Speakers
Listed in agenda order.
GORGI COGHLAN - Emcee, Broadcaster, Singer, Actress, Owner "The Buninyong Hotel" & "Bermingham Farm" (Ballarat, Victoria)
Gorgi Coghlan is a rare talent who continually evolves and surprises as she skillfully navigates various roles within the entertainment industry. While she is well-known and respected by Australian audiences for her media broadcasting experience, Gorgi has recently returned to her first love: performing, particularly in singing and acting.
Gorgi’s diverse media experience spans news, current affairs, journalism, travel, science, and education, combined with her credentials in musical theatre and professional singing, making her one of the most well-rounded television personalities in the industry.
AUNTY JOY MURPHY WANDIN - Welcome to Country
Aunty Joy Murphy Wandin is a proud Wurundjeri Elder. She has been actively involved in Aboriginal Affairs for over 30 years and held positions in executive policy and community development in all levels of government.
PENNY FOWLER AM - 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.
ROBIN MACK - Managing Director, Tourism Australia
As the Managing Director, Robin is responsible for driving Tourism Australia’s strategies to create sustainable international demand for Australia’s tourism experiences and working with the tourism industry to support the sector.
With 30 years of multi sector global experience within the travel industry, Robin has been a leader within Tourism Australia for over a decade. He was previously responsible for overseeing the organisation's market strategy and operations across 16 global markets, as well as commercial, distribution development and partnerships. He also led Business Events Australia.
Before joining Tourism Australia in 2012, he worked across travel retailers, wholesalers and airlines, including British Airways and Qantas, before focusing on destination marketing.
PAUL GRIMES - CEO, Austrade
Dr Paul Grimes brings diverse public sector experience to his role as the Chief Executive Officer of Austrade, spanning senior appointments across state, territory and federal levels of government.
In addition to previously serving as Secretary of the NSW Department of Treasury, and NSW Coordinator-General for Environment, Energy and Science, he is a former Secretary of the Australian Government Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities, and Secretary of the Australian Government Department of Agriculture.
CHRIS KOHLER - TV Presenter, Media Personality, Journalist
Chris Kohler is one of Australia’s most respected voices in business and economic reporting. With a career spanning more than a decade in television, radio, and print journalism, Chris has built a reputation for delivering breaking financial news with clarity, authority, and a relatable edge. His work demystifies complex economic issues, helping audiences understand how market movements, policy decisions, and global events impact everyday Australians.
LORIE ARGUS - CEO, Melbourne Airport
Lorie Argus was appointed CEO of Australia Pacific Airports Corporation, which runs Melbourne and Launceston Airports, on July 1, 2022.This appointment followed seven years with Melbourne Airport as Chief of Aviation and Chief of Ground Transport.With more than 30 years’ experience in aviation, she brings a “passenger first” focus to her role.Lorie started her career in Canada before relocating to Australia and joining Virgin Australia. In her ten years at the airline, she was appointed Manager of International Airport Operations and General Manager of Ground Operations.In 2017 Lorie graduated with an Executive MBA from Bond University. Lorie is an active member of Chief Executive Women and of the Australian Institute of Directors and became a Graduate of AICD (GAICD) in 2019. Lorie is also a Non-Executive Director of the Australian Airports Association, sits on the World Governing Board of ACI World Board of Airports Council International, is a member of the Melbourne 3000 and Chairs Australia Pacific Airports (Launceston).
RENEE WOOTTON TOMLIN - CEO and Founder of New Era Energy
CAM WALLACE - CEO - Qantas International and Freight
Cam Wallace was appointed CEO of Qantas International and Freight in June 2023.
In December 2025, Cam also assumed responsibility for Qantas' inflight and on-ground products and services, including lounges.
He has more than two decades experience in the airline industry, including various senior leadership roles at Air New Zealand. He was the airline's Chief Customer and Commercial Officer between 2016 and 2020. In this role he was responsible for global sales and distribution, revenue management, brand and marketing, market development, freight, and the airline’s frequent flyer business.
After joining Air New Zealand in 2002, he held a number of roles across sales and distribution.
Prior to joining the Qantas Group in 2023, Cam was CEO of MediaWorks, a New Zealand-based digital, out-of-home advertising and commercial audio business.
He also served as the Chairman of the Radio Broadcasters Association from late 2020 to 2023.
ROB DOUGAN - Executive General Manager, Strategy and Culture
Rob Dougan serves as the Executive General Manager of Strategy and Culture at Tourism Australia. With a strong commercial mindset, Rob and his team shape the organisation's future driving better outcomes for the Australian tourism industry.
Rob's department oversees: Strategy, analysing and identifying investment areas for Tourism Australia's finite time and resources. Planning, ensuring alignment of activity around our organisational objectives. Aviation route development, driving connectivity for Australia. Additionally, Rob champions People and Culture, fostering a high-performance work environment within Tourism Australia.
Previously, Rob spent 15 years in marketing and advertising across Sydney and London, leading high-profile campaigns for Tourism Australia itself, along with Tourism Tasmania, EasyJet and Qantas amongst others, a background that cultivated his strategic and creative insights.
