That’s a wrap!
We did it. After almost two years of planning, eight booking updates for our keynote speaker (sorry Holly), three official conference date changes, and some last-minute curveballs, we managed to pull it off!
After the most challenging 18 months both personally and professionally, each of our speakers brought the gusto as they encouraged us to reset, refocus and re-energise, ready to take on summer with a different perspective.
The day kicked off at Rydges Geelong with 120 of our Team Tourism tribe gathering to hear what the future traveller is looking for, fantastic discussions around First Nations Tourism Cultural Development and, we worked on how to look at situations from a new-abnormal perspective and set some real goals to create positive change.
An update from The GeelongPort’s Nicole Sexton, Avalon Airport’s Justin Giddings and our very own, Brett Ince left us all excited for the growth and opportunities our industry and region has to look forward to.
The energy in the room was electric and we’re all still on a high from months of anticipation, that didn’t disappoint.
After a big day of soaking in all the knowledge and energy of our inspirational speakers, we were all ready to get the party started and to help us kick it off, we had the talented young women from, the Sweethearts guide us to The Warehouse with a marching band, where we enjoyed some local wine, fabulous catering and we FINALLY got to catch up in person.
Thank you to everyone who attended, we hope you all had a fantastic time and can implement some new strategies in time for what’s sure to be a busy, but brilliant summer.
We couldn’t have done it without the help from our fabulous suppliers and contributors to our gift bags, so here’s a complete list for you, along with the materials promised at each session.
Conference Suppliers and Speakers:
- Rydges Geelong Kerrie Benfield | Kerrie_Benfield@evt.com | https://www.rydges.com/accommodation/melbourne-vic/geelong/
- MAV | Chris Doolen | chrisd@mav.com.au | https://mav.com.au/
- Welcome to County | Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation | Bookings to email reception reception@wadawurrung.org.au | https://www.wadawurrung.org.au/
- Urban List | Susannah George | sgeorge@theurbanlist.com | https://www.theurbanlist.com/melbourne
Downloads:
Wanderlust or Wanderbust Summary – Data from Feb 2021
The Big Still – Tourism Geelong -Data from August 2021
Urban List Insights, Full Wanderlust or Wanderbust Travel Report Feb 2021 - Aboriginal Tourism Cultural Development – The Key To Recovery | Ashleigh Bartley, Specialist, Aboriginal Tourism, Visit Victoria | ashleigh.bartley@visitvictoria.com.au | https://corporate.visitvictoria.com/
- Aboriginal Tourism Cultural Development – The Key To Recovery | Corrina Eccles, Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation | reception@wadawurrung.org.au | https://www.wadawurrung.org.au/
Downloads:
Wadawurrung Language – Intro for IOS - Positive Thinking Is Boring! Top Five Movement | Clare Desira | https://topfivemovement.com/ | clare@topfivemovement.com Documents will be emailed from Top Five Movement for those that provided emails.
- GeelongPort | Nicole Sexton | n.sexton@geelongport.com.au | GeelongPort Construction Video | https://geelongport.com.au/
- Avalon Airport | Justin Giddings | justin.giddings@avalonairport.com.au or, Danielle.Stendt@avalonairport.com.au | https://www.avalonairport.com.au/
- Tourism Geelong Bellarine – Future of tourism in our region | Brett Ince | bince@tourismgeelongbellarine.com.au | TGGB’s corporate plan
- Holly Ransom – Key Note Holly Ransom | For bookings – mel@emergent.global | Holly’s Book – The Leading Edge | https://hollyransom.com/
- Photographer | Timothy Marriage | hello@timothymarriage.com | http://www.timothymarriage.com/
After-Party Suppliers:
- The Warehouse| Yolanda Bogan | warehousegeelong@outlook.com | https://www.facebook.com/thewarehousegeelong/
- Styling by: Style Our Party | Sally | info@styleourparty.com.au | https://styleourparty.com.au/
- Catering by Gathered | Sam Gant | eventmanager@gathered.net.au | https://www.instagram.com/gatheredcatering/
- Band | The Sweethearts | Micheal Fitzgerald | michael@sweethearts.com.au | https://sweethearts.com.au/
- Photographer | Timothy Marriage | hello@timothymarriage.com | http://www.timothymarriage.com/