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Important Speaker Information

2017 Delegate List

Day 1: Monday, 27 November

7:30am

Registration Opens

Plenary Session (Attenborough Room, SAZ)
8:20am - 8:40am

Welcome to Country

Join representatives from the Kaurna people, Traditional Custodians of the Adelaide Plains for the delegates Welcome to Country. This will be held outdoors in Zoo forecourt (directly outside the Sanctuary Conference venue).

8:40am - 8:45am

Convenor Welcome

Tony Charters AM, Convenor, Global Eco Asia-Pacific Tourism Conference

Presentation

8:45am - 8:50am

Ecotourism Australia Welcome

Rick Murray, Chairman, Ecotourism Australia

8:50am - 9:00am

Official Welcome

The Hon Ian Keith Hunter MLC, Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation, Minister for Water and the River Murray, Minister for Climate Change

Ecotourism and Private Conservation
Session Chair

Tony Charters AM, Convenor, Global Eco Conference

9:00am - 9:25am

Keynote Speaker

Atticus Fleming, Chief Executive, Australian Wildlife Conservancy

Presentation

9:25am - 9:50am

Keynote Speaker

Brendon Bevan, Manager, Arkaba Conservancy and The Arkaba Walk

Presentation

Ecotourism Australia Report
9:50am - 10:15am

Keynote Speaker

Rod Hillman, Chief Executive, Ecotourism Australia

Presentation

10:15am - 10:30am

Q & A

10:30am - 11:00am

Morning Tea

Tourism and The Chinese Dream
Session Chair

Tony Charters AM, Convenor, Global Eco Conference

11:00am - 11:25am

Keynote Speaker

Prof. David Simmons, Professor of Tourism, Faculty of Environment, Society and Design, Lincoln University

Presentation

Tourism in Protected Areas
Session Chair

Tony Charters AM, Convenor, Global Eco Conference

11:25am - 11:50am

Keynote Speaker

Dr. Russell Reichelt, Chairman and CEO, Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority

Presentation

11:50am - 12:15pm

Keynote Speaker

Cameron Miller, CEO, Ngurratjuta/Pmara Ntjarra Aboriginal Corporation

Presentation

12:15pm - 12:30pm

Q & A

12:30pm - 1:30pm

Lunch

Tourism and Protected Area Management Forum
Session Chair

Tony Charters AM, Convenor, Global Eco Conference

1:30pm - 1:55pm

Keynote Speaker

Sandy Pitcher, Chief Executive DEWNR, South Australia

Presentation

1:55pm - 2:20pm

Keynote Speaker

Haydyn Bromley, Presiding Member, Aboriginal Lands Trust

Presentation

Forum - Protected Area Managers and Tourism Commissions
Session Chair

Sandy Pitcher, Chief Executive DEWNR, South Australia

2:20pm - 3:00pm

Keynote Panelists

  • Chris Day, Director, Central Australian Parks, Parks and Wildlife
  • Matthew Jackson, CEO, Parks Victoria
  • Jacinta Overman, Coordinator, Tourism and Concessions, Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions
  • Russel Reichelt, Chairman and CEO, Great Barrier Reff Marine Park Authority
  • Andrew Walsh, Project Manager, Lord Howe Island Board
3:00pm - 3:30pm

Afternoon Tea

Wildlife and Ecotourism
Session Chair

Dr. Claire Ellis, Deputy Chair, Ecotourism Australia

3:30pm - 3:55pm

Keynote Speaker

Dr. Jenny Gray, CEO of Zoos Victoria and President of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums

Presentation

3:55pm - 4:20pm

Keynote Speaker

Elaine Bensted, Chief Executive, Zoos South Australia

Presentation

4:20pm - 5:00pm

Panel Discussion - Wildlife Interactions

Keynote Panelists:

5:30pm - 6:30pm

Welcome Cocktail Reception

Government House

Day 2: Tuesday, 28 November

7:30am

Registration Opens

Plenary Session (Attenborough Room, SAZ)
Community Ecotourism and Social License
Session Chair

Tony Charters AM, Convenor, Global Eco Conference

8:30am - 8:50am

Keynote Speakers

Alfred Wellington, Chief Executive Officer, Jerrinja Local Aboriginal Land Council and Delia Lowe, Deputy Chair, Jerrinja Local Aboriginal Land Council

