Meet Intrepid’s Leigh Barnes, one of our fabulous Travel DAZE speakers!

Meet Intrepid’s Leigh Barnes, one of our fabulous Travel DAZE speakers!

Travel DAZE is in less than a month, people! And to start getting you excited for this fabulous, educational, kick arse event, we thought you should get to know our speakers a little better.

Leigh Barnes is the chief purpose officer (CPO) of the Intrepid Group, and just happens to be one of those speakers!

Barnes started at Intrepid in 2010, and most recently lead the company’s North American business in Toronto – resulting in North America becoming the fastest growing region for Intrepid, with 60 per cent growth in the past two years.

Pretty impressive, right?

Lucky for us (and for you) he’s back in his hometown of Melbourne in the newly created role of chief purpose officer! And he’s pretty damn excited to wow you at Travel DAZE.

What are you most looking forward to at Travel DAZE 2018?

Learn, learn & learn.

The event’s theme is Kick Arse. How are you kicking arse in your current role at Intrepid Travel?

Growing with Purpose. As the world’s largest adventure travel company, we have invested a substantial sum of money in the communities and places we visit, are a signatory to the United Nations Global Compact, raised almost six million dollars for the Intrepid Foundation and recently became a certified B Corp.

All these things are obviously great, but they have also helped us grow at a record rate, the more we grow the more impactful projects we can do. And that is pretty Kick Arse.

What’s been the most rewarding travel experience you’ve ever had and why?

Trekking to Everest Base Camp and Gokyo Lakes in Nepal!

This trip challenged and changed me- walking through the Himalayas every day and taking in the natural beauty was out of this world. The trip reignited my passion for the outdoors and helped me realise why I love to travel; to connect with people and the world around me.

What message do you hope you can impart to the attendees of Travel DAZE?

It’s an absolute privilege to work in travel. Travel is now one of the largest industries in the world, we need to create positive change, we need to take ownership and take action.

Who’s been your greatest inspiration in the travel industry and why?

The people I get to work with every day. The passion that our staff bring to make themselves better each day inspires me to be better. I love the energy new people bring to the industry!

Travel DAZE 2018 will be held on Monday, September 3 2018, at Belvoir St Theatre. Grab your tickets right here, and for all the other deets, head to the website.

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