Cheers to New BeGINnings

Cheers to New BeGINnings: THA's Great Customer Experience Program Comes to King Island - An Exciting Expansion!

At King Island Distillery, we are overjoyed to share that the Tasmanian Hospitality Association (THA) has expanded its Great Customer Experience program to our beautiful island. This initiative is set to elevate hospitality standards and showcase King Island's distinct charm and offerings.

A Journey that Began with a Vision

Our story began with a heartfelt and hopeful email from me, Heidi Weitjens, sent to THA on the 15th September 2022, after witnessing a captivating presentation of THA's 2030 strategy. Intrigued by the possibilities, I reached out, expressing my desire to see King Island included in this meaningful initiative, ensuring our local operators could benefit as well. Much to my delight, our efforts materialised, and in October 2022, we received confirmation that a visit from the THA Team was going to happen.

In my initial outreach, I expressed my genuine excitement about the potential opportunities the THA Great Customer Experience Program could bring to King Island. I inquired, "I am genuinely excited about the potential opportunities that The THA Great Customer Experience Program could bring to King Island. As a passionate member of our local business community, I believe that participating in this program could offer invaluable support for our operators. I would love to know if there is a possibility for consideration of our inclusion in the program, as I wholeheartedly believe that King Island has much to contribute to the Tasmanian hospitality collective”.

To my delight, I received an encouraging response from Brad Upton, who confirmed, "It is absolutely possible for you to participate in the Great Customer Experience program... we’ve also updated our records to reflect you being at King Island Distillery." Brad further assured me that key figures from THA, including their CEO, Steve Old, and Southern Region Manager, Jack Milbourne, were eager to come over for a visit. 

Brad emphasised, *"We’re hoping to bring not only Jack but our CEO Steve Old and some key people across on our next King Island visit, and they would love to catch up and see the distillery and meet you." This promise of support and collaboration only fuelled my GINthusiasm further, as it was clear that THA was committed to involving King Island in their program and recognising the unique experiences we have to offer.

A Wonderful Asset for Our Business

During their visit from November 30 to December 2, 2022, we welcomed THA's entire hierarchy, and they quickly fell in love with the beauty and spirit of King Island. We spent a significant amount of time answering their questions about our island, discussing the local school and the “Rock Cafe” that the students run, opportunities such as work experience and workshops and various facets of life here. The enthusiasm and GINuine interest shown by the THA team were truly heartwarming. 

As a result of that first visit, we are thrilled that THA was granted funding to include the Tasmanian Great Customer Experience Program for King Island. This has proven to be a tremendous asset for our business and other local businesses, as the THA team studies what we do, offers constructive suggestions for improvements and provides ongoing support. Their commitment to follow up, ensures that we continue to grow and enhance the experience for our visitors.

This program is not a partnership or collaboration; rather, it was a request that I made that has truly come to fruition. We are grateful for the inclusion and connection and the opportunity to work with THA and are excited about the positive impact it has already made on our operations on King Island.

Emphasising Local Experiences

King Island is more than just a destination; it is an experience rich with culture and community. The Great Customer Experience program aligns perfectly with our mission to offer visitors an unforgettable GINventures on King Island. We all take pride in delivering high-quality products and customer service while creating a welcoming environment that reflects the heart and soul of our island.

Join Us at King Island Distillery

We invite everyone to book with us to experience the magic of King Island Distillery. Book a distillery experience, enjoy spirit tastings, or simply drop by to learn more about our story. Amidst stunning island landscapes and a passionate community, we promise an experience you won’t forget.

Visitors to our distillery can indulge in tastings of our artisanal spirits, crafted with local ingredients and traditional methods. Our goal is to make every guest feel like part of our family and with THA’s insights and expertise, we are eager to enhance our service and offerings even further.

For those eager to embark on this journey with us, visit our website for more information about our products and upcoming events visit King Island Distillery. 

Let’s raise a glass to new adventures and the promise of exceptional customer experiences around King Island, Tasmania!

Happy Cheers,  

Happy Heidi Weitjens  

Founder | Owner | Artisan Distiller 

King Island Distillery Pty Ltd Est. 2014