Better Events.
Greener Gatherings, Brighter Futures.
About Better Events.
Better Events by WAO is led by the Better Events Collective—a passionate group of event organisers, suppliers, sustainability advocates, and local government representatives working together to reshape how events are run in the Queenstown-Lakes District. Established in February 2025, the Collective is on a mission to create events that do good for both people and planet. Through collaboration, shared resources, and a commitment to zero waste, the Collective champions innovation and systemic change—empowering the sector to lead by example and create meaningful, lasting impact.
Workshops & Events
2025 Events
coming soon
Our vision
An inclusive Queenstown-Lakes District events sector that puts people first and has a positive social impact for all stakeholders.
Events play a key role in the shift towards regenerative tourism by 2030, as champions of innovation, collaboration, seamlessly shared resources, and zero waste. By building a value-driven ecosystem, we lead by example to drive transformation.
Our mission
The Better Events Collective aims to strengthen partnerships, foster collaboration, and drive change within the events and tourism ecosystem by raising awareness, guiding education, and leveraging collective insights to accelerate change within the sector.
Meet Kelcey.
With over two decades of experience in the events industry, both locally and abroad, Kelcey Radford has recently joined the Wao team as the facilitator for the Better Events Collective.
The Collective will work as a cluster to facilitate and coordinate collective action on waste minimisation and emissions reduction for events in the Queenstown Lakes District. All are welcome. If you are interested in joining the working group, please contact Kelcey.
Regenerative and Resilient
Events that foster social cohesion, and have a positive impact on environment and community
Circular Economy
Foster innovation to support the transition to a zero waste, circular events economy
Partnership and Collaboration
An inclusive events eco-system voice to accelerate transformative change
Keen to get involved?
Get in touch to find out more or join the collective: events@wao.co.nz
Want to run better events? Join our newsletter and stay in the loop with the latest news, upcoming events, and exclusive early access to our workshops. You'll also get practical tips, tools, and insights to help you create events that are sustainable, circular, and full of impact. Be the first to know, and the first to make a difference.