CASE STUDY
Finsure's Queenstown National Summit
The Client
Established in 2011, Finsure has evolved into one of Australasia’s largest finance mortgage aggregation groups. Finsure has been working with FCM Meetings & Events (M&E) since 2017 to bring their annual National Summit for mortgage brokers, and industry partners.
The Event
This year, over 200 guests gathered for a four-day event in Queenstown, New Zealand. The event program blended a conference filled with learning, networking, and celebrating, followed by a little luxurious downtime at a retreat. With a growing footprint in New Zealand, paired with Queenstown’s scenery and laid-back vibe, it was the perfect spot for both professional growth and unwinding.
Goals & Objectives
FCM Meetings & Events started planning 12 months ahead, ensuring everything from event logistics to group travel was in place and aligned with Finsure’s goals:
Create multiple moments for connection between brokers and industry partners.
Give sponsors their time in the spotlight, showcasing their brands where possible.
Balance learning and leisure with a conference and retreat.
Showcase and engage amazing local vendors, keeping it luxe and fun.
Keep the energy light, sociable, and far from work.
Our Approach
Welcome, conference & gala
The event kicked off with a cocktail function on the Hilton Resort & Spa’s level two terrace, which offered breathtaking views of Lake Wakatipu as guests mingled to the tunes of DJ Wildflower. The next day, the conference located at the Hilton featured a mix of internal and industry speakers, including MC Tom Williams and keynotes by Winter Olympian Alisa Camplin and coaching legend Wayne Bennett. The event combined leadership strategies, practical takeaways, and future trends.
The gala dinner was held at the Winehouse, a hidden gem in the hills. The pre-dinner drinks on the croquet lawn dazzled with its natural scenery and flawless execution. Guests moved into a fitted-out marquee with floral installations, a large LED screen, and plenty of comfy lounge areas. Food and drinks flowed as Furnace and the Fundamentals kept the dance floor alive, with the after-party continuing back at the Hilton.
Retreat
The retreat was designed as a high-end incentive, no work, just relaxation. Guests were whisked away on a scenic helicopter ride, landing at a picturesque location in Shotover Country for sparkling wine and photo op before heading back to Mt Rosa Wines. The afternoon was filled with exclusive access, acoustic tunes from Chad Robinson and Matt Smith (of Thirsty Merc fame), local wines, charcuterie boards, and brews. Guests even picked up some bottles of wine to take home.
The final evening wrapped up with a private dinner at The Grille by Eichardt's. This lakeside spot with casual fare and canapés, capped off the informal evening and provided guests an opportunity to explore Queenstown central before the trip wrapped up the next day.
We couldn’t have pulled this off without our amazing local vendors. Alpine Luxury Tours handled the helicopter and transfers smoothly, even when plans changed last minute. Queenstown Catering delivered flawless service, (shoutout to Andy and the team for clearing 100 dinner settings in under 10 minutes!).
Mt. Rosa Winery provided a memorable experience with their delicious wines, while local suppliers like Major and Minor, Truly Yours, Prestige Marquees, and Flock Events made sure the whole event felt intimate and special. Bespoke Florals turned our vision into reality with beautiful designs, and Tom Tom Productions nailed the AV setup.
- Sonya Limpic-Waddell, FCM Meetings & Events Senior Project Lead
Challenges
What’s an event without a few curveballs?
The original helicopter landing location had to be changed last minute due to weather. We quickly implemented a backup plan and kept things on track.
With just one service elevator for the Hilton’s level two terrace, everything from furniture to food had to be lifted one by one. The onsite team kept everything running smoothly despite the logistical challenge.
A late weather change called for an additional marquee, squeezed into tight confines without compromising the view.
Last-minute flight changes for 74 guests tested our group travel team, but they adjusted the bookings seamlessly, and ensured everyone arrived on time.
Outcomes
Queenstown was an absolute hit and is looking like a repeat contender for future events.
The retreat was a huge success, and the team are already looking into ways to make it even bigger with more guests and partners next year.
The event exceeded expectations, creating stronger bonds and relationships between guests.
Collaboration with local vendors was spot on, resulting in strong partnerships and smooth event flow.
Guests loved the seamless event flow and the laid-back, welcoming atmosphere.
Client feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with plans for a larger, more inclusive event next year.
Planning for next year’s event has already kicked off, taking on board all the guest feedback and key takeaways.
See you next year, Finsure!
With our National Summit done for another year, it's time once again where I rave about how amazing the FCM Meetings & Events team are and how incredibly proud I am of what they have accomplished. Each year, we set ourselves the seemingly impossible task of delivering an even greater event than the previous one. And yet, somehow, the team managed to do the impossible.
After surveying our delegates, we received an 80 net promoter score from our brokers and a perfect 100 from our lender partners! I'm also proud of the incredible team behind the scenes, Eva, Sonya, Katie, Marianne, and Renee. I couldn't have asked for a better team to bring this vision to life, and I'm excited to see what next year brings.
- Chris Byrne, Head of Marketing, Finsure