My Queensland TNQ Tourism Conference
Hilton Cairns | 19 JUNE 2024
Hilton Cairns | 19 JUNE 2024
The My Queensland TNQ Tourism Conference is a full day of future-focused ideas, discussions, and stories delivered by speakers with extensive backgrounds in tourism, marketing, digital and beyond.
Join us as we share our region’s vision for international travel recovery. We’ll discuss the significance of navigating future global trends and explore how technology is transforming the way we live, learn, and work. Together, we will delve into the importance and future of transformational experiences and their role in shaping the TNQ travel landscape.
At the Conference you’ll be among industry from across the region. Connect with peers, talk with our speakers and members of the TTNQ team. When the presentations are done, we’ll help you break the ice with our networking happy hour. Leave feeling connected and inspired to take your business and marketing efforts to the next level.
In these sessions, we will hear valuable insights from a destination and trade marketing perspective. Speakers include representatives from Tourism Australia, Tourism and Events Queensland, Tourism Tropical North Queensland, dentsu QLD and My Queensland Holidays.
Keynote speaker Simon Kuestenmacher, Director and Co-Founder of The Demographics Group, will take the morning session to a new level by addressing the demographic and global trends that are shaping Australia today.
In this evolving landscape of travel, people are actively seeking experiences that enrich, awaken and transform them. People seek to ignite something new within themselves by consciously connecting with and appreciating our extraordinary planet, its people and cultures. Together we will explore how transformational experiences are woven into the TNQ travel landscape. Speakers include Dr. Yolanda Waters from the University of Queensland and local tourism businesses.
In today’s increasingly digital world, there is no denying that technology is here to stay. As organisations, communities and businesses grapple with how technology is changing the way we live, work, and learn, one piece of technology that continues to level the playing field is artificial intelligence. Keynote speaker Scott Millar will share the ways in which AI is being used today from simple tools we use on our devices, to the innovations transforming industries. With a focus on responsible uses of technology, Scott will challenge audiences to find the opportunity in uncertainty as we all navigate our digital world.
Compare notes and catch up with your industry colleagues during the networking session at the end of the conference.
My Queensland is part of the award-winning Ignite Travel Group, Australia’s leading travel distribution platform. They complement supplier distribution channels by delivering experience-rich packages that both inspire customers and create new volumes for their partners.
dentsu QLD is a leading marketing and communications specialist known for delivering best-in-class integrated services and solutions in media, CXM, creative and public relations. Fiercely local and proudly global, dentsu Qld is backed by 48,000 professionals worldwide across 45 markets.
Tourism and Events Queensland is a statutory body of the Queensland Government and the state’s lead marketing, destination and experience development and major events agency. Working across government and in partnership with regional tourism organisations, industry and commercial stakeholders, we aim to build Queensland’s tourism and events industry.
A a keynote speaker, Simon also a columnist for The New Daily newspaper and regular contributor to The Australian newspaper, presents on demographic and global trends shaping Australia. He is a media commentator on demographic and data matters and runs the world’s largest Twitter account dedicated to maps and data. His social media posts reach over 35 million people monthly and he ranks among the top 10 influencers in data.
Phillipa (Pip) is responsible for driving Tourism Australia’s strategies to create sustainable international demand for Australia’s tourism experiences and working with the tourism industry to support the sector’s recovery from the impacts of the events of 2020.
Kim is an accomplished marketing leader with a rich background in marketing, brand sponsorship, broadcasting and rights holding. She brings more than 25 years experience to TEQ, having achieved excellent results in her previous roles utilising a consumer-centric approach.
As a special guest at the conference, Michael Healy MP’s responsibilities include tourism development and promotion, tourism investment attraction, marketing and promotion of international education and training, major events, sport and recreation.
Chris at dentsu QLD is a results-orientated marketing professional with 20 years experience in developing, optimising and executing advanced marketing and communications strategies. He has led successful partnerships, such as: TEQ, Bunnings, Target, KMART, Flight Centre, Cathay Pacific, Coca-Cola UK, AB Inbev UK, ING, RACQ, Hyundai, Kia, Isuzu, the Australian Federal Government and Australian Defence Force.
After 21 years’ experience in the travel industry, Rod joined Ignite Travel Group in 2013. Boasting a wealth of sales and contracting leadership experience, he is responsible for the strategic direction of product recruitment for My Queensland.
As a keynote speaker, Scott is on a mission to help businesses navigate the ever-changing future of work and inspire us to seize opportunuties in the digital world. Having been compared to a young Steve Jobs, he is a two-time TEDx speaker who has been named one of Australia’s top 30 business leaders under 30 years of age, Queensland’s Young Small Business Leader, and Asia Pacific’s Inspiring Youth Leader.
As a special guest at the conference Cr Amy Eden was elected as Mayor at the 2024 local government elections. Cairns Regional Council works in partnership with TTNQ to increase and strengthen our regions visitor economy.
Dr. Yolanda is passionate about protecting vulnerable marine ecosystems and empowering community climate action through dive tourism. She completed a PhD at the University of Queensland which explored the diverse connections between people and iconic places like the Great Barrier Reef, and the extent to which transformative experiences can shift minds, hearts, and hands. Yolanda is also the founder of Divers for Climate, storyteller at Ocean Culture Life and young ocean leader at the Sustainable Ocean Alliance.
