"It’s added fuel to the fire," Destination Queenstown/Lake Wānaka Tourism CEO Mat Woods says.
"This year it’s around energy sovereignty, so if you look at a fuel crisis, it’s a perfect crisis for a conference like this.
"If you’re generating and producing your own electricity in New Zealand, you are controlling your own energy.
"I think energy is increasingly topical right now, whether it’s paying your household electricity or putting fuel in your car.
"People are really concerned around the cost of energy and also the availability.”
Woods says what started in ’24 as a member-capability event around decarbonisation — related to aspirations for a carbon-zero visitor economy — has morphed into a national or even international conference.
And it’s deliberately timed, too, to coincide with Queenstown’s shoulder season.
A highlight will be Monday’s political debate on the ‘the future of NZ’s energy system’ — all 400 tickets for that day have sold out.
Speakers include Deputy Prime Minister David Seymour, Labour Party leader Chris Hipkins, Energy Minister Simeon Brown and Associate Minister Shane Jones, Green Party co-leader Chloe Swarbrick and The Opportunity Party leader Qiulae Wong.
However, much of the three-day conference, starting Sunday, revolves around providing practical advice for businesses and households.
In light of this year’s conference having almost sold out, Woods can also confirm Electrify Queenstown will return next May.
