Much has happened in five years

Press, 28 September 1984, Page 13

Much has happened in five years

The Canterbury Promotion Council was formed as an incorporated society in July, 1979, and appointed its first executive officer in

October of that year. At that time, 70 financial members, one part-time and two full-time members of staff, and the Canterbury Public Relations Office still remained from the days of the now dissolved Canterbury Progress League and the Christchurch Convention Bureau.

Five years later, much has changed, and the new organistion has a long list of achievements. Membership has grown to more than 500..

The staff now consists of four full-time and four parttime employees, and about 20 temporary members of staff have been employed for periods of from three to 12 months under Government employment schemes.

The public office has been given a new look as the Canterbury Information Centre.

- In five years, much more has happened than can be listed here.

Highlights would have to include travel promotions in Perth, Sydney, Queensland’s Gold Coast, Tasmania, Auckland, Wellington and Levin, and the publication of the “Christchurch and Canterbury Visitors’ Guide,” “Guide to Canterbury Picnic Spots,” “Convention Planners’ Guide to Christchurch,” and many specialpurpose Christchurch and Canterbury brochures. Highlights would also include hosting the Australian Federation of Travel Agents’ Convention, and staging a Canterbury Tourist Forum, a Small Tourist

Business Seminar, and regular, city-sights familiarisation training tours for frontline staff in the local tourist industry.