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Explore the Tourism Week program

Three days. Three big events. Plenty to be part of.

Explore the programs for DestinationIQ, DestinationQ and the Queensland Tourism Awards, and see what’s happening across Tourism Week. Simply choose an event below to jump straight to that day’s program.

Day 1: DestinationIQ
Day 2: DestinationQ
Day 3: EventsQ

Day 1: DestinationIQ Program

SESSION
Registration and coffee
Time: 9:15am
Arrive early to collect your delegate pass, download the event app and grab a coffee while you connect with colleagues.
Welcome to Country
Time: 10:00am
Uncle John Graham Snr

Member of the Griffith University Elders and First Peoples Knowledge Holders Advisory Board

Master of Ceremonies welcome
Bo de la Cruz

Commentator at NITV, Fox Sports and Kayo

Opening address: Championing First Nations tourism
Time: 10:25am
Queensland Tourism Industry Council (QTIC) CEO Natassia Wheeler sets the scene for DestinationIQ, sharing QTIC’s commitment to growing First Nations tourism and the importance of working together to create more opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander tourism and events operators across Queensland.
Natassia Wheeler

Chief Executive Officer at Queensland Tourism Industry Council

Minister’s address: First Nations tourism in Queensland’s future
Time: 10:30am
Minister Powell shares the Queensland Government’s vision for First Nations tourism and how Destination 2045 aims to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander tourism experiences, create new opportunities and strengthen the sector’s role in Queensland’s visitor economy.
Hon Andrew Powell MP

Minister for the Environment and Tourism and Minister for Science and Innovation

Industry Keynote Address: Rethinking tourism, reimagining the future
Time: 10:35am
An inspiring and thought-provoking perspective on the future of the tourism industry, exploring emerging trends, opportunities, challenges and the importance of innovation. The session will encourage industry leaders to think differently, adapt to change and consider how collaboration can strengthen Queensland’s tourism industry and its future growth.
Kieran Chilcott

Chief Executive Officer at Kalwun Development Corporation Limited

Connected by Country: Exploring regional Queensland through First Nations experiences
Time: 11:00am
How can stronger connections between destinations, communities and travellers encourage more visitors to explore regional and remote Queensland? This session explores the opportunities and challenges of attracting visitors beyond major tourism hubs, improving access and awareness, and creating lasting benefits for First Nations businesses while keeping local voices and culture at the heart of tourism growth.
Uncle Bob Broome

Senior Cultural Tour Guide, K’gari Cultural Tours, Senior Land Caretaker & Cultural Leader

Jacob Cassady

Director at Mungalla Aboriginal Business Corporation

"Scroll, Share, Storytell": The power of digital yarning
Time: 11:30am
Great storytelling can inspire travel long before visitors arrive. Bringing together First Nations media professionals and digital creators, this session explores how digital storytelling connects audiences with Country and culture, inspires travel and creates opportunities for communities and businesses, while keeping authenticity and cultural integrity at its heart.
Aaron Fa’aoso

Australian actor, screenwriter and producer

Tamra Forde

Founder and Owner at Songlines Digital

Presentation of Pip & Charles Awards sponsored by Carers Queensland
Time: 12:00pm
Lunch
Time: 12:10pm
First Nations data insights
Time: 1:00pm
What’s next for First Nations tourism in Queensland? Join Robbie Dalton, Founder and CEO of Localis, as he reveals emerging trends, exclusive insights and projections shaping the future of the sector.
Robbie Dalton

Founder and Chief Executive Officer at Localis

State of Play: Indigenous tourism in Queensland 
Time: 1:15pm
Where are we now, and where are we heading? Hear from key industry and government representatives on the current state of First Nations tourism in Queensland, including industry growth, investment, opportunities, challenges and priorities shaping the sector’s future.
Cheryl Thompson

Director at Independent Indigenous Tourism Operators of Queensland (IITOQ)