GARRY BURNS - CEO and Co-Founder - The Gaibo Agency
The Gaibo Agency and Connect2India, together operate one of Australia’s largest in-market tourism representation agencies across China and India. He leads in-market sales, partnerships and trade engagement for some of Australia’s leading tourism and leisure brands, working closely with travel agents, wholesalers and key platform partners to build awareness and drive bookings through practical travel trade strategy, training, content and campaign delivery.
Garry also leads Gaibo Influencers, where he and his team manage a network of more than 300 local Chinese content creators, and oversee Chinese social media channels for a large number of small to medium-sized tourism operators across Australia—helping them stay visible, relevant and bookable in the China market.
Garry Burns was honoured with the Captain Trevor Haworth Outstanding Contribution to the Tourism Export Industry Award at ATEC Meeting Place 2024, recognising his leadership and impact in international tourism.
KEVIN LU - Territory Manager, Oceania Trip.com
Kevin Lu is Oceania Territory Manager for Trip.com Group. Based in Sydney, he leads efforts to strengthen partnerships and drive high-value inbound travel to Australia, with a strong focus on the Asia-Pacific market, particularly China. He is passionate about connecting global travellers with Australia’s diverse destinations. He actively contributes to industry events and insights on attracting high-yield visitors, supporting Tourism Australia’s goals for sustainable, competitive tourism.
JULIA SWANSON - CEO, Melbourne Convention Bureau
Julia is a passionate and driven tourism and business events professional with over 25 years experience.
In her 15 years with MCB, Julia has contributed strongly to the growth and success of the organisation in the global business events market. In her time as CEO, Julia has driven stronger strategic alignment with Visit Victoria through her role on the Visit Victoria Leadership Team for the overall benefit of the visitor economy.
In 2023, Julia was appointed as director to the board of the Australian Business Events Association (ABEA), a demonstration of her leadership and expertise in the business events industry in Australia. She is also currently Board Chair of the BestCities Global Alliance, an alliance of 13 leading global cities that harness the power of collaboration and community to create positive impact through business events.
ROB HYATT - Manager, Cultural Experiences, Koori Heritage Trust
I am a proud Wotjobaluk/Gunai Kurnai man with over 30 years experience in government, community, sport and tourism. In my roles I advocate education and understanding of the issues that impact on our people and addressing these appropriately regarding the cultural sensitivities required in program development and delivery.
Currently I am Manager of Cultural Experiences at the Koorie Heritage Trust. In this role I deliver cultural competency and cultural safety training to Government, the private sector, community organisations and the general public as well as providing consultation in regards to Aboriginal program development and Reconciliation Action Plans. I also manage guided cultural tours taking in the Trust and along the Yarra River, providing an urban Aboriginal cultural experience for visitors to Melbourne.
APSARA BALDOVINO - Corporate Partnership Lead, Taronga Conservation "Habitat Positive"
Apsara Baldovino is the Partnerships Lead on Habitat Positive, Taronga's visionary restoration and rewilding initiative and is dedicated to building cross-sector relationships across corporate, government, and the carbon market industry. Passionate about connecting environmental impact with brand storytelling, Apsara is also committed to making the science more accessible - whether through developing engaging brand collateral or curating panel discussions at events like Climate Week and SXSW. Apsara is also a children's book author with a background in fintech and magazine publishing, bringing a dynamic, multi‑industry perspective to her work and always seeking to challenge the status quo and drive meaningful change.
FIONA MERIDA - Director, Strategic Enngagemet and Education, The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority
Fiona has over 20 years of experience in Great Barrier Reef protection, government policy, science, industry stewardship, environmental education and engagement. Day-to-day Fiona leads an incredible team of professionals that work with communities, local government and industry on targeted programs designed to increase environmental awareness and stewardship. This includes the Local Marine Advisory Committees, Tourism Reef Advisory Committee, High Standard Tourism Operators, Master Reef Guides, Reef Guardian Schools, Reef Guardian Councils and Eye on the Reef programs.
Fiona represents the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority at national and international forums and has presented a TEDx talk – The Great Barrier Reef – life’s wake-up call.
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.
ANKITA SHETTY - Creative Strategy Lead, TikTok
Ankita Shetty is a Creative Strategy Lead at TikTok on a mission to make the scroll make sense for brands. Her approach is culture-first, insight-driven, and creator-obsessed, grounded in a simple belief: creativity should drive real business impact, not just attention. Her career across agencies, in-house teams, and platforms has shaped a distinctive perspective on what truly moves people, and markets. And her experience across travel brands has shaped her understanding of what it takes for destinations to win in a scroll first world.
MARITA BURKE - Chief Creative Officer - MECCA
Marita
joined MECCA in 2007 and has held various positions across the business during
this time. These include Head of Marketing, Brands & Buying, Creative
Director and Chief MECCA-maginations Officer before taking on the role as Chief
Creative Officer.
As Chief
Creative Officer, Marita is responsible for imagining future growth
opportunities for MECCA. Deeply connected to consumer trends, her remit
includes identifying and working with international brands to enable them to
thrive in the ANZ market, informing large-scale creative initiatives and
in-store experiences and overseeing expansion into new markets.