DJ Jstar, plus Queenstown acts on stage.
The inaugural Gibbston Valley Winery Summer Concert, in March, was a blockbuster, with a record 15,000 Wakatipu revellers being entertained by Dr Hook and band and Creedence Clearwater Revisited.
The Michael Hill Violin Competition and the Queenstown Violin Summer School both continue to attract world-class talent to the resort.
Youth competitions and a wider spread of venues gave the annual Queenstown JazzFest a lift.
Although the 33rd festival will be half its usual length again this year, running from October 20 to 24, major acts were planned for a concert on Earnslaw Park, on October 23, to capitalise on Rugby World Cup visitors.
Revolver has become a driving force in bringing top live music to the public over the past three years, both in the larger premises it moved into, in June last year, and free for the community, especially with Homelands, in the Queenstown Gardens.
The Feelers, Phoenix Foundation, Six60, Anika Moa, De La Soul and the Adults have all graced the Revolver stage.
Subculture continues to draw the cream of talent, including Tiki Taane, the Upbeats, Shapeshifter, Concord Dawn and Taos Sound System.
Dux de Lux supports original live music and has been a refuge for several Christchurch acts, such as Oval Office and Duchess Swift, who have lost venues to play in because of earthquakes.
Even St Peter's Church and the Queenstown Village Green have emerged as popular venues for live entertainment.
Looking to 2012, the Queenstown Lakes District Council-driven Summerdaze Festival will return for its eighth year throughout January.
Traditionally launched with fireworks on New Year's Eve, the festival encompasses a range of family friendly events including the popular Glenorchy Races and multisport challenges.
