SPEAKERS
Listed in agenda order.
KARL STEFANOVIC - Emcee, Channel Nine Television Presenter
Karl has more than 25 years’ experience in television and has worked as a TV journalist in America, New Zealand and Australia. A Logie winning presenter, Karl has been at the forefront of some of the biggest local and international news events including the Queensland floods, Christchurch earthquake, Japanese tsunami, Canberra bushfires, the Bali Bombings, the terror trials in Guantanamo Bay, the funerals of Ronald Reagan, Ray Charles and Marlon Brando, as well as the Oscars and the Golden Globes.
AUNTY MARGRET CAMPBELL - Welcome to Country
Aunty Margret Campbell, is a Dunghutti woman, teacher and Elder. To spend time with Margret or "Muughi" is to understand the living wisdom and relevance of her Ancestor's Blueprint and the ways the Dreamtime continues to shape and influence belonging to the land. Aunty Margret works with Dreamtime X, taking visitors to Gadigal Country (Sydney) to explore and learn the hidden history and culture of the Gadigal Peoples.
PENNY FOWLER - Chair, Tourism Australia
Penny is Chair of the Herald & Weekly Times and News Corp Australia’s Community Ambassador. Penny is Chair of the Royal Children’s Hospital Good Friday Appeal, Deputy Chair of The Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria and Chair of The National Portrait Gallery, and Board Member of Tech Mahindra. She is also on the Advisory Boards of Visy and the St George Foundation. A graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, Penny holds a Bachelor of Business degree with a major in Marketing from Monash (Chisholm) University and is a CEW member. Penny joined Tourism Australia’s Board in July 2019.
SENATOR THE HON DON FARRELL - Minister for Trade and Tourism, Special Minister of State
Minister Farrell was elected to the Senate in 2008, and served as Minister for Science and Research, Minister for Sport, Minister Assisting on Tourism, and Parliamentary Secretary for Sustainability and Urban Water. He again nominated for the Senate and was re-elected in 2016, serving as the Shadow Special Minister of State, Shadow Minister for Sport and Tourism, Shadow Minister Assisting the Leader of the Opposition and Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Senate. In 2022, Senator Farrell was appointed Minister for Trade and Tourism, Special Minister of State and Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate.
PHILLIPA HARRISON - Managing Director, Tourism Australia
Phillipa Harrison joined Tourism Australia in February 2017 to head up the organisation’s international operations for Asia, the Americas, Europe and New Zealand as well as Global Distribution and Partnerships. In this role Phillipa oversaw Tourism Australia’s network of international offices spanning 12 countries as well as managing airline relationships and distribution channels, working in partnership with the industry to grow the inbound market for Australian tourism. In September 2019, Phillipa was promoted to Managing Director. Prior to joining Tourism Australia, Ms Harrison spent six years working for Hamilton Island Enterprises and before that held a variety of senior sales, marketing and product roles at Viator Systems (Sydney), Base Group (Sydney), STA Travel (London), Contiki Holidays (London), and Trailfinders (London).
DARA WILLIAMS - Deputy CEO, Policy and Programs, Austrade
Dara joined Austrade in October 2024 as Deputy CEO, Policy and Programs. Based in Canberra, she leads the agency's economic analysis and evaluation, marketing and global communications, grant programs, simplified trade system and visitor economy functions. Prior to joining Austrade, Dara was at the Department of Industry, Science and Resources. Dara oversaw programs to stimulate Australian research and development and encourage venture capital investment. Her earlier roles include Deputy Head of the Australian Space Agency (2022-24) and various senior positions in the National Intelligence Community (2016-22). From 1997 to 2015, Dara was a career diplomat at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. She was Minister-Counsellor (Political) at the Australian Embassy Tokyo (2012-15), with an earlier posting to Australia’s Permanent Delegation to the World Trade Organisation in Geneva (1999-2002).