Gael Duff

First Nations Director at Tourism and Events Queensland

Justine Dillon

Project Manager at Guanaba Indigenous Protected Area

Sorita McGrane

Non Executive Director at Many Rivers

Working in partnership: A Queensland Government perspective
Time: 1:45pm
Strong partnerships create lasting opportunities for First Nations tourism. Hear from DETSI Deputy Director-General Ben Klaassen on how government and First Nations communities can work together to strengthen the sector, support businesses and deliver meaningful outcomes for Country and community.
Ben Klassen

Deputy Director-General at Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science & Innovation

Partnerships for impact: Eco-tourism and sustainability panel
Time: 2:05pm
How can tourism leave destinations, communities and Country better than we found them? Through Queensland case studies, this session explores how First Nations and non-Indigenous operators are working together to create tourism experiences that benefit local communities, care for Country and deliver lasting positive change.
Simon Thornalley

Managing Director at Saltwater Eco Tours

Heidi Quatro

Team Leader at Jellurgal's First Nations Ranger Program

Ben Klassen

Deputy Director-General at Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science & Innovation

Sarah Gardiner

Director at Griffith Institute For Tourism

When Culture comes alive: Events, festivals and live experiences panel
Time: 2:35pm
From cultural festivals to major sporting events, live experiences are giving travellers new reasons to explore. This session looks at how events can attract visitors, showcase local culture and create lasting benefits for destinations and communities.
Bradley Chatfield

Head of First Nations Programming at Queensland Performing Arts Centre

Mark Duckworth

Director of Events and Festivals at Experience Gold Coast

Afternoon Tea
Time: 3:05pm
Immersed in Country: Culture, connection and welcome
Time: 3:30pm
Country is at the heart of meaningful visitor experiences. This session explores how culture, storytelling and innovation can shape more immersive and inclusive tourism experiences, connecting visitors with place and welcoming people of all backgrounds and abilities.
Johnny Murison

Owner at Jarramali Rock Art Tours

Brook Silvester

Founder at First Nations Lifeguards and Bombora Surf School

Troy Casey

Managing Director at Blaklash Creative

Petina Tieman

Managing Director of Complete Business Solutions and Beyond Mobility

First Nations Tourism Legacy: Brisbane 2032
Time: 4:00pm
As Queensland prepares to welcome the world, what cultural legacy will Brisbane 2032 leave? This panel explores how the Games can create lasting opportunities for First Nations communities, creatives and businesses, with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, stories and voices at its heart.
Georgina Baumann

Community Engagement Specialist at Brisbane 2032

Michelle Morris

Executive Director at MI Global Partners

Lisa Ruhanen

Interim Dean and Head of School at The University of Queensland Business School

Networking drinks & canapés
Time: 4:30pm

While all endeavours are made to ensure event information is accurate, please note that times and sessions are subject to change.

Day 2: DestinationQ Program

SESSION
Registration and coffee
Time: 7:00am
Arrive early to collect your delegate pass, download the event app and grab a coffee while you connect with colleagues.
Welcome to Country
Time: 8:00am
Master of Ceremonies welcome
Tim Davies

Journalist and television presenter

Opening keynote - Setting the scene: Queensland tourism & the future visitor
Time: 8:12am
Demographer and trends analyst Simon Kuestenmacher opens DestinationQ with a look at the forces reshaping our industry, from how people live, work and travel to the changing ways visitors discover and choose destinations. Then, put your questions directly to Simon in a live Q&A and dig deeper into what these trends could mean for your business and region.
Simon Kuestenmacher

Co-Founder & Director at The Demographics Group

Localis - Live visitor economy data
Time: 8:54am
Localis delivers an up-to-the-minute snapshot of visitor economy data and insights to the room - a real-time read on how Queensland is tracking to inform the conversations ahead.
Robbie Dalton

Founder and Chief Executive Officer at Localis

Premier's address: Queensland's tourism growth agenda
Time: 9:16am
Hear directly from the Premier on the Queensland Government’s vision for tourism and the priorities driving Destination 2045, including the ambition to more than double visitor expenditure to $84 billion. Discover what this direction means for our industry and the opportunities ahead.
Hon David Crisafulli

