Thu 21 Jul 2011 In: New Zealand Daily News View at Wayback View at NDHA
"Absolutely devastated doesn't come close to describing how I am feeling," Mike Sanford. The company which runs Gay Ski Week has gone into voluntary liquidation and the event's founder is hoping for a miracle in the form of a last minute white knight investor, who will allow the event to go ahead. The week of gay fun in Queenstown and its surrounding slopes is scheduled to begin this Saturday, but at this stage it will not go ahead. "Over the past few months I have been actively seeking funding and support to ensure that it did not come to this," Mike Sanford says. "I did manage to secure a financially solid investor but unfortunately two weeks ago the deal fell through when they failed to provide the agreed funds. Since then I have been searching for an alternative investor to refinance the business unfortunately the last attempt failed earlier today. Upon legal advice I have no other option but to liquidate the company and event… unless a white knight comes forward now," he says. "As with many other events the funds from pre-bookings are used to operate and promote the event in the form of marketing materials, prize giveaways as well as securing entertainment and venues. Every other year everything falls into place unfortunately this has not been the case this year." The issues Sanford cites as causing the problems for Gay Ski Week include moving the event from its usual time in September to July to avoid clashing with the Rugby World Cup, ongoing earthquakes, the ash cloud which killed June bookings completely and later than expected snowfall. Sanford says the sponsorship market is tough and has left the company down $15,000 on 2010, while there has also been a $12,000 drop in support from local Queenstown businesses. Event and party ticket sales were also slower than expected in June. Sanford has asked for urgent assistance from Tourism New Zealand, Destination Queenstown, Air New Zealand and the Minister of Tourism's office, all to no avail. Ultimately Gay Ski Week does not have the funds to go ahead and those who have tickets join Sanford "on the creditors list". "I cannot express how sorry I am," Sanford says. "Absolutely devastated doesn’t come close to describing how I am feeling. This would have been our ninth year but sadly due to events out of my control, I have lost everything - nine years of hard work gone. "There are still going to be many guys coming to Queenstown unfortunately the ground support staff will not be there." If anyone wants to discuss last minute funding of NZ$30,000 they can email mike@livewiregroup.co.nz
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Thursday, 21st July 2011 - 10:58am