Emerging Tourism Leaders Summit
Program
Registration and Welcome
8.00am – 9.00am
Registrations open, coffee and networking
8.30am
Welcome to Country in collaboration with Choose Tourism Careers Expo
We welcome attendees to join VTIC and YTN for a Welcome to Country by Wurundjeri Elder Murrundindi.
Emerging Tourism Leaders Summit – Morning Sessions
9am
Opening and welcome
Meet your MC for the day Isabel Hurley
The Hon. Steve Dimopoulos, Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events address
9.15am – 10.00am
More than a Getaway
Joey Saunders, General Manager, Budj Bim Cultural Landscapes
Liz Hamilton, Director of Projects, Food and Drink Victoria
Nic Cooper, Founder, Wild Adventures Melbourne (WAM) and 7 Generations Tourism
Facilitated by Madeleine Sawyer, Sustainable Destination Development Officer, Tourism Midwest Victoria
Explore how tourism experiences can leave a lasting impact, not just on visitors, but on communities, culture, and the environment. In this session you’ll hear from three industry leaders paving the way in tourism and lifting the industry from the inside out.
Presentations plus Q&A.
10.00am – 10.30am
Morning tea
Grab a snack and coffee and head into VTIC’s Choose Tourism Careers Expo.
10.30am – 10.40am
Meet Young Tourism Network Chair Monica Arklay
10.40am – 11.00am
On the couch with Lisa Patroni, CEO, Victorian Tourism Industry Council (VTIC)
Masterclass Sessions 1
11.00am – 11.45am
Option 1 – Making change, building alliances, and getting things done
Ian Grimwood, Lead Facilitator & Consultant – Ian Grimwood Consulting
There’s a person who’s welcome in every room they visit, no matter when they arrive: the person who gets things done. But what does it take to deliver results under pressure, especially in the middle of competing ideas and loyalties? In this session, we’ll explore what it takes to build intentional relationships to drive the change you want to see when time is short and priorities are clashing. Leave this session knowing how to get people on board with your ideas and be the person who gets things done.
Option 2 – Founder stories: realising your vision
Joyce Watts, Founder, Tot Hot or Not
Darryl Newby, Co-Founder, Welcome to Travel
Facilitated by Amy Gardner, Freelancer and Founder, Seniors in Melbourne
Ever wondered what it is like to start your own business? This session will delve into two founder’s stories, the how, why and practicalities of running a business.
Joyce Watts founded Tot Hot or Not in 2010 fueled by a passion for connecting parents, carers and kids with amazing experiences and now runs Melbourne and Victoria’s biggest family travel platform.
Darryl Newby co-founded Welcome to Travel with a vision to give travellers a new experience when arriving in Australia and within two years was rated number 1 on TripAdvisor for Tours in Melbourne.
Option 3 – Value Driven Career Crafting
Shaun McKeogh, Chief Executive Officer, Attractions Academy
Learn real examples of what it truly means to work in an organisation where values and inclusion aren’t just words on a wall. Learn how to ask the right questions to uncover a company’s true culture, identify your own non-negotiable values, and research opportunities to set you up for long-term success. This is your chance to step back, reset, and make sure the work you do every day reflects who you are, what you stand for, and the future you want. Walk away with practical ways to choose your career path with purpose rather than just applying for your next job.
Masterclass Sessions 2
11.45am – 12.30pm
Option 1 – Let’s talk about networking
Filip Demir, Tour Admin, Local Way Tours
Fiona Sweetman, Caravan Tourism and Lifestyle Manager, Caravan Industry Victoria and Director, Hidden Secrets Tours
Jack Trainor, Senior Account Manager, Booking.com
Facilitated by Alex Dugdale, Business Development and Leadership Consultant, LiftUp Leadership
Networking is a big part of building a career, yet plenty of us find it awkward and transactional. Together with LiftUp Leadership and our panel of networkers, you’ll redefine networking. We’ll unpack the myths, share simple preparation tips, and give you time to practice curiosity led conversations. This session will be immediately applicable at lunchtime where you can talk to potential employers at the Choose Tourism Careers Expo.