Presentation

8:50am - 9:10am

Keynote Speaker

Joselito Costas, Tourism Officer, Department of Tourism, Cebu, Philippines

Presentation

9:10am - 9:30am

Keynote Speaker

Shu Tan, Founder & Director , Sapa O’Chau

9:30am - 9:50am

Keynote Speaker

Tourism in Sri Lanka: A Story of Untapped Potential

Rashmini Mather, Tourism Strategic Planner, Sri Lanka

Presentation

9:50am - 10:05am

Q & A

Ecotourism and Philanthropy
10:05am - 10:30am

Keynote Speaker

Andrew Fairley AM, Chairman, The Sir Andrew and Lady Fairley Foundation

Presentation

10:30am - 11:00am

Morning Tea

Ecotourism and Philanthropy
Session Chair

Andrew Fairley AM, Chairman, The Sir Andrew and Lady Fairley Foundation

11:00am - 11:20am

Keynote Speaker

Keith Sproule, Executive Director, Abercrombie & Kent

Presentation

Ecotourism and Philanthropy Panel
11:20am - 11:50am

Panel Discussion

Keynote Panelists:

Geotourism and the Chinese Market
Session Chair

Rod Hillman, Chief Executive, Ecotourism Australia

11:50am - 12:10pm

Keynote Speaker

Economic Impacts of Geotourism and Geoparks in China

Dr. Young Ng, Member, Geotourism Standing Committee of the Geological Society of Australia

Presentation

12:10pm - 12:30pm

Keynote Speaker

Ecotourism Industry in Hong Kong

Derek Tse, HK Traveller, Hong Kong

Presentation

12:30pm - 1:30pm

Lunch

Asia-Pacific Forum
Session Chair

Tony Charters AM, Convenor, Global Eco Conference

1:30pm - 1:55pm

Joselito Costas, Provincial Tourism Officer, Cebu Provincial Government

1:55pm - 2:20pm

Keynote Speaker

Creating Sustainable Hospitality: best case practices from Jetwing Hotels

Hiran Cooray, Owner, Jetwing

Presentation

2:20pm - 2:45pm

Keynote Speaker

Sustainable Tourism Development through Community-Based Approach

Dr. Chuwit Mitrchob, Deputy Director-General, Designated Areas for Sustainable Tourism Administration

Presentation

2:45pm - 3:00pm

Q & A

3:00pm - 3:30pm

Afternoon Tea

Innovation and Ecotourism Futures
Session Chair

Tony Charters AM, Convenor, Global Eco Conference

3:30pm - 3:55pm

Keynote Speaker

Anthea Hammon, Managing Director, Scenic World

Presentation

3:55pm - 4:20pm

Keynote Speaker

Eco Tourism: what about your boats?

Joep Koster, Managing Partner, Soel Yachts

Introduced by Keynote Sponsor Karl Plunkett of Eco Structures Australia

Presentation

4:20pm - 4:45pm

Keynote Speaker

Keith Sproule, Executive Director, Abercrombie & Kent

Presentation

4:45pm - 5:00pm

Q & A

5:00pm

Announcement of the 2018 Conference Host & Conference Close

Rick Murray, Chairman, Ecotourism Australia

7:00pm - 10:30pm

Conference Dinner

Ayers House (optional function)

Day 3: Wednesday, 29 November

Morning Workshops
Choose to attend one of the four morning workshops
Geotourism (8:30am - 12:30pm)
Location

Goodall Room

Description

Outstanding geological landscapes underpin so much of our tourism industry and the interest in Geotourism worldwide is growing. Geotourism features unique geological formations and as such opens up opportunities for destinations to integrate these natural wonders into high value tours experiences. Australia, with its ancient lands and diverse geology is well placed to develop this sector and to learn from other countries that have been quick to recognise the potential of geotourism.

