Preparations for the annual Tourism Export Council Conference 20 -23 August 2013 in Masterton are well underway with the Destination Wairarapa team keen to make it as memorable as possible. The line up of speakers are confirmed and we are excited to present:
Jim Boult giving a NZ Airports report; Chris Flynn from PATA and this year talking about new emerging markets of Russia and Latin America; Pania Tyson-Nathan from NZ Maori Tourism re progress with Maori operators and working with other export sectors offshore; Sarah Bennett from Lonely Planet discussing how and why Lonely Planet has survived the digital age as the number one travel guide and Gina Paladini from Tomahawk who will advise latest social media news and working with traditional and online distributors in today’s environment. The Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism Hon. John Key will be speaking ahead of MBIE, Martin Snedden TIA followed by Kevin Bowler TNZ, and the market updates from the regional managers – Tony Everitt (Asia), Gregg Anderson (Western Markets) and Tim Burgess (Australia). To finish the conference plenary session we have the inspirational Justine Troy, founder of 42 Below.
A panel discussion will be held re “tourism and the environment – what do we need to do to protect our greatest natural asset for the growth of tourism in the future?” Delegates will be sent more information about this session, closer to the conference.
The Destination Wairarapa hosted evening on Tue 20 August will be at the George Hood Aviation Centre with the opportunity to meet with local tourism operators. Wednesday evening is a sit down dinner for the “operator of the year awards’ with entertainment provided by the famed kiwi icon band, the Warratahs. After a full day of plenary speakers on Thu 22, what better way to unwind than with our themed evening function hosted at Tui HQ, Mangatainoka? If you have always wanted to visit Managatainoka, don’t miss this opportunity – guaranteed to be memorable! Remember the theme for dress is “if I wasn’t in tourism, I’d be a….”