Premier and Minister for Veterans

Deputy Premier’s address
Time: 9:48am
The Deputy Premier takes the stage to share how Queensland’s bigger plans for growth and investment connect with the future of tourism and events, and what that could mean for our industry.
Hon Jarrod Bleijie MP

Deputy Premier, Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning and Minister for Industrial Relations

Delivering for Queensland: Whole-of-Government alignment
Time: 10:10am
Step inside the big conversations shaping the future of Queensland tourism. This facilitated panel with Queensland’s Tourism Cabinet Committee will explore what’s ahead for infrastructure, better connections, major events, workforce and regulation, and what it all means for our industry.
Hon Andrew Powell MP

Minister for the Environment and Tourism and Minister for Science and Innovation

Hon Tim Mander MP

Minister for Sport and Racing and Minister for the Olympic and Paralympic Games

Hon Steven (Steve) Minnikin

Minister for Customer Services and Open Data and Minister for Small and Family Business

Jessica Millward

News Reporter at Nine

Morning Tea
Time: 10:52am
Experience Gold Coast - 50 years of destination stewardship built on momentum
Time: 11:24am
Get the latest on the Gold Coast’s visitor economy, from major infrastructure projects and tourism performance to what’s coming next. Experience Gold Coast will also explore opportunities to work together and grow tourism and events across Queensland.
John Warn

Chief Executive Officer at Experience Gold Coast

Brisbane 2032 & tourism legacy: The green and gold runway - “The countdown is on!”
Time: 11:46am
Get ahead of Brisbane 2032 and explore what the Games could mean for tourism across Queensland. This relaxed in-conversation session looks at the opportunities ahead and what operators can do now to be part of the 2032 journey, followed by an audience Q&A.
Andrew Liveris AO

President at Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games Organising Committee

Director-General ‘Ask me anything’
Time: 12:18pm
Back by popular demand following last year’s success, this candid conversation puts operators at the centre. Raise the issues that matter to your business, get clarity on government programs and put your questions directly to senior departmental leaders.
Patricia O'Callaghan

Director-General at Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science & Innovation

Graham Fraine

Director-General at Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Manufacturing and Regional and Rural Development

Damien Walker

Director-General at Department of the Premier and Cabinet

Bronwyn Blagoev

Director-General at Department of Local Government, Water and Volunteers

David Sinclair

Acting Director-General at Department of Customer Services, Open Data and Small and Family Business

Lunch
Time: 12:58pm
Brand Queensland, destination marketing & regional positioning
Time: 2:00pm
Discover what’s changing the way visitors choose where to travel and how Queensland is responding. Explore how operators, destinations and Tourism and Events Queensland can work together to tell a stronger Queensland story, with practical examples of what’s working and why.
Susan Coghill

Chief Marketing Officer at Tourism Australia

Kim McConnie

Group Executive Marketing at Tourism and Events Queensland

Quentin Long

Co-Founder and Managing Director at Australian Traveller Media

Ryan Thomas

Chief Executive Officer at Ignite Travel Group

Rachel Hancock

Head of Destination and Engagement at Experience Gold Coast

Workforce, AI & the future of service delivery
Time: 2:32pm
Explore how AI and changing workforce expectations are reshaping the way tourism and events businesses work. Hear practical ideas from operators on attracting and keeping great people, building their skills and using technology to deliver better experiences.
Greg Yong

Group Chief Executive Officer at Coast Entertainment Holdings

Georgia Newton

AI Deployment Lead at Affinda

Stewart Kirkup

General Manager Operations at Discovery Parks

Nick Ellis

Founder of Stay Disrupted

Industry capability, accreditation & measuring success
Time: 3:04pm
Tourism operators take the stage to share how accreditation and practical business programs are helping them lift the bar, strengthen their businesses and deliver better visitor experiences. Discover what’s working for operators of all shapes and sizes across Queensland.
Erin McLeod

Chief Executive Officer at the Australian Tourism Industry Council

Lisa Chambers

Chief Marketing Officer at Cairns Adventure Group

Andy Jiang

Tourism Experience and Sector Development Director at Tourism and Events Queensland

