Regional Tourism Organisation Destination Marlborough has today announced two appointments to the Board of Trustees and a new Chair to lead the organisation into 2013. 

Barry Maister, ONZM is welcomed on to the Board of Destination Marlborough, while Brent Marshall, owner of Chateau Marlborough has been reappointed for a further two year term.

Nigel Gould has been nominated the Chair of Destination Marlborough replacing Joe Ferraby who has retired from the Board after completing his current two year term.

Olympic Gold Medalist Barry Maister is a current member of the International Olympic Committee and a Sport New Zealand International Sports Ambassador. 

Mr Maister was recently involved in assessing city bids for the Olympic Winter Games 2018 for the International Olympic Committee.  Mr Maister is now actively involved with the office of Major Events New Zealand within the Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment sharing knowledge with the team on assessing NZ bids for international events.  

Incoming Trustee Barry Maister says “I am strongly of the view that events, including conferences and the like, both nationally and locally, provide significant financial and social capital, and much needed stimulus for this region.  I see Marlborough as being blessed with the potential opportunities it has to offer in this regard, and that was a contributing factor in my wife and I shifting to live here last year.”

Mr Maister said of his international experience and networks “I would certainly like to contribute those experiences in this region, for an organisation that in my short time here, I have come to respect for its positivity and enthusiasm for making things happen in the region.”

The Board farewells Trustee Joe Ferraby who joined the Board in June 2007, becoming Chair in September of that same year.   

Outgoing Chair Joe Ferraby says “I have enjoyed the last six years as the Chair of Destination Marlborough.  The organisation has made huge progress and has a team of hard working and highly regarded staff achieving great results for the organisation.  It has been rewarding to work with such a motivated group of trustees and I wish the new Board all the best as they continue to keep Marlborough strongly represented on the tourist map.”

Incoming Chair Nigel Gould, a co-owner of the Bay of Many Coves Resort in the Marlborough Sounds joined the board in January 2012. Mr Gould has extensive commercial and governance experience including having served as Chair of Centreport Wellington for 22 years up to 2008 and Chancellor at Massey University for a term of six years and currently as Chair of the Civil Aviation Authority.

Nigel Gould says “I have really enjoyed the opportunity of participating in Destination Marlborough’s activities during this past year on the board and have particularly appreciated Joe’s leadership.  His energy and contribution has certainly put the Trust on a very sound footing.”

The appointment panel included Councillor John Leggett, Chamber of Commerce General Manager Brian Dawson, and the two Council-appointed directors of Destination Marlborough, Allan Scott and Barbara Faulls.  Commenting on the process, the convener of the committee, Allan Scott noted that there were a good number of applicants with a range of skills and business experience.  This reflects the high standing of Destination Marlborough in the community and increasing recognition of the importance of tourism to the Marlborough economy.

“Barry’s outstanding range of skills and business experience, international networks and passion for the Marlborough region are valuable attributes to bring to the already strong skills based Board of Destination Marlborough.”  says Allan Scott.

Barry Maister joins Trustees Nigel Gould (Chair) Thomas Davis, Allan Scott, Barbara Faulls and Brent Marshall following his re-appointment for a further two years.  Wine Marlborough General Manager Marcus Pickens continues to serve as a co-opted Trustee.

Destination Marlborough is the regional tourism organisation responsible for promoting Marlborough as a visitor destination both domestically and internationally. The organisation also manages the Marlborough Convention Bureau and operates the Blenheim and Picton i-SITEs and is a partner in the Interislander i-SITE.