Chair: Angus M. Robinson, Founding Member, Geotourism Forum, Ecotourism Australia

8:30am - 8:50am

Bathe the World: creating global connections through natural hot springs

Charles Davidson, CEO & Founder, Peninsula Hot Springs

Presentation

8:50am - 9:10am

Chinese Geotourism and Geoparks: selected cases

Dr. Ng Young, Member, Geotourism Standing Committee of the Geological Society of Australia

Presentation

9:10am - 9:30am

Time Travelling in South Australia: developing opportunities for regional fossil tourism and education

Dr. Liz Reed, Research Fellow, The University of Adelaide

Co-presenter: Prof. Sandy Steacy, Deputy Executive Dean, Faculty of Sciences, The University of Adelaide

Presentation

9:30am - 9:50am

A Beehive Balancing Act for Eco-tourism in the Bungle Bungles

Dennis Williamson, Committee member, Purnululu World Heritage Area Advisory Committee

Presentation

9:50am - 10:30am

Discussion

10:30am - 11:00am

Morning Tea

11:00am - 11:20am

Geotourism, Ecotourism and Regional Development: challenges and opportunities

Angus M Robinson, Managing Partner, Leisure Solutions® and Founding Member, Geotourism Forum, Ecotourism Australia

Presentation

11:20am - 11:40am

Driving Rural Recovery with Geotourism in the Wheatbelt of Western Australia

Alan Briggs, PhD Candidate, Murdoch University

Presentation

11:40am - 12:00pm

Geoheritage, Geotourism, Geotrails and a South Australian Songline

Ian D. Lewis and Angus M. Robinson, Geotourism Standing Committee, Geological Society of Australia

Presentation

12:00pm - 12:30pm

Discussion

12:30pm - 1:30pm

Lunch

Building and Marketing Ecotourism Experiences (9:00am - 12:30pm)
Location

Attenborough East Room

Description

Experience is at the centre of ecotourism and as travellers become more independent their desire for high quality experiences increases. How can operators enhance the experience levels they are offering? What are the best tools and approaches to market experiences? How are the differing markets perceiving quality experiences? This workshop will explore these critical questions and present case studies that demonstrate successful techniques and lessons learnt.

Chair: Dr. Claire Ellis, Deputy Chair, Ecotourism Australia

9:00am - 9:20am

Niue’s Approach to Development through Sustainable Tourism

Janet Mackay, Director, TRC Tourism

Presentation

9:20am - 9:40am

Storyvolution: transforming as nature storytellers

Nicholas Bishop, Nature Theatre Manager, Zoos South Australia

9:40am - 10:00am

How Ecotourism Accreditation Can Help You Gain Market Share

Claire Sim, Global Partnership Manager, South Australian Tourism Commission

Presentation

10:00am - 10:30am

Discussion

10:30am - 11:00am

Morning Tea

11:00am - 11:20am

Rewarding Outstanding Tour Guides

Russell Boswell, Manager, Savannah Guides

Presentation

11:20am - 11:40am

Marketing Nature and Culture to Young Adults

Julie Bishop, Director, Visitor Experience Branch, NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service

11:40am - 12:00pm

Think Global, Act Local: applying megatrends in tourism to your destination or business

Charlotte Prouse, Partner, Destination Marketing Store

12:00pm - 12:30pm

Discussion

12:30pm - 1:30pm

Lunch

Indigenous Ecotourism (9:00am - 12:30pm)
Location

Attenborough West Room

Description

Indigenous ecotourism goes to the heart of the ecotourism itself - authentic experiences, presented in a way that is acceptable to the caretakers of the culture. The link between land, waters and culture. The sustainable management of these resources. Indigenous ecotourism provides economic opportunities for indigenous communities. Issues such as scale, capacity, start-up funding and intellectual property are key considerations.

Chair: Clare Caroll, CEO, Cooee Traveller

9:00am - 9:20am

Barry Weare, Director of Operations Cooee Traveller and Deputy GM at Wilpena Pound Resort

Presentation

9:20am - 9:40am

Strong People, Strong Community: co-management of parks in South Australia

Adrian Marshall, Coordinator, Co-Management and Native Title, Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources

Co-presenter: Quenten Agius, Owner/Operator, Aboriginal Cultural Tours

9:40am - 10:00am

Camping with Custodians: more than a campground

Renata Lowe, Director, Destination Development and Projects, Western Australia Tourism

Presentation

10:00am - 10:30am

Discussion

10:30am - 11:00am

Morning Tea

11:00am - 11:20am

Karri-djarrkdurrkmirri (Working Together) Best Practice Supporting Indigenous Tourism in Protected Areas