ROSS GREENWOOD - Business Editor Sky News
Ross Greenwood has over 40 years’ experience covering business and finance news – both in Australia and overseas. Formerly, the Nine Network’s Business and Finance editor where he worked across National Nine News, A Current Affair and 60 minutes. His assignments for the Nine Network have taken him around the world, from Europe and the Middle East to Japan, China and the U.S.A. Ross was also co-host of the former flagship current affairs program Sunday. Ross is the former host of radio program “Money News”, which was broadcast through the top-rating Macquarie Radio network including 2GB Sydney, 3AW Melbourne, 4BC Brisbane, 2CC Canberra and regional stations. Before joining Nine, Greenwood was editor-in-chief and co-creator of the British weekly magazine Shares and its accompanying website, moneyam.com. While in London, he was a regular commentator on BBC television, CNN, Sky News UK, and Bloomberg and a regular co-host of BBC Radio Five Live’s main business program, Wake Up To Money. Ross has also written extensively for print publications having held the role of editor of BRW, Personal Investor, and The Age’s Money section, and was also the founding editor of Australia’s Shares magazine. In January 2021 Ross joined SKY News as Business Editor and anchor of flagship Sunday business program, Business Weekend. As Sky News Business Editor, Ross will lead the network’s business coverage. As the anchor of Business Weekend, he will speak regularly with CEOs, business leaders, regulators, politicians, and business influencers and provide viewers with market and real estate updates.
MELISSA BROWN - CEO, Australian Business Events Association
Melissa Brown is the inaugural CEO of the Australian Business Events Association. She is a business development and marketing specialist with over 20 years of experience driving results for multinationals, not-for-profits, SMEs, and start-ups across industries and geographies, including the UK, USA, and Hong Kong. She has worked with leading organisations such as the Australian Chamber of Commerce in London, Australian Associated Press, Telstra and Talent International.Brown holds key advisory roles, including being a member of the ACCI Tourism Committee; a Tourism SWAG Member for Service and Creative Skills Australia (SaCSA); an Advisory Panellist for Curtin University Tourism, Hospitality, Events Discipline & Tourism Research Cluster; and on the Advisory Committee for the Hospitality, Tourism, and Travel Employment and Skills Platform Project (eeger). The latter, funded by Austrade and managed by Accommodation Australia. She is also a Global Ambassador for the University of Technology, Sydney. Melissa is passionate about aligning sales, marketing, brand, and product strategies to drive growth. Her ability to manage diverse stakeholders makes her a dynamic advocate for the business events industry.
SARA QUON - CEO, Sovereign Hill Museums Association
Chief Executive Officer of The Sovereign Hill Museums Association since January 2019, Sara is a strategy and marketing professional with two decades experience across tourism, major events and fast-moving consumer goods.
Sara’s previous roles include Group CEO of Beechworth Honey, inaugural CEO of Tourism North East Regional Tourism Board, Marketing Director and CEO of Melbourne Food and Wine Festival.
Sara was a member of the Visit Victoria Board for 6.5 years and currently sits on the Council of Australian Museum Directors Executive and Committee for Ballarat Board.
CORY HAGOPIAN - Senior Vice President, Sales and Partnerships, Virtuoso
Cory oversees Virtuoso’s Member and Partner Relations teams, including Cruise, Hotels & Resorts, and Destinations & Experiences. He is responsible for setting and driving the strategy to increase the network’s global sales. Most recently, he oversaw the Entertainment Division for Accor and previously held roles with Westin Hotels & Resorts, Canadian Pacific Hotels, and Fairmont Hotels & Resorts.
GEOFF YORK - CEO, Crystalbrook Collection Hotels & Resorts
Geoff York is the CEO of Crystalbrook Collection, Australia's most innovative portfolio of upscale and sustainability-focused hotels and resorts. Since co-founding Crystalbrook Collection in mid-2017, Geoff has spearheaded the company's growth from its inception, expanding the group to include ten hotels, 16 bars and restaurants, Eleme Day Spa and managing over a billion dollars in assets. Geoff’s extensive industry experience includes key leadership roles across Asia Pacific with leading hospitality groups such as Accor, Hilton International, and Event Hospitality & Entertainment. Recognised with multiple awards for excellence, Geoff's distinguished career is marked by his contributions to various hospitality groups including his role as National Board Member of Tourism Accommodation Australia.
BEDE FENNELL - Executive General Manager, Corporate Affairs, Tourism Australia
Bede joined Tourism Australia in November 2019 to lead the Corporate Affairs team, which looks after Government, Communication, Industry, Experiences, Sustainability and Indigenous Affairs. He has over 25 years of corporate affairs experience in Australia and internationally. He has worked in politics at a Federal and State level, and for more than half of his career has worked for large corporates across a range of industries from manufacturing, to mining services and to infrastructure.
