The 2019 WA Regional Tourism Conference includes a range of social events, key speakers, panel sessions and networking opportunities across three days.
Please note, program is subject to change.
Optimise your trip to Karratha with pre- and post-conference touring - click here to view options.
Location: Red Earth Arts Precinct
Monday, September 16 - Aboriginal Tourism Conference
8.00am | Registrations and Networking |
| 9.00am | Introduction by Master of Ceremonies Ngurrangga Tours Managing Director, Clinton Walker |
| 9.10am | Opening Address National Indigenous Australians Agency Regional Manager Greater WA, Richard Aspinall |
| 9.30am | Industry Address: Scene Setting - Aboriginal Tourism WAITOC Chair, Doc Reynolds and Chief Executive Officer, Robert Taylor |
| 10.00am | Local Government Engagement: City of Perth Support for Aboriginal Tourism City of Perth Economic Development Principal, John Fish |
| 10.30am | Morning Tea |
| 11.00am | Comparing Country: Nyungar Boodja, South West Go Cultural Aboriginal Tourism & Experiences Owner, Walter McGuire |
| 11.20am | Comparing Country: Yawuru, West Kimberley Narlijia Experiences Broome Owner, Bart Pigram |
| 11.40am | Comparing Country: Ngarlumu/Yindjibarndi, West Pilbara Ngurrangga Tours Managing Director, Clinton Walker |
| 12.00pm | Comparing Country Panel Facilitated by WAITOC Chief Executive Officer, Robert Taylor |
| 12.30pm | Lunch |
| 1.30pm | Moorditj Koorlong: Engaging and Sustaining Aboriginal Young People Koya Aboriginal Corporation Director of Research and Community Development, Cheryl Kickett-Tucker |
| 2.15pm | Murujuga: The Largest Collection of Rock Art in the World Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation Project Director - Murujuga Tourism Program, Travis McNaught |
| 3.00pm | Roebourne Art Group Presentation and Immersive Experience |
| 3.30pm | Afternoon Tea |
| 4.00pm | Culture in the Parks Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions Tourism and Concessions Coordinator, Jacinta Overman and Parks and Visitor Services Coordinator, Ray De Jong |
| 4.45pm | Day Concludes |
Monday, September 16 - Visitor Centres WA Sessions
| 1.15pm | Visitor Centres WA Question & Answer Session Facilitated by Visitor Centres WA Chair, Matt Norton |
| 2.00pm | Can You Imagine if Visitor Centres Made Money - Building a Sustainable Visitor Centre Model City of Albany Project Leader - Visitor Services, Hamish Fell |
| 2.45pm | The Changing Face of Visitor Servicing Margaret River Busselton Tourism Association Tourism Services Manager, Jenny Lee and Marketing Manager, Amanda Carmichael |
| 3.30pm | Afternoon Tea Sponsored by Aviair/HeliSpirit |
| 3.45pm | Working with Industry Bodies Panel Facilitated by Smart Tourism Principal, Karen Priest Tourism Australia Industry Relations Manager, Kristy Carstairs Tourism WA Partnership Manager, Kym Francesconi Australia's North West Chief Executive Officer, Natasha Mahar Margaret River Busselton Tourism Association Attractions Business Development Manager, Matt Norton |
| 4.45pm | Day Concludes |
Monday, September 16 - WA Regional Tourism Conference
| 5.00pm - 7.00pm | Welcome Cocktail Function - Complimentary for all delegates Join fellow delegates, invited guests and sponsors for a welcome function hosted by the City of Karratha. Venue: The Shelf, Red Earth Arts Precinct, 27 Welcome Road, Karratha |
Tuesday, September 17 - WA Regional Tourism Conference
Included with all conference tickets
| 8.00am | Registrations and Networking |
| 9.00am | Introduction by Master of Ceremonies |
| 9.05am | Ministerial Address Hon Stephen Dawson MLC, Minister for Environment; Disability Services; Electoral Affairs |
| 9.20am | Scene Setting: Tourism Economic Outlook Lucid Economics Director, Michael Campbell |
| 9.35am | City of Karratha: Changing the Perception City of Karratha CEO, Chris Adams |
| 9.55am | Trending Digital Opportunities Tourism Tribe Managing Director, Liz Ward |
| 10.40am | Morning Tea |
| 11.10am | Tourism WA Update Tourism WA's Brodie Carr, Anthony Hayes and Mollie Hill |
| 11.40am | Tourism Australia Update Tourism Australia Industry Relations Manager, Kristy Carstairs |
| 12.10pm | Labor, Skills & Training Issues Panel Facilitated by Tourism Council WA Chief Executive Officer, Evan Hall FurtureNow Chief Executive Officer, Julie Hobbs AccorHotels WA Regional Talent & Culture Manager, Fran Kirby Blanche Bar Group Managing Director, Bart Parsons Mackerel Islands Pty Ltd Chief Executive Officer, Drew Norrish More panellists to be announced |
| 1.00pm | Lunch Sponsored by Prinicpal Sponsor Tourism WA |
| 1.45pm | Modern Travel Media & Your Business Australian Traveller Media Managing Director, Quentin Long |
| 2.30pm | Break Out Session 1: 1A - Auditorium 1B - Rehearsal Room 1 1C - Rehearsal Room 2 |
| 3.20pm | Break Out Session 2: 2A- Auditorium 2B - Rehearsal Room 1 2C - Rehearsal Room 2 |
| 4.00pm | Day Concludes |
5.30pm - 10.30pm | Conference Dinner - Included for all delegates Hosted by Master of Ceremonies and GWN7 News presenter Noel Brunning, the conference dinner will bring together delegates for high-level networking and entertainment. Dinner proceedings include the presentation of the GWN7 Top Tourism Town Awards and 2019 Perth Airport WA Tourism Awards for Individual Excellence. This year's dinner will be held at a secret location, supported by Dinner Sponsor Woodside and Beverage Sponsors Happs Wines. Time: 5.00pm for bus transfers from Red Earth Arts Precinct |
Wednesday, September 18 - Training Workshops & Tour Options
Included with all conference tickets
| 9.00am - 1.30pm Delegates can select from the below options: | ||
Roebourne and Cossack History Half Day Tour Explore the Indigenous and pioneering history of the Pilbara visiting WA's first pearling port, Cossack, and Roebourne, the original administrative capital of the North. Includes the Victoria Hotel in Roebourne; Old Gaol precinct; Roebourne lookout; the historic town of Cossack; Point Samson and the Community Hall; transport. | Workshop: Photography for Tourism Become a more confident photographer and learn basic photography skills and how to apply them to your business's social media and digital marketing. This workshop is suitable for tourism operators of all sizes, or anyone looking to improve their photography skills for use in digital marketing and online strategies. | Workshop: Reaching Customers Through Distribution - Commissions, Channel Managers & More Enjoy a thorough introduction to the often-complex tourism industry. Learn how your business fits into the broader tourism industry and how to actively become part of the network. Find out more about tourism distribution and the benefits of working with online travel agents, inbound tour operators, wholesalers and visitor centres as well as setting your rates correctly. |
Click here to register for the 2019 WA Regional Tourism Conference.
