2024 Australian Regional Tourism Convention
As Australia’s regional tourism industry faces both incredible opportunities and significant challenges, there’s never been a better time to gather with industry leaders, exchange ideas, and find innovative ways to elevate your regional destination. That’s why I’m thrilled to announce that I’ll be attending and partnering with the team delivering the Australian Regional Tourism Convention in Mackay, from October 9 to 11! This event brings together the brightest minds in the industry and provides an unparalleled opportunity to network, learn, and grow.
In this post, I’m excited to share with you three compelling reasons why you should join us at this year’s convention—and yes, I know, depending on where you’re based, that travelling to Mackay might seem like an extra investment in time and money, but believe me, the return on this investment will be worth your effort. And keep reading to the end, because there’s a chance to win a full convention registration worth $1,500!
Challenges Facing Australia’s Regional Tourism Industry
Australia’s regional tourism industry has enormous potential, but it also faces several key challenges. From the ongoing need to attract visitors to remote regions, to ensuring that tourism businesses are sustainable and resilient, the road ahead is both exciting and demanding. Recent disruptions have made it clear that collaboration and innovation are key to long-term success.
The Australian Regional Tourism Convention addresses these challenges head-on with a program designed to equip tourism professionals with the tools, strategies, and partnerships needed to overcome hurdles and seize new opportunities. Whether your goal is to drive more visitors to your destination, develop sustainable tourism practices, or network with industry experts, this convention has something for you.
Reason 1: A Curated Program Packed with Value
The convention’s carefully curated program is one of the most compelling reasons to attend. With sessions covering everything from crisis management to the future of regenerative tourism, the program is designed to offer practical, real-world insights that you can apply directly to your destination.
One of the most compelling reasons to attend the Australian Regional Tourism Convention is the carefully curated program that combines strategic insights with practical, hands-on sessions. This year’s program is designed to offer real-world, actionable advice that you can immediately apply to elevate your regional destination.
Beyond the invaluable industry updates from leaders like Grant Ferres on the THRIVE 2030 framework and Mark Olsen on crisis management, the program also includes a series of digital marketing and technology-focused workshops that are a must for any modern marketer.
Join Hannah Statham, CEO of Media Mortar, for her session on creating engaging vertical video content, which is now crucial in capturing today’s audiences. If you’ve been struggling to produce professional-looking Instagram Reels or TikToks, this deeply practical session will teach you how to create thumb-stopping content using just your smartphone. By the end of Hannah’s workshop, you’ll walk away with your very own vertical video ready to post!
Next, Hamish Fell, Founder of Smarter Tourism Technology, will take us into the future of travel technology in his session How My Daughter Will Travel When She’s 20. Hamish’s session is a forward-thinking discussion about the rapid changes in tourism technology—from frictionless travel to AI-driven customer service—giving you a glimpse of how these innovations will impact regional tourism in the near future.
And of course, I’m excited to lead the ARTful Content workshop, where we’ll dive into AI-powered content creation. You’ll learn how to research, create, and publish optimized digital content with the help of AI, ensuring you stay ahead of the curve in tourism marketing.
The program is filled with expert speakers, hands-on workshops, and panel discussions tailored to the unique needs of regional tourism operators. Whether you’re focused on sustainability, digital transformation, or simply attracting more visitors, there’s a session for you. Find out more by viewing the full list of speakers and program details.
Reason 2: Exceptional Networking Opportunities
One of the most valuable aspects of the Australian Regional Tourism Convention is the incredible networking. This event brings together key decision-makers and industry leaders from across Australia, offering a rare opportunity to connect with peers, share experiences, and build partnerships that can boost your destination’s success.
During the convention, there will be plenty of opportunities to connect, from the Welcome Reception at Red Dog Brewery, where you can unwind and share ideas in a relaxed setting, to interactive sessions throughout the event.
The fact is, attending this convention means you can connect with industry experts in just three days, connections that would take months or even years to cultivate by flying around the country. Imagine having access to insights and advice from people like Patricia O’Callaghan, CEO of Tourism Events Queensland, and Peter Syme from Scotland, who will discuss the role of AI in destination management. It’s a unique chance to forge valuable relationships that could transform your destination.
Reason 3: Explore the Stunning Mackay Region
Finally, what better reason to attend the convention than the opportunity to explore one of Australia’s most beautiful regional destinations, Mackay? This stunning region has become a destination in its own right, thanks to its commitment to sustainability, strategic tourism planning, and community engagement. By attending the convention, you’ll not only experience the region’s attractions first-hand but also gain valuable insights into how Mackay has developed a thriving tourism economy.
Yes, depending where you’re coming from, travelling to Mackay may involve a little extra effort, and you might be thinking about the cost of flights and accommodation. But here’s the thing: the connections, knowledge, and inspiration you’ll gain over these three days are worth far more than the initial investment. In fact, attending this event means you won’t need to travel around the country all year to meet with the experts and peers that will be gathered in Mackay. The time and effort you save, and the concentrated access to industry leaders, make this opportunity invaluable.
Opportunity to Win a Ticket to Mackay: Don’t Miss Out
If you’re serious about taking your future regional tourism strategies in the next twelve months and beyond, the Australian Regional Tourism Convention in Mackay is an event you don’t want to miss. From the program’s expert insights to the valuable networking and the chance to explore a thriving regional destination, this convention has it all.
And here’s an exciting bonus: I’m giving away a full convention registration worth $1,500! Suppose you can get yourself to Mackay and cover accommodation. In that case, you’ll have the opportunity to attend all the sessions, enjoy coffee catch-ups with me, brainstorm new ideas, and dive into social media collaborations. All you need to do is submit a short video introducing yourself and explaining:
- What you love most about the Australian regional tourism industry
- Why you’d like to join me at the convention
- How this opportunity will benefit you and your region
Submit your video by midnight on World Tourism Day, this Friday, September 27, for your chance to win. This is an incredible opportunity to be part of one of the biggest tourism events of the year, so don’t miss out! Ready to join me and Australia’s top tourism leaders in Mackay?
Any questions, never hesitate to reach out and if you are already joining us, let’s make this ARTN Convention one to remember!
