The 2021 Perth Airport WA Regional Tourism Conference will take place in Geraldton on May 3 - 5, 2021.
Program and timings subject to change.
Conference prospectus now available - click here to download.
Monday, May 3 - Aboriginal Tourism Conference
| 9:00am |
Welcome to Country Yamaji Art Director Charmaine Green |
| 9:10am |
Introduction by MC Wula Gura Nyinda Eco Adventures Director Darren ‘Capes’ Capewell |
| 9:15am |
Opening Address National Indigenous Australians Agency Regional Manager Greater WA Richard Aspinall |
| 9:45am |
WAITOC Update WAITOC Chairman Doc Reynolds, CEO Robert Taylor, and Marketing Manager Di Below |
| 10:15am |
Ramping up the NT Bush Foods Sector Kungkas Can Cook Owner Rayleen Brown |
| 11:00am | Morning Tea |
| 11:30am |
Local Operators – Yamaji Art Yamaji Art Director Charmaine Green & Manager Roni Kerley |
| 11:50am |
Local Operators – Wula Gura Nyinda Eco Adventures Wula Gura Nyinda Eco Adventures Director Darren ‘Capes’ Capewell |
| 12:10pm |
Local Operators – Bundiyarra Tourism Experience Bundiyarra Aboriginal Community Aboriginal Corporation CEO Wayne McDonald |
| 12:30pm |
Local Operators Panel Facilitated by WAITOC CEO Robert Taylor |
| 1:00pm | Lunch |
| 1:45pm |
Desert Journeys – A Regional Tourism Strategy 10 Deserts Program Manager Zane Hughes |
| 2:20pm |
Follow the Flowers – A Collaboration for Aboriginal Led Agri-tourism Development Outback Academy Australia Business Development Manager Neville Atkinson |
| 2:55pm | Afternoon Tea |
| 3:20pm |
Aboriginal Astronomy Shines for WA Social Entrepreneur Madeline Anderson |
| 3:50pm |
Accessible Aboriginal Tourism Morris Goding Access Consulting Access Consultant Richard Scott |
| 4:35pm |
Tjina: Western Australian Aboriginal Tourism Action Plan 2021-25 Launch Hon David Templeman MLA, Minister for Tourism; Culture and the Arts; Heritage |
| 4:50pm | Day One Concludes |
|
5:00pm - 7:00pm |
Welcome Cocktail Function (Included for all Delegates) - see details below |
Monday, May 3 - Visitor Centre WA Session (Exclusive to Visitor Centre Representatives)
| 1:45pm |
Introduction and Opening Address Visitor Centres WA Chair Troy De Souza and Tourism Council WA CEO Evan Hall |
| 2:00pm |
From Old to New: The Process of Redevelopment Shire of Murray Tourism Coordinator Susan Allan |
| 2:45pm |
Working with Industry Bodies Panel Facilitated by Tourism Council WA CEO Evan Hall Tourism WA Senior Manager WA Partnerships and Industry Kym Francesconi Destination Perth CEO Tracey Cinavas-Prosser Visitor Centres WA Chair Troy De Souza |
| 3:30pm | Afternoon Tea |
| 4:00pm |
Embracing Digital Visitor Servicing in the Post-COVID Age Margaret River Busselton Tourism Association Visitor Services Manager Peta Fussell |
| 4:45pm |
Day One Concludes |
|
5:00pm - 7:00pm |
Welcome Cocktail Function (Included for all Delegates) - see details below |
Monday, May 3 - 5:00pm - 7:00pm - Welcome Cocktail Function
Join fellow delegates, invited guests and sponsors for a welcome function featuring an address from City of Greater Geraldton Mayor Shane van Styn.
Location: Monsignor Hawes Heritage Centre, 56 Cathedral Avenue, Geraldton
Dress: Smart casual/business
Tuesday, May 4 - WA Regional Tourism Conference
| 9:00am |
Introduction by MC Tourism Council WA CEO Evan Hall |
| 9:10am |
Ministerial Address Hon David Templeman MLA, Minister for Tourism; Culture and the Arts; Heritage |
| 9:25am |
Insights from Tourism Western Australia Tourism WA Acting Managing Director Derryn Belford |
| 9:55am |
Tourism Australia Update Tourism Australia Managing Director Phillipa Harrison |
| 10:25am |
Future of Regional Aviation in WA Qantas Group Executive Associated Airlines and Services John Gissing |
| 10:55am | Morning Tea |
| 11:15am |
Welcome to Geraldton City of Greater Geraldton Mayor Shane Van Styn and Geraldton Midwest Chair Matt Rutter |
| 11:45am |
Following the Stars to the Ningaloo Eclipse 2023 Astrotourism WA Founder Carol Redford |
| 12:05pm |
The Kalbarri Skywalk: Creating a World-Class Regional Tourism Attraction Parks & Wildlife Service Regional Operations Officer Midwest Region Rory Chapple |
| 12:25pm |
The Western Australian Museum - Sharing Stories in an Ancient Land Western Australian Museum Chief Executive Officer Alec Coles OBE |
| 1:00pm | Lunch |
| 1:45pm |
How the Southern Highlands became Australia’s Home of Pies Steve Rosa, The Piemaster |
| 2:30pm |
Breakout Sessions 1 Stream 1: Using Virtual Tours to Keep the Show on the Road Hidden DeTours Owner Monique Boucher and Carma The Social Chameleon Founder Carma Levene Stream 2: Local Stories: Developing a Regional Tourism Business Ultimate Watersports Director Lindsay Cannon |
| 3:00pm |
Breakout Sessions 2 Stream 1: How to get attention in a post-COVID world Busselton Jetty Operations Manager Amy Gornall Stream 2: State of the Industry Caravan Industry Association WA CEO Julian Barry |
| 3:30pm |
Breakout Sessions 3 Stream 1: Attracting Direct Bookings to Your Tourism Business Insight Hotel Marketing Director Rachel Finney Stream 2: Tourism Tech Update: Chatbots and Automation So Media Group Founder and CEO Adam Barrell |
| 4:00pm | Day Two Concludes |
|
5:15pm - 10:00pm |
Conference Dinner (Included for all Delegates) - details below |
Tuesday, May 4 - 5:15pm - 10:00pm - WA Regional Tourism Conference Dinner at a Secret Location
Hosted by Master of Ceremonies and GWN7 News presenter Noel Brunning, the conference dinner will bring together delegates for a relaxed networking and entertainment opportunity.
Dinner proceedings will include the presentation of the GWN7 Top Tourism Town Awards and 2021 Perth Airport WA Tourism Awards Individual Excellence Awards.
This year’s dinner will be held at a secret location, supported by Beverage Sponsors Happs Wines.
Dress: Smart Casual – White Preferred, but Optional
Wednesday, May 5
Optional half-day or full-day tour included for all delegates - click here for details
