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.

MICHAEL ISSENBERG - Chair, Tourism Australia

Michael Issenberg is currently the Chair of Tourism Australia, the Government agency responsible for promoting Australia as a business and leisure travel destination and a Director of the Star Entertainment Group, one of the leading Casino and Integrated Resort operators in Australia. Michael is one of the most respected leaders in tourism and hospitality, with a reputation for operational excellence and the highest integrity. As the former Chairman & CEO for Accor Asia Pacific, he led the group to more than 1250 hotels over his 26-year tenure, building a $4 billion business over 23 countries that was number one in Australia, New Zealand, Indonesia, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand and Vietnam. With multi-national experience in the USA, Australia and Asia, he is an expert in mergers and acquisitions, having led several integrations for the Group. He is known for building strong teams and inspiring them towards a shared vision and is a lifelong champion of diversity and inclusion. He has a deep understanding of Asian cultures and the Asian consumer.

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).

GRANT WEBSTER - Chief Executive Officer, Tourism Holdings Limited (THL)

Grant was appointed Managing Director in December 2022 and was originally appointed as Chief Executive Officer in December 2008. Grant has served on various industry and Government bodies including nine years on the Tourism Industry Aotearoa Board including periods as Chair and Deputy Chair. Grant was also a co-Chair for the New Zealand Government’s Tourism Futures Taskforce in 2020. 

Grant’s background includes senior executive roles across the tourism, hospitality, gaming and retail industries, where he held Director and general management roles within the retail sector before moving into tourism. Grant holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from Victoria University and has completed executive studies at the Insead Advanced Management Programme in Fontainebleau and Monash University, Melbourne Australia. Outside of thl, Grant is on the Board of Les Mills Holdings NZ.

SCOTT CHARLTON - Chief Executive Officer, Sydney Airport

Scott joined Sydney Airport as Chief Executive Officer in December 2023. Scott has more than 25 years of experience in developing, funding, constructing, and operating infrastructure assets, working with some of the sector’s leading ASX-listed corporations. Immediately prior to joining Sydney Airport, Scott was Chief Executive Officer and a Director of Transurban from 2012, a leading infrastructure company with operations in Australia and North America.

LYN LEWIS-SMITH - Chief Executive Officer, Business Events Sydney

Lyn Lewis-Smith, CEO of BESydney, leads a global team driving strategic meetings benefiting Sydney, Australia. With expertise across diverse sectors including infrastructure, technology, and education, Lyn has championed Australian achievements worldwide. She received Destination International's Humanitarian Award for her research on business event legacies. A seasoned non-executive director, Lyn serves on numerous boards and committees. Committed to women's leadership, she co-chaired the Global Summit of Women in 2018 and actively mentors through various organisations.

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.

SARAH KOPIT - Editor-in-chief, Skift

Sarah is editor-in-chief at Skift where she oversees all editorial content. Previously, Kopit was editor-in-chief at the digital asset publication, The Block, and is a 14-year veteran of Bloomberg News. At Bloomberg, Kopit had several roles, including heading Bloomberg’s breaking news operations in the Americas and as the newsroom's global social media czar, specializing in gathering market-moving news and intelligence.

CARLY FINDLAY OAM - Award-winning writer, speaker and appearance activist

Carly Findlay OAM is an award-winning writer, speaker, and advocate for appearance diversity. Her memoir "Say Hello" and edited anthology "Growing Up Disabled in Australia" have garnered widespread acclaim. Recognized for her impactful writing on disability and appearance diversity, Carly's work has been featured in major news outlets. In 2020, she received a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for her advocacy. Carly, who lives with the rare skin condition ichthyosis, has organized significant community events and holds a Masters of Communication and Bachelor of eCommerce.

RYAN SMITH - Chief Executive Officer, The Access Agency

Ryan is a passionate advocate for inclusive travel. As a wheelchair user and qualified access consultant, he believes tourism should be accessible to all. Leaving his corporate career in 2017, Ryan founded The Access Agency, specialising in improving access and inclusion in the visitor economy. He has worked with various organisations, including Parks Victoria and Visit Victoria, to enhance accessibility in travel products and services. Committed to the tourism industry, Ryan champions disabled travelers and served as a judge at the Victorian Tourism Awards.

