Queenstown businessman Eion Edgar, instrumental in bringing the Oceania National Olympic Committee (ONOC) general assembly to the resort last week, said it was one of the best things he had ever been involved in.
Mr Edgar, president of the New Zealand Olympic Committee (NZOC), suggested four years ago when the assembly was held in Brisbane, that it one day be held in Queenstown. Despite feeling "a bit nervous" about hosting 150 international delegates for the week, including some of the most powerful figures in world sport, Mr Edgar said the event had been "outstanding" for its outcomes and for raising the profile of the town and country.
"Having International Olympic Committee president Jacques Rogge here added a real status to the conference," Mr Edgar said.
"He enjoyed it and each of the 17 nations of ONOC were able to spend time with him. We had very successful elections for the ONOC executive and as part of that we were able to say farewell and thanks to Kevin Gosper, who had been president for 20 years."
NZOC secretary-general Barry Maister will see his involvement with the Oceania National Olympic Committee increase as he takes over the vice-presidency. He steps up to support the newly-elected Dr Robin Mitchell, who was appointed president. Dr Chris Milne will chair the Medical Commission.
Mr Edgar said there were good presentations by the four Olympic candidate cities for 2016 - Madrid, Chicago, Rio and Tokyo - and the seven sports that wanted to be added to the Olympic programme.
Updates by Lord Coe on the 2012 Olympic Games as well as on the inaugural Youth Olympic Games in Singapore in August 2010 were well received, he said.
The bid cities will deliver their final presentations and a selection will be made at the general assembly in Copenhagen on October 2.
Mr Edgar said event co-ordinator Vicky Hill, the staff of the NZOC and the Millennium Hotel did a wonderful job in hosting the event. There had also been "great support" from Wakatipu businesses.
He said the conference had raised the profile of Queenstown among many influential people and demonstrated how easy it was to host a quality conference.
"Many of the delegates have said they will return privately with their spouses and families, so there should be some ongoing business."
