Tourism innovation launches up north

Delegates to a fresh tourism conference in Cairns can expect a diverse and inspiring agenda for business innovation.

The News Corp Australia Tourism Innovation Conference will be the inaugural event of its kind, with 16 speakers finalised to present a compelling agenda for developing businesses.

“We have just signed the last four speakers with two from Grant Thornton, one of the world’s largest professional services network of independent accounting and consulting member firms,” Tourism Tropical North Queensland (TTNQ) chief executive Officer Alex de Waal said.

“Global leader for the hospitality and tourism industry and head of advisory services for Grant Thornton South Africa, Gillian Saunders, will be a panel member.

“Gillian provides tourism and business strategies, feasibility studies, economic impact assessments, destination marketing plans and valuations to a wide range of clients.

“Partner for Grant Thornton Australia’s Technology Advisory and Solutions offering, Alex Gelman, is the financial innovation presenter with over a decade of successful entrepreneurship in business technology.

“Focusing on the essential role of innovative solutions for corporate financial management, Alex will provide insight into financial data analysis to provide a “windscreen” rather than a “rear vision mirror” understanding of your business and marketplace.

“Telstra’s Director of Capability and Innovation Micheal Ossipoff joins our concurrent session speakers to discuss great examples of marketing innovation which use technology as an integral element of business and marketing strategy.

“Marketing innovation will be discussed by SourceBottle founder Rebecca Derrington, an entrepreneur who created a leading global media resource to connect tens of thousands of public relations professionals, business people, journalists and bloggers.

“Rebecca will share many practical insights, including how you can gain great publicity on a shoestring budget as well as how to leverage digital influencers.”

The full line-up is:

Keynote Speakers

Conference facilitator – media personality James O’Loghlin
Opening keynote – social commentator Bernard Salt
Closing keynote – Dr Karl Kruszelnicki

Business Panel Speakers

Harvey Lister, Chairman and Chief Executive of AEG Ogden
Gillian Saunders, Global leader for the hospitality and tourism industry and head of advisory services for Grant Thornton South Africa
Ken Chapman, CEO of Skyrail-ITM and a director of the Chapman Group
Keith De Lacy, former Queensland Treasurer and business identity

Concurrent Session Speakers

Digital innovation for the digital savvy – Donna Moritz, founder of Socially Sorted
Digital innovation for beginners – Sean Blocksidge from The Margaret River Discovery Co
Distributor innovation – Simon McGrath, Accor Pacific Chief Operating Officer
Leadership & Management innovation – Shelley Wild, Unique People Pty Ltd Managing Director
Product Development innovation – Ian Balme, from Forgotten World Adventures New Zealand
Financial Management innovation – Alex Gelman, Partner for Grant Thornton Australia’s Technology Advisory and Solutions offering
Marketing innovation – Rebecca Derrington, SourceBottle founder
Technology, Marketing and Strategy innovation – Micheal Ossipoff, Director of Capability and Innovation at Telstra

Following the News Corp Australia Tourism innovation Conference speakers and delegates can network at the Intrust Super Tourism Industry Excellence Cocktail Event.

For more information go to www.tictnq.com or join the conversation by following @meetincairnsGBR on Twitter.

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Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au

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