Lani is the marketing leader for TTNQ, bringing with her more than 15 years of valuable experience in tourism marketing. She has extensive experience developing and implementing integrated marketing campaigns and leading successful product launches, promotions, digital marketing, and strategic brand development.
Additional speakers will be added soon. Check back for more!
9:00 | Arrival, registration and refreshments
9:30 | Welcome, Session 1 – Global Tourism and Marketing
Morning Tea
11:00 | Session 2 – Keynote speaker Simon Kuestenmacher, demographic and global trends
Lunch
1:30 | Session 3 – Transformational Experiences
Afternoon Tea
3:00 | Session 4 – Keynote speaker Scott Millar, Responsible uses of technology and AI
4:30 | Networking – happy hour
[please note the program is subject to change]
*Includes morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea and networking drinks
*Refunds are available up to 7 days prior to the event
TTNQ Champion of Tourism Members receive 2 complimentary tickets. A promo code has been sent to your organisation to access the complimentary tickets.
Contact [email protected] for registration questions or issues.
If this was your view, would you ever leave? 🌅✨
🎥 @thetemplecapeyork
#exploreTNQ #explorecairnsGBR #queenslandholidayfeeling #seeaustralia
@queensland @australia
Grab the popcorn, it’s movie night at the nostalgic Mareeba Drive-In Theatre 🌴🎬
Catch the latest releases under tropical skies, settle in for a stunning sunset, stock up on all your candy bar favourites, and enjoy the comfort of your own car.
Check out what’s screening this Friday and Saturday at @mareebadrivein_in
🎥 @felice.mewawong @visitmareebashire
🚂🌿 All aboard one of Australia’s most scenic journeys.
The Kuranda Scenic Railway winds through ancient rainforest, across bridges and past cascading waterfalls.
With breathtaking views of the rainforest and Barron Falls along the way, the journey is just as memorable as the destination.
📍 @kurandascenicrailway, @kurandavillage
🎥 @shutterbird.co
#exploreTNQ #explorecairnsGBR #queenslandholidayfeeling #seeaustralia
@queensland @australia
A world beneath the surface 💙✨
This World Ocean Day, we celebrate the oceans that sustain life, inspire adventure, and connect communities around the globe.
In Tropical North Queensland, the reef is a powerful reminder of the incredible beauty and biodiversity our oceans hold 🐢🪸
#exploreTNQ #explorecairnsGBR #queenslandholidayfeeling #seeaustralia
@queensland @australia
A place like no other 🐠🌿🧡
From the Reef to the Rainforest and the Outback, Tropical North Queensland is home to two World Heritage-listed natural wonders and some of Australia`s most extraordinary landscapes.
This World Environment Day, we celebrate the beauty, biodiversity, and cultural significance of these unique environments, and the importance of protecting them for future generations.
Together, we can help ensure these extraordinary ecosystems continue to thrive. 🌏✨
#exploreTNQ #explorecairnsGBR #queenslandholidayfeeling #seeaustralia
@queensland
Le Petit Chef is back at DoubleTree by Hilton Cairns 🍽️✨ A dining experience where your meal comes to life right before your eyes!
Don’t miss this unforgettable dining adventure at @doubletreecairns 👨🏻🍳🍷
#exploreTNQ #explorecairnsGBR #queenslandholidayfeeling #seeaustralia
@queensland @australia
Pick a number & choose your own adventure in Tropical North Queensland 🌴
From bungee jumping, skydiving, rafting, canyoning to zip lining we’ve got your next adrenaline hit covered 🤙
Which adventure are you choosing next?
#exploreTNQ #explorecairnsGBR #queenslandholidayfeeling #seeaustralia
@queensland @australia
This World Reef Day, we’re celebrating one of the world’s most extraordinary natural wonders 🪸✨
From vibrant coral gardens to unforgettable encounters beneath the surface, there’s nowhere quite like the Great Barrier Reef.
#exploreTNQ #explorecairnsGBR #queenslandholidayfeeling #seeaustralia
@queensland @australia
Find yourself a hiking buddy with four legs and head to the Atherton Tablelands 🐶🌿
Mt Baldy is the perfect hike, a short but steep 3km return with incredible views at the top, plus the option to extend the hike to Yabi Mountain.
Finish the day in Yungaburra with lunch, coffee, and maybe a well-earned cocktail at @mrbelsonyungaburra 🍸
Link in bio for more dog-friendly inspo ✨🐾
#exploreTNQ #explorecairnsGBR #queenslandholidayfeeling #seeaustralia @athertontablelands
@queensland @australia
⚠️ make sure to follow the signs and stick to the paths
National Reconciliation Week is a time to reflect on our shared histories, learn from one another, and continue building meaningful relationships. 💛
In Tropical North Queensland, there are many meaningful ways to connect with and celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures from storytelling and art to guided cultural experiences on Country!
Link in bio to discover more.
#exploreTNQ #explorecairnsGBR #queenslandholidayfeeling #seeaustralia
@queensland @australia
