Lake Wānaka Tourism’s (LWT) refreshed brand will be one of the issues featured at the organisation’s open day for businesses and the community at the end of this month.

The open day is being held to help locals gain a better understanding of LWT’s role and to learn more about the new brand identity, general manager Tim Barke said.

LWT has been undertaking extensive consultation to gain a deeper understanding of the community’s values and vision for the future, he said.

“A key theme of the consultation sessions was the need to review and revise LWT’s role to ensure that we have a clearly articulated focus that will drive our brand and strategy going forward,” he said. 

LWT marketing and communications manager Gizelle Regan told the Wanaka App, while the open day will include examples of the new branding, “a brand is so much more than just a logo or symbol”.

She said LWT staff will be talking as much about the process and the shared values that came out “loud and clear” throughout the consultation process. 

LWT general manager Tim Barke invited anyone interested in Wanaka’s future to come along. PHOTO: Supplied

The consultation process was led by strategist and facilitator Kate Smith, with the brand identity work being undertaken by design specialist Britt Davies from Studio Acht - both of whom will be available at the open day to talk through the process.

Funding from MBIE enabled LWT to develop a Wanaka brand framework document, which will form the basis of a website redevelopment and approach to all new content and assets, Gizelle said. The website redevelopment will be completed in late September.

The open day will take place on Wednesday June 30 at the Wanaka Community Hub.

There will be two sessions, the first running from 9:15am to 11:15am and the second 1.15-3.15pm.

At both sessions Kate and Britt will discuss Wanaka’s brand evolution and Tim and LWT board chair Mat Woods will talk about the organisation’s destination management plan and regenerative tourism.

“The plan is for a relaxed drop-in session, with some scheduled presentations, and open forums throughout the day,” Tim said. “We encourage anyone interested in the future of Wanaka to come along - you are most welcome to come for an hour or stay for the day.”

To RSVP for the morning session click here, or for the afternoon session click here.

Alternatively, email [email protected].

Lake Wānaka Tourism is a regional tourism organisation formed in 1993. It is a membership-based incorporated society with more than 450 member businesses.