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.
The kind of place you dream about… then realise it’s real. Perched above South Mission Beach, @elandraresort offers front-row views to the Coral Sea and the islands beyond. Hands up if you have stayed here?
📸 @permanentlywandering
#exploreTNQ #explorecairnsGBR #thisisqueensland #seeaustralia @queensland @australia @cassowarycoastaustralia
ID: A tropical pool setting complete with palm trees, sun lounges and a view looking out the Coral Sea.
Is this as close to island perfection as you will find? We think so...let us introduce you to #FitzroyIsland 🌴🤿.
🎥 @amys.camera.lens
#exploreTNQ #explorecairnsGBR #thisisqueensland #seeaustralia @queensland @australia @fitzroyisland @fitzroyislandadventures @sunloverreefcruises
ID Aerial footage of Fitzroy Island shows boats anchored in clear turquoise water, white-sand beaches backed by rainforest, and swimmers enjoying the water.
There’s cheese boards… and then there’s @mungallicreek cheese boards. Think creamy farm-made cheese, house-baked sweets, seasonal fruit and organic ice cream churned just metres from where it’s served. Pull up a chair on the verandah and settle in, this is what slow food looks like on the @athertontablelands.
#exploreTNQ #explorecairnsGBR #thisisqueensland #seeaustralia @queensland
@australia
ID A couple visits Mungalli Creek Dairy. They browse the café’s cake display, order a large cheese platter, and enjoy it on the verandah overlooking the mountainous countryside.
Here at Etty Bay, the Southern Cassowary is part of the landscape but it’s also part of a much bigger story. These ancient rainforest guardians need our respect and protection to survive, so give them space, keep your distance and count yourself lucky if you see one.
📸 @helenapetryportfolio
ID A Southern Cassowary walks along the shoreline at Etty Bay, its striking black feathers and blue and red neck contrasting against the sand and ocean behind.
#exploreTNQ #explorecairnsGBR #thisisqueensland #seeaustralia @queensland @australia
Low tide magic on the Great Barrier Reef Drive.
🎥 @kellerdiaries
ID Drone footage of the Great Barrier Reef Drive between Cairns and Port Douglas, featuring low tide sandbanks, winding coastal roads, turquoise waters and rainforest.
#exploreTNQ #explorecairnsGBR #thisisqueensland #seeaustralia @queensland @australia @portdouglasdaintree
Wow! Can you feel the energy from this morning’s IRONMAN Cairns start?
It was next level… who else got goosebumps? Big congrats to young guns Bailey Tuddenham and Madi Toovey 🏊♂️🚴♀️🏃♂️ for taking out the IRONMAN 70.3. The full IRONMAN is far from over, so don’t miss a minute of the action on the Cairns Esplanade today 🎉🔥.
#exploreTNQ #explorecairnsGBR #thisisqueensland #seeaustralia @queensland @australia @visitpalmcove 🎥 @ironman.cairns
ID A video showing the electric atmosphere at the IRONMAN Cairns start line. Athletes run into the water as the race begins, surrounded by cheering crowds, event flags and the early morning light over the Coral Sea.
Not a bad spot for a winter dip. Just saying.
📍Cairns Lagoon
📸 @myholidaycentre
ID Cairns Lagoon at sunset, featuring people swimming and relaxing in the water. The sky is painted in pastel pink and purple hues, with the iconic silver fish sculptures standing along the waterfront.
#exploreTNQ #explorecairnsGBR #thisisqueensland #seeaustralia @queensland @australia
We know where we would rather be 😉. Trev’s out here road testing both ends of the thermometer, what’s your pick? Beanies or boardies?
🎥 @trevs_gone_outdoors
#exploreTNQ #explorecairnsGBR #thisisqueensland #seeaustralia @queensland @australia
ID The video follows a man transitioning between two extreme landscapes, the tropical rainforest of Tropical North Queensland and the snowy mountains of southern Australia.
When the whales are this curious, you don’t need to chase the moment, it finds you 💙. Dwarf minke season has arrived, bringing the gentle giants of the deep back to the Great Barrier Reef.
Known for their calm nature and surprising curiosity, these sleek swimmers often circle boats and snorkellers, creating once-in-a-lifetime encounters you will never forget. The #GreatBarrierReef is the only place on Earth where you can swim with dwarf minke whales and it only happens for two months a year, right here in Tropical North Queensland.
Seen one? Dreaming of it? Tell us👇
🎥 @pablocogollos_photography and @oceanearthstudios via @gbrmarinepark
#exploreTNQ #explorecairnsGBR #thisisqueensland #seeaustralia @queensland @australia
ID Underwater footage of a dwarf minke whale in the clear waters of the Great Barrier Reef.
Heli views, river crossings, red dirt, waterfalls, beach camps and one cracking sunset. Cape York, you’re a wild one and we love it!
📍Creb Track to the Tip
🚙 Pack the recovery tracks
🌴 Stay for a good time, not a long time
🎥 @_lanicooper_
ID A compilation of Cape York adventure scenes featuring 4WD vehicles crossing creeks, navigating muddy tracks and driving along red dirt roads.