TRACEY CORBIN-MATCHETT OAM - Chief Executive Officer, Bus Stop Films

Tracey, a proud hard of hearing woman, is a passionate advocate for inclusion. As CEO of Bus Stop Films, she champions greater representation of people with disabilities in the screen industry. Recognised for her service to the arts and disability community, Tracey received an OAM in 2023. With a diverse career spanning social housing, domestic violence services, and film and television, Tracey has collaborated with organizations such as Screen NSW and Women in Film and TV (WIFT) NSW to advance inclusion initiatives like "Screenability" and "She Shoots." She serves as an Includeability Ambassador for the Australian Human Rights Commission and holds director roles at Deaf Sports Australia and Northcott. Additionally, Tracey contributes to industry taskforces and serves as an executive producer for Bus Stop Films, nurturing projects like "Groundhog Night" and "Valiant." She holds qualifications in Welfare Studies and Frontline Management.

ELISHA KISSICK - Chief Executive Officer, Yura Tours

Elisha Kissick (nee Iselin) is a proud Quandamooka women, mother, daughter, wife who enjoys living, working and playing on Minjerribah/Stradbroke Island on Quandamooka Country, Queensland. Elisha founded Yura Tours in 2021 and is the Director/CEO/Tour Guide of the 100% run and owned tour company. Elisha has a passion for travel and is dedicated to First Nations tourism and sharing her rich culture and Stories with Guests from near and far, which have been passed down from her ancestors and Elders for thousands of years.

SLADJANA HIDOSAN - Tour Guide, Splendour Tailored Tours

Sladjana has a way of making you see the little things which are often overlooked. Her infectious smile and joyful outlook on life is uplifting, energising and addictive to be around. Her love for sharing Sydney stories is motivated by witnessing her guest’s reactions as they experience a place for the first time. When she’s not exploring new corners of the world, Sladj loves waking up early to catch a Sydney sunrise or dancing the night away with friends.

SHANE WILSON - Co-Founder & Director, Tasmanian Wild Seafood Adventures

Shane was born with salt water running through his veins. He was introduced to diving at age of 8 by his father, a commercial abalone diver in Tasmania and has been hooked ever since. In 1998 Shane was the youngest person in Australia to gain their Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) Certification. At 18 years old Shane started commercially diving and at 25 running his first commercial mothership ‘Tarcoma’ - the youngest skipper of the oldest boat in the fleet. Shane is passionate about helping create a new sector in seafood tourism. He wants to help propel Tasmanian onto the world stage where tourists are able to sample seafood at the source whilst championing an environmentally responsible eco food tourism. Shane hopes to give back to the industry that gave him so much.

DAVE MCMAHON - Senior Tour Guide, Venture North

Dave is Venture North’s most senior guide and absolutely LOVES his job! He spends most of his time on the road during the dry-season, guiding holidaymakers throughout the Top End and the Kimberley. His extensive knowledge of Northern Australia’s heritage, geology, nature and Aboriginal culture sees him at the top of his field. In 2017 at the NT Tourism Awards Dave received the Tourism Employee of the Year Award. Previously a qualified chef, his gourmet bush meals are an added highlight to each safari. 

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.

JAMES HURMAN - Marketing expert, Founding partner, Previously Unavailable

James is a New Zealand-based marketing and innovation strategy expert. He is the founding partner of Previously Unavailable, a professional services company that works with innovative organisations from early stage start-ups to mature corporates. Previously Unavailable provides innovation strategy, new product development, marketing strategy, brand strategy, brand creation and brand design services, and is focused on supporting companies that are inventing or reinventing.

PETER HARBISON - Aviation Analyst and Author

Peter has spent 55 years in the aviation industry, first with the Australian government, including three years representing Australia in ICAO, Montreal, then later 10 years with IATA in Geneva. In Sydney, he founded CAPA – Centre for Aviation in 1990, building it to over 100 staff around the world by the time he retired from it in 2022. He is now Chairman of Greener Airlines, a company designed to help the aviation industry transition to a sustainable future.

CAM WALLACE - Chief Executive Officer, Qantas International and Freight

Cam Wallace was appointed CEO of Qantas International and Freight in June 2023. 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. Since joining Air New Zealand in 2002, he has held a number of roles across sales and distribution. Cam was previously CEO of MediaWorks, a New Zealand-based digital, out-of-home advertising and commercial audio business. He served as the Chairman of the Radio Broadcasters Association from late 2020 to 2023.