Option 2 – Founder stories: realising your vision
Joyce Watts, Founder, Tot Hot or Not
Darryl Newby, Co-Founder, Welcome to Travel
Facilitated by Amy Gardner, Freelancer and Founder, Seniors in Melbourne
Ever wondered what it is like to start your own business? This session will delve into two founder’s stories, the how, why and practicalities of running a business.
Joyce Watts founded Tot Hot or Not in 2010 fueled by a passion for connecting parents, carers and kids with amazing experiences and now runs Melbourne and Victoria’s biggest family travel platform.
Darryl Newby co-founded Welcome to Travel with a vision to give travellers a new experience when arriving in Australia and within two years was rated number 1 on TripAdvisor for Tours in Melbourne.
Option 3 – Value Driven Career Crafting
Shaun McKeogh, Chief Executive Officer, Attractions Academy
Learn real examples of what it truly means to work in an organisation where values and inclusion aren’t just words on a wall. Learn how to ask the right questions to uncover a company’s true culture, identify your own non-negotiable values, and research opportunities to set you up for long-term success. This is your chance to step back, reset, and make sure the work you do every day reflects who you are, what you stand for, and the future you want. Walk away with practical ways to choose your career path with purpose rather than just applying for your next job.
12.30pm – 1.30pm
Lunch
Take your lunch into the Choose Tourism Careers Expo to explore your next career move and chat directly with prospective employers.
Emerging Tourism Leaders Summit – Afternoon Sessions
1.30pm – 2pm
Jobs of the Future
Elle Reinehr, Client Relationship Manager (MICE), MCG Events by Delaware North
David Do, Learning & Development Manager, W Hotels
Ingrid Fraser, Director of Public Policy & Advocacy – Australian Travel Industry Association
Facilitated by Sam Tooley, Stakeholder Engagement Manager – Tourism, Service and Creative Skills Australia
Hear from decision makers in travel, events and operations on the emerging roles in travel and tourism. Ask questions directly to industry leaders on what skills hirers are looking for now and into the future, how AI is shifting the way we work and the trends in workplace needs.
2pm – 3pm
Playing to your strengths
Mel Neil, Mind Insurance
Discover your innate talents and leverage them effectively. In this session you get a taste of your strengths profile assessment and learn how you can harness this in your leadership journey. Walk away with an understanding of your strengths and how to leverage them in your leadership journey.
3pm – 3.15pm
On the couch with Brendan McClements, Chief Executive Officer, Visit Victoria
3.15pm – 3.45pm
Afternoon tea
Grab a snack and coffee and head into VTIC’s Choose Tourism Careers Expo.
3.45pm – 4.30pm
Crafting tourism careers with Sarah Harrison and Daniela Ruiz Gomez
To end our day, hear from two tourism professionals who have paved their paths in the tourism industry in Australia and overseas.
A career in Destination Marketing
Sarah Harrison, Campaign Manager – Australia, Tourism New Zealand | Manaakitanga Aotearoa
Following her Master of Tourism at Monash University, Sarah built her experience in consumer and trade destination marketing. Taking on opportunities as they come, Sarah moved to London and then to Sydney, to work across a diverse portfolio of destination brands on innovative campaigns and developing strong industry relationships. Sarah is working at Tourism New Zealand, expertly crafting destination marketing campaigns to entice Australians to visit New Zealand.
A career in Sustainability Action
Daniela Ruiz G., Tourism Sustainability Manager, Carbonhalo
Daniela grew up in Patagonia, Chile and realised early on that she aspired to drive change in sustainability and had a love for tourism. She moved to Victoria to study a Master of International Sustainability Tourism Management at Monash University and moved to Tasmania to call Australia her home. Dani has been able to champion sustainability initiatives in all her roles no matter the level and is keen to share how you can too.
4.30pm – 5.30pm
Networking drinks
Network with the Choose Tourism Expo exhibitors and grab a drink with them in the foyer.
5.30pm – Late
After party
Join us at the Melbourne Public for the official Summit after party: welcome drinks and nibbles provided.