ALEX BAKER - Director Marketing & Experiences, Kiff & Culture
Alex Baker is the co-founder and Director of Marketing & Experiences at Kiff & Culture, a bespoke tour operator, and the soon-to-be-launched Reveling Australia. With extensive experience in boutique hospitality and marketing, Alex specialises in experience curation, stakeholder engagement, media relations, and product development. His deep passion for the local region drives Kiff & Culture's commitment to crafting exceptional journeys, offering guests a perfect blend of hidden gems and iconic experiences throughout South-East Queensland and Northern New South Wales.
SHERIDAN BEAUMONT - Founder, Sydney Oyster Farm Tours
Sheridan Beaumont is the sole founder and director of Sydney oyster farm tours, she began oyster farming with her family and is a third generation oyster farmer on the Hawkesbury River. Through sheer hard work and dedication Sheridan has grown Sydney oyster farm tours in to one of the most popular tourism attractions on the central coast and now attracts hundreds of tourist a week to experience the unique in water dining “immerse yourself”. Sheridan is also a practicing doctor and is the mother to four young children, proving that women really can do it all!
TIM PARSONS - Owner Operator, Curringa Farm, Tasmania
Tim Parsons is a 6th Generation Tasmanian farmer who owns and operates the 750 acre, Curringa Farm, at Hamilton in Central Tasmania with his wife Jane. Operating 10 self-contained cottages and hosting farm tours. 2024 commemorated 40 years of Agritourism hosting visitors for farmstay accommodation and experiential farm tours. Marketing extensively throughout South East Asia and greater China. Enticing the Hong Kong market around 2012 was a highlight to host around one third of every Hong Kong visitor to Tasmania in 2019. Tim currently is Chair of ATEC Tasmania and has had sitting roles on the Destination Southern Tasmania RTO and Tourism Industry Council Tasmania and is a Co-Chair the Australian / New Zealand region of the Global Agritourism Network. Recognised as Tasmanian Tourism Champions in 2024 and received global recognition as one of the 10 best Agritourism products globally in 2024. Tim’s knowledge of market sectors, his contacts and contribution to the industry and passion for Agritourism makes him a key contributor to the industry at the local, regional, national and global level.
DALE TILBROOK - Owner Operator, Dale Tilbrook Experiences
I am a Wardandi Bibbulmun woman from the Busselton, Margaret River area of WA. My journey in Aboriginal Cultural Tourism started in 1996 and I am very grateful to my elders and mentors who encouraged me, taught me, took me out on country and helped me fill in the gaps. They unleashed a powerful quest for knowledge, particularly for our bushfood. I am still excited by the bounty of the bush supermarket and am continually learning. I love to share my knowledge through experiences.
RAJAN KUMAR - CEO & Co-Founder at The Lumery, part of Accenture Song
Rajan (Raj) is the CEO and Co-Founder of The Lumery, part of Accenture Song. Raj leads a team that pioneers a more effective approach to marketing and technology consulting, combining the optimization of tech stacks with ‘inside-out’ transformation, including the development of clients’ internal capabilities, processes and data-driven cultures that ensure material and lasting outcomes can be achieved. Raj is passionate about building high-performance teams through supportive culture and loves collaborating with forward thinkers.
SUSAN COGHILL - Chief Marketing Officer, Tourism Australia
Susan Coghill joined Tourism Australia in February 2017 as General Manager, Creative, Content and Campaigns and has helped set the creative marketing direction for Tourism Australia, overseeing the ‘Dundee’, ‘Matesong’ and the domestic ‘Holiday Here This Year’ campaigns. Susan, who was promoted to Chief Marketing Officer in May 2019, most recently led the development of the organisation’s latest campaign - ‘Come and Say G’day’. Prior to Tourism Australia, Susan worked at Qantas, NewsCorp and Westpac in senior marketing roles.
RACHEL GRIFFITHS AM - Actor, Producer & Director
One of Australia’s most prolific industry professionals, Rachel Griffiths is a multi-award winning Australian actor and filmmaker. After starting her career on the Australian stage, Rachel made her screen debut in the iconic Muriel’s Wedding. Since then, her screen credits include Six Feet Under, Brothers & Sisters, Hacksaw Ridge, Hilary & Jackie, Will Gluck’s Anyone But You, and the award winning New Zealand series, Madam.
Rachel was awarded an Order of Australia (AM) for her contribution to the arts in 2021 and boasts significant achievements with her company Magdalene Media, directing and producing the highest-grossing Australian feature of 2019, Ride Like A Girl. She also co-created, executive produced, and starred in the internationally acclaimed political drama Total Control.