Rick Marton praises Launceston for hosting Australian Tourism Awards

Event director Rick Marton said he told the staff to turn on Tassie's warmth and hospitality. 

"We were essentially opening a new restaurant on its opening night, but instead of 30 to 40 seats, it's 840 and we're going to do it with a whole lot of other parameters including not having a kitchen on site." he said. 

"It was one of those things to say things are going to go wrong and the most important thing to do was to let our Tassie spirit shine through." 

He said if anyone felt they paid a small part in the event then they were actually a critical part.  

"If there was one less person that did one less task then we wouldn't have been able to hold the event together," he said.  

"I think I was in contact with about 400 people directly, and I don't know how many people had then helped them."  

Everyone from chairlift operators, to local men's shed attendees helped make the night a success. 

The men's sheds made wooden boards that had a handle and a drink holder so guest could eat their entrees at the same time.

"There was not one direct partnership and collaboration," Mr Marton said. 

"Council groundsmen made sure the grass was mowed at the right time, being able to have Launceston Church Grammar here and their aviation program. 

"Then we've got Ryan [Limb] and the crew from Vibestown that worked with Chris from Junction, who worked with Vanessa from Albert Hall to be able to do the entree on the lawn and all those chefs were then from Grain, Stillwater, Timber and Hubert and Dan all working together."

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Mr Marton said those who attended, raved about the food, which was also a collaboration. 

Federal Group used its chefs from Wrest Point and Country Club Tasmania to cook the main meal. 

TasTafe, Launceston and Newstead colleges also helped, with front of house staff coming from everywhere, Mr Marton said. 

More than 800 national industry operators and professionals attended the awards.