Fashion job draws her back
Tourism and retail manager Nona Jackson has returned to Nelson from five years overseas to take up a relieving role as Fashion Island centre manager.
Ms Jackson, who was international marketing manager for the Nelson and Tasman regional tourism organisation known previously as Latitude Nelson, has recently returned to Nelson from a management role with New Zealand specialist travel wholesaler Kirra Holidays in London and Adelaide.
Prior to her marketing role with the region’s tourism organ- isation Ms Jackson was retail and ticketing manager for the World of WearableArt and Classic Cars Museum.
She said it was always her intention to return to Nelson where she and her husband own a home. The couple first arrived here from the United Kingdom in 2001 on what was meant to be a working holiday, but ‘‘fell in love’’ with the area.
Ms Jackson said her role with Fashion Island over the next few months would be to ensure relationships moved forward with organisations like central city promotions group Uniquely Nelson, Nelson Tasman Tourism and the Nelson Tasman Chamber of Commerce.
The Fashion Island complex is home to more than 200 employees across 33 tenants.
‘‘It’s a strong employer in Nelson and people need to realise it’s here to stay and they need to support it. A lot of retailers here have a base of good loyal customers.’’
Ms Jackson is keen to promote existing attractions such as the Wednesday Farmers Market. She also wants to revive fashion events which have proved successful in the past.