Speaking at a lunch yesterday at the Skyline Restaurant for members of the Queenstown Chamber of Commerce, Winter Games NZ Trust chairman Sir Eion Edgar told the 210 people attending the organisers were hoping to grow the event, helping Queenstown businesses.
Games chief executive Arthur Klap and two games patrons, Jucy Rentals chief executive Tim Alpe and Michael Hill Jewellers chief executive Sir Michael Hill, also spoke.
Mr Klap said organisers were focusing on engaging communities both on and off the mountains, with a 25-year vision of the games attracting 25,000 non-competing visitors to the South Island.
With that in mind, this year's programme will feature festivals in Dunedin, Naseby, Queenstown, Wanaka and Methven to create a better connection to the community.
He hoped these festival events would help attract a "cycle of casual skiing and snowboarding", with visitor growth coming from Australia, North America and the North Island.
The games will also be extended from nine to 16 days, with speed-skating events added in Dunedin and the Super G event moved to Mt Hutt from Coronet Peak.
