Trusted Advisor Program

About the Program

The Young Tourism Network’s Trusted Advisor Program connects emerging visitor economy professionals (Advisees) with established industry professionals (Advisors) in a 12-week mentoring program.

Why get involved?

Advisee

Advisees are early career professionals and students with a keen interest in pursuing a career in tourism, events or hospitality. Advisees must be YTN members to participate.

Benefits
Build confidence for your future in tourism and clarity on career options.
Gain practical guidance on resumes, interviews, and industry expectations.
Create new networks and industry connections.
Gain insight into how the tourism industry works in Victoria
Increase your confidence, resilience, and adaptability
Apply NOW (ADVISEE)

Advisor

Advisors are passionate leaders keen to share their experiences with those starting out their careers in the tourism industry.

Benefits
Contribute positively by supporting emerging professionals.
Practice mentoring and refine leadership skills.
Learn directly from leading Applied Emotional Intelligence coach Mel Neil
Reflect on own career journey
Build your network and gain new perspectives from emerging professionals.
Apply NOW (ADVISOR)




Program inclusions

Explore what’s included in the program for Advisees and Advisors, including mentoring, professional development and industry experiences designed to support your career growth in tourism.

Mentoring
Personalised, one-on-one guidance throughout the program

Professional Development
Workshops and tools to build your skills and confidence

Industry Connection
Networking events and real-world exposure to the visitor economy

Advisors

  • 2x in person networking and learning sessions
    • Leveraging Our Strengths workshop with Mel Neil
    • Speed networking event and graduation with advisees and program alumni
  • 1x online workshop
    • Quality Conversations – Listening and Connecting workshop with Mel Neil
  • 6x mentoring sessions throughout the program with advisee
    • Participants are paired based on career interests, experience and desired learning outcomes for the advisee
    • Participants meet (online or in person) for 30-45 minutes every three weeks from May to October with an opportunity for workplace visits where possible. The sessions are semi-structured with flexibility and scope for each pair to co-develop a plan that suits their schedule and needs
  • Starter Strengths Profile: complete the online profile to discover your top 3 realised strengths, 3 unrealised strengths, 2 learned behaviours and 1 weakness. This will help you gain self-awareness of what you love to do and support your professional development.

Optional addition to program (opt in): personal coaching session with Mel Neil from Mind Insurance for $495 + GST.

Advisees
  • 3x in person networking and learning sessions
    • Tourism 101 session with YTN and the Victorian State Government
    • Tourism Famil – hear about roles in tourism and explore where you might fit in the visitor economy
    • Speed networking event and graduation with advisors and alumni
  • 6x mentoring sessions with advisor
    • Participants are paired based on career interests, experience and desired learning outcomes for the advisee
    • Participants meet (online or in person) for 30-45 minutes every three weeks from May to October with an opportunity for workplace visits where possible. The sessions are semi-structured with flexibility and scope for each pair to co-develop a plan that suits their schedule and needs
  • Starter Strengths Profile: complete the online profile to discover your top 3 realised strengths, 3 unrealised strengths, 2 learned behaviours and 1 weakness. This will help you gain self-awareness of what you love to do and support your professional development.

Advisor Trainer – Mel Neil
(Founder & CEO, Mind Insurance)

With a passion for enabling an ever-growing number of people to access the science of human flourishing, Mel Neil has been coaching and consulting for over 15 years. Using her strengths-based approach, she designs and delivers custom leadership and performance programs for clients in the public and private sectors.

Mel has partnered with YTN to develop and deliver the Trusted Advisor Program since the program launched in 2017. She provides coaching to the advisors throughout the program to strengthen their leadership and mentoring skills and build their confidence.

In 2026 Mel is facilitating two workshops for Advisors during the TAP program:
– Leveraging Our Strengths workshop with Mel Neil
– Quality Conversations – Listening and Connecting workshop with Mel Neil

APPLY NOW (ADVISOR)

Key Dates 2026*

01.

Applications Open

Tuesday 7 April

02.

Applications Close

Friday 27 April

03.

Successful participant notification

Tuesday 5 May

04.

Program launch night

Tuesday 26 May

  • Networking and workshops (in person)
  • Leveraging Our Strengths workshop with Mel Neil
  • Tourism 101 session with YTN and the Victorian State Government

05.

Advisee tourism famil (in person)

Tuesday 28 July

06.

Advisor workshop

Tuesday 4 August

Quality Conversations – Listening and Connecting with Mel Neil (online workshop)

07.

Closing event

Thursday 15 October

Quality Conversations – Listening and Connecting with Mel Neil (online workshop)

*Please note that these dates may be subject to change

What previous participants have said about The Trusted Advisor Program…

“The TAP program allowed me to develop my leadership skills whilst giving back to the tourism industry. When I was studying at university, I didn’t have tourism as a potential career path on my radar, so it is great to see a program like this out there to help more people understand the possibilities.”

2025 Advisor

“It was an honor to be part of the Young Tourism Network Trusted Advisor Program. It was a rewarding experience supporting an emerging professional find their path in tourism. It has reminded me about the power of connection and volunteering. The program offers a great opportunity to give back while learning from fresh perspectives.”

2025 Advisor

“I’ve really enjoyed being part of this program and making connections with so many interesting people in the industry! The matching of advisee to advisor was spot on, which was also really beneficial.”

2025 Advisee

My advisor was extremely
easy to converse with, we
had some wonderful
discussions together, he
had an excellent
knowledge of the tourism
industry, and he was
extremely positive and
approachable.

Anna de Leeuw Pool

Advisee

The match could not have
been more perfect, our
interests were aligned and
we were able to share
really valuable learnings
together as we had similar
lived experiences. It was a
pleasure to see her growth
through the program.

Maddy Sawyer

Advisor

The experience of being a recent graduate still seeking my next steps forward has often felt very isolating and confusing, but participating in TAP really helped me realign with my goals and affirmed that I am not alone in navigating this transition. I have a much better sense of what is next for me, and more insight into the industry.

2023 Advisee

The Trusted Advisor Program gave me an opportunity to give back to the industry. I was able to help guide my Advisee through the range of career pathways and options available to her, and seeing her grow over the months was extremely rewarding. I would recommend the Trusted Advisor Program to anyone considering taking part.

2023 Advisor

I was so happy I could meet someone a few years ahead in their career to give me tips. It really gave me hope that I would find a job in tourism that I love.

2023 Advisee

Mind Insurance psychonaut Mel Neil always provides valuable insights, and she scattered numerous pieces of gold across this Trusted Advisor Program.

2023 Advisor

READY TO APPLY?

Applications are now open for the
2025 Trusted Advisor Program!

APPLY now

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