The group was set up after the Queenstown Chamber of Commerce identified a need for a specific group to drive the CBD forward.
An alliance of local businesses, it will operate as a separate entity with its own board.
Downtown QT manager Steve Wilde told the Otago Daily Times the launch was an opportunity for stakeholders to take charge of their own destiny.
''Businesses can continue to throw open their doors and hope for the best, or they can come together and plan a united way forward.''
He said some businesses in the town centre had succeeded simply because of their location. But he said this was short-sighted and he urged businesses to come together, allowing for more success.
This process would include input to council strategy and planning.
Transport and car parking were an example of what the group should get involved in, he said.
''Downtown business stakeholders need to make sure their views are understood and listened to. The only way that will happen is if these businesses join together in a large group and, essentially, push their case.''
Mr Wilde will be joined at the meeting tomorrow by guest speaker Chris Wilkinson, an expert in town centre management.
''Queenstown's CBD could be a shopping and dining destination in its own right - not just linked to adventure tourism,'' Mr Wilkinson said.
''It has got that potential. We want to ensure it has a commercial environment to also drive food and beverage success. We could see more people coming into the resort instead of opting for a weekend in Wellington or Auckland.''
Mr Wilkinson, from the First Retail Group, will put together Downtown QT's strategy document with support from council funding.
He explained Queenstown was moving quickly in terms of its visitor demographic.
The group's job was to work with local businesses to rationalise what success looked like in the CBD, compared with other Queenstown hubs such as Remarkables Park.
It was vital the community engaged with the forum, he said.
Downtown QT will be funded by the business community on a voluntary basis; the minimum membership is $350 a year. CBD stakeholders, including business owners, staff and landlords, are invited to the Memorial Centre function tomorrow at 5.30pm.
- Louise Scott
- additional reporting Philip Chandler
