Tributes were paid by Vance Boyd, Mark Quickfall, Erna Spijkerbosch and Mary Todd, with the man of the moment also making a speech.
"I've often said it's nice that people have said that apparently I've been OK at my job.
"I've tried to do the best I can and be professional and passionate about Queenstown . . . and if I haven't done that, I've wasted 10 years of my life, Mr Kennedy said in reply.
"I also would be the first person to say that Destination Queenstown is not one person . . . it's a team . . . it's you guys that make it [work].
"It's actually about all of us together.
"I reflected on that about two weeks ago when Destination Lake Taupo imploded . . . people say it could never happen in Queenstown, but it could happen anywhere.
"Thank-you all for your support.
"For the future of Destination Queenstown, all I can say is make sure you continue to work together and if you have arguments, try to have them behind closed doors."
About 80 people attended the evening.
