GOA Conference Speakers
GOA brought together a range of speakers to inform, discuss, share with and inspire delegates attending the GOA Inaugural Conference. They were all extremly knowledgeable and have enlighten us with new insights and information. Some very thought provoking moments were experienced by all and at times fired us up to raise an industry voice seeking support and direction on how we can implement systems to ensure quality tour guiding practices. GOA will be working hard to ensure that voice remains strong and audible!
To all our speakers a big thank you for your time and participation.
Key Note Speakers
Dr Peter Tucker
General Manager, Industry Sustainability Group Department of Resources,
Energy and Tourism
Peter is responsible for leading the development of policy in areas such as tourism quality, accreditation, business events, business continuity planning, labour and skills, oversight of Tourism Australia, and implementation of the Approved Destination Status scheme and the Australian Tourism Development Program. During his 24 years with the Australian Public Service Peter has been involved in policy and program delivery for science, technology, intellectual property, small business and tourism.
Dr Darrian Collins is currently Principal Research Officer
(Surveys) at Tourism Research Australia (TRA). Her responsibilities include
assisting in the management of the Destination Visitor Surveys program and
conducting strategic research and analysis on the survey results.
Prior to this, Darrian spent four years as Principal Analyst at TRA where
she undertook research into the travel itineraries of visitors and the
demand for indigenous and wine and food tourism in Australia , as well as
modelling visitor expenditure for regional and local government areas.
Darrian co-authored TRA's significant reports on the domestic market
including the most recent, 'Through the looking glass: The future of
domestic tourism in Australia'.
Don Jolly has established a successful Australian based management and marketing consultancy practice, Global Tourism Solutions (GTS) formerly Don Jolly & Associates. GTS specializes in the tourism, travel and leisure industry providing a range of consulting services including professional development seminars and workshops in marketing, sales and communications. His unique combination of marketplace savvy, theoretical know-how and presentation skills serves as a powerful catalyst in motivating and stimulating sales, marketing and management teams to work smarter and harder. www.donjollyassoc.com
Miss Helena Remeo - Ministry of Tourism Malaysia
Mr. Lim Choo Sim - Malaysian Tourist Guide Council
Matthew Denehy has been in the insurance industry since he left school at 16 and has run Eagle Insurance Brokers since 2000. He has held many development and managment positions with several company since he started in the industry in 1988. Matthew previously sat on the Board of IBNA Limited a national marketing and wholesaling company that assist 82 insurance brokers around Australia. He holds a Diploma from Australian Insurance Institute and is a Senior Associate of the Australian New Zealand Institute of Insurance & Finance. He also hold a Diploma Financial Services and is a Qualified Practicing Insurance Broker and a Certified Insurance Professional www.eagleinsurance.com.au
Elective Session Speakers
Sammy Ringer is the Editor, Australian Bushfoods magazine. After more than 20 years in the advertising and television industry, Sammy underwent a tree-change moment in the early nineties and moved from Sydney to the beautiful hinterland town of Maleny. Her interest in bushfoods started at this time and, finding there was very little information readily available, she launched Australian Bushfoods magazine. This magazine is now on-line only at www.ausbushfoods.com . Sammy will be accompanied by Beverly Hand who will provide insight into the tradtional indigenous aspects of bushfoods.
Danielle Lancaster studied photography at Griffith University, Brisbane Queensland after leaving a career in nursing and has been working as freelance Photographer and Journalist for twenty-five years. Danielle has continued to further her career working for numerous corporate, government and private sectors both nationally and internationally as well as lecturing in photography and promotion. Danielle's work appears regularly in: l RM Williams Outback Magazine/ Travel Guide/Utes Annual l RACQ - Road Ahead l 4x4 Australia l Go Camping l Courier Mail and Sunday Mail l Rural Press l Australian Traveller. www.blue-dog.com.au
Geoff Trappett is a disability sector consultant that focuses on building awareness of the issues of people with a disability and providing real strategies to include them fully in society. As a former Gold Medal winning Paralympic athlete Geoff knows very well how crucial it is to surround himself with expert advice and looks to provide this to the community on all aspects of the disability sector."
Peter Wagner set off for London after taking his B.A. from the University of Queensland, and spent two years at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. Returning to Australia, he spent twenty years as a freelance actor and stage director in theatre, television and radio, before totally changing focus. Peter Wagner has been a tour manager for almost thirty years. Early experience over three years with Australian clients in the Americas and the Orient led to a twelve-year period in Europe. Returning to Australia, he concentrated on the local scene, qualifying as a tourist guide and handling tours of Australia and New Zealand.
Doug Miller, of the Australian Taxation Office, since 1998 has been supporting small business clients, industry associations and tax professionals to meet their taxation obligations t hrough leveraging technical innovation, education and communication, and relationship management . Doug is part of a communication and education team that presents seminars and workshops on various taxation topics. Since 2000 that team has concentrated on the delivery of seminars and workshops on tax reform matters and how the changes interact with existing legislation.
Ian Nicolson commenced as CEO of Service Skills Victoria in July 2005. In addition to industry training advice,Ian's role encompasses management of the Tourism Accreditation Board of Victoria and the Victorian Food Industry Training Board. He is a member of Minister Ferguson's National Tourism Accreditation Framework Working Party as well as the industry based steering Committee for Victoria's Tourism Excellence Strategy and the Industry Reference Group for the Victorian Tourism Awards. Ian has recently been a key player in the development of the Australian Tourism Accreditation Program, an on-line tourism accreditation program that has brought together the various state and territory based 'generic' programs and is soon to merge with the national 'Camping with Confidence' program operated by the Australian Camping Association.
Please note Simon Westcott was engaged to speak at the GOA conference but is now regretfully uanble to. We aplogise for any dissappointment this has created. GOA wish Simon a speedy recovery.