Rachael Lang

Owner and Director at Diamondvale Estate

Experience development, tourism investment & innovation pathways: RTIF & TIIF in action
Time: 3:31pm
See how Queensland tourism and events investment is turning big ideas into new and improved visitor experiences. Hear directly from grant recipients about their journey from concept to delivery, with practical insights and an audience Q&A to help demystify the funding process.
Bridget Woods

Deputy Director-General at Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science & Innovation

David Taylor

Project Developer at Numinbah Escape

Dewayne Mundraby

Economic Development Manager at Mandingalbay Yidinji Aboriginal Corporation

Leah Cross

Owner at The Dusty Chook

Afternoon Tea
Time: 4:06pm
Regenerative tourism, sustainability & climate resilience
Time: 4:38pm
Discover how sustainability can become a real competitive advantage. This panel explores regenerative tourism, changing global expectations and how stronger environmental and cultural practices can build resilience, strengthen your brand and appeal to tomorrow’s travellers.
Amanda Jackes

Managing Director and Co-Founder at Woodfordia Ltd

Stewart Moore

Chief Executive Officer at EarthCheck

Jason Heffernan

Owner at Back Country Bliss Adventures

Peter Gaash

Managing Director & Custodian at Lady Elliot Island Eco Reort

Chris Thomas

Chief Executive Officer at National Parks Association of Queensland Inc

The world is watching: How major events transform destinations
Time: 5:10pm
Discover how the world’s biggest events can transform a destination long after the crowds leave. Drawing on Eurovision, London 2012 and Birmingham 2022, explore what it takes to create a defining moment, before a live Q&A brings the lessons home to Queensland and Brisbane 2032.
Martin Green

Director at Eurovision Song Contest

Closing panel: Insights and reflections on DIQ and DQ
Time: 5:32pm
Wrap up two days of Tourism Week as industry and government leaders reflect on the key moments, conversations and insights from DestinationIQ and DestinationQ. Share your own reflections, ask questions and explore what these discussions mean for the future of Queensland's tourism and events industry.
Natassia Wheeler

Chief Executive Officer at Queensland Tourism Industry Council

Bree James

Assistant Minister for Tourism, Early Learning, Creative Industries and Far North Queensland

Patricia O'Callaghan

Director-General at Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science & Innovation

Craig Davidson

Chief Executive Officer at Tourism and Events Queensland

Networking drinks & canapés
Time: 5:57pm

While all endeavours are made to ensure event information is accurate, please note that times and sessions are subject to change.

Day 3: EventsQ

SESSION
Registration and lunch
Time: 11:30am
Arrive early to collect your delegate pass and grab lunch while you connect with colleagues.
Welcome and introductions
Time: 12:00pm
Louise Bezzina

Chief Executive Officer and Artistic Director at Brisbane Powerhouse

Welcome to Country
Time: 12:05pm
Ministerial Address - Queensland events ambition
Time: 12:10pm
Hon Andrew Powell MP

Minister for the Environment and Tourism and Minister for Science and Innovation

From ambition to action - Backing Queensland's events industry
Time: 12:20pm
Natassia Wheeler

Chief Executive Officer at Queensland Tourism Industry Council

Craig Davidson

Chief Executive Officer at Tourism and Events Queensland

The industry behind the impact - Panel discussion
Time: 12:35pm
Krista Hauritz

Owner at Krista Hauritz Tourism & Events

Kym Guesdon

General Manager at Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre

Stuart Field

Co-Founder and Managing Director at Oztix

Adam Brunes

Co-Founder at Aruga

Mark Duckworth

Director of Events and Festivals at Experience Gold Coast

What if we thought bigger?
Time: 1:15pm
Martin Green

Director at Eurovision Song Contest

Louise Bezzina

Chief Executive Officer and Artistic Director at Brisbane Powerhouse

Key takeaways and close
Time: 1:40pm
Networking drinks & canapés
Time: 1:50pm

Tourism Week Sponsors

Principal Partners

Destination Partner