Tracey Diddams, Head Writer, Trace Writing

Presentation

11:20am - 11:40am

Pauline MacKenzie, Director of Ikara Wilpena Enterprises, Traditional Owner, Director of Adnyamathanha Traditional LAnds Association

11:40am - 12:30pm

Dicussion

12:30pm - 1:30pm

Lunch

Tourism in Protected Areas (9:00am - 12:30pm)
Location

Santos Conservation Centre

Description

Protected areas play a fundamental role in the ecotourism industry. Inceasingly ecotourism is contributing to conservation directly through revenue generation and indirectly through interpretation and the presentation of natural and cultural heritage values to travellers. This workshop will examine case studies and discuss direction for the future to optimise the benefits of tourism in protected areas.

Chair: Rick Murray, Chairman, Ecotourism Australia

9:00am - 9:20am

Parkapiki: connecting people to their local parks and community

Chris Thomas, Program Manager, Parks and Partnerships, Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources

Co-presenter: Neil Mackenzie, General Manager, Enventive

Presentation

9:20am - 9:40am

Marine Parks, Marine Experiences

Dr. Liz Barnett, Strategy and Funding Coordinator, Marine Parks, Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources

Presentation

9:40am - 10:00am

Rewilding Yorke Peninsula: linking biodiversity conservation and ecotourism

Dr. Andy Sharp, Landscape Programs Coordinator, Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources

Co-presenter: Brooke Liebelt, Tourism Manager Yorke Peninsula

Presentation

10:00am - 10:30am

Discussion

10:30am - 11:00am

Morning Tea

11:00am - 11:20am

Release of South Australia’s Nature-Based Tourism: new business opportunities package

Barry Hayden, Coordinator, Protected Area Management, Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources

Presentation

11:20am - 11:40am

Mainstream Eco Tourism: are we pushing the right buttons? Insights from Environmental Ethics

Dr. Noreen Breakey, Lecturer in Tourism, UQ Business School, The University of Queensland

Presentation

11:40am - 12:00pm

30 Years of Managing the Delicate Balance between a Growing Ecotourism Industry in a Protected Area

Melanie Stonnill, Senior Guide, Seal Bay, Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources

Co-presenters: Alana Binns, Site Manager, Seal Bay Conservation Park

Tanya Rosewarne, Senior Guide, Seal Bay Conservation Park

Presentation

12:00pm - 12:30pm

Discussion

12:30pm - 1:30pm

Lunch

Afternoon Workshops
Choose to attend one of the four afternoon workshops
Community Involvement & Strategic Partnerships (1:30pm - 5:00pm)
Location

Attenborough East Room

Description

Strategic partnerships and innovative collaborations create widespread opportunities for the tourism industry, communities and conservation. Partnerships seek mutual benefits and winning outcomes for all involved. How are these developed, what procedures can protect the environment, and what are the community and business benefits?

This workshop will discuss the opportunities available for partnerships in the ecotourism sector. Partnership professionals will give an expert insight into the strategies for establishing, managing, and ensuring the longevity of collaborations in tourism. Presentations will include examples of policy that facilitate partnerships; case studies of success; innovative programs involving multiple partners; international and cross-destination partnerships.

Chair: Innes Larkin, Owner, Mt Barney Lodge

1:30pm - 1:50pm

Are Ecotourism Businesses the Social Change Leaders for a Better World?

Innes Larkin, Owner, Mt Barney Lodge

Presentation

1:50pm - 2:10pm

The Larapinta Trail: delivering significant regional tourism benefits through planning, partnerships and strategic investment

Stuart Ord, Director, Tourism NT

Co-presenter: Chris Day, Director, Central Australian Parks

Presentation

2:10pm - 2:30pm

Developing Industry/University Partnerships to Support Science Based Ecotourism

Prof. Sandy Steacy, Deputy Executive Dean, Faculty of Sciences, The University of Adelaide

Co-presenter: Dr. Liz Reed, Research Fellow, The University of Adelaide

Presentation

2:30pm - 3:00pm

Discussion

3:00pm - 3:30pm

Afternoon Tea

3:30pm - 3:50pm

A Pathway to Stewardship: stepping into a sustainable future

Randall Owens, Manager, Reef Guardian Fishers and Recreation, Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority

Presentation

3:50pm - 4:10pm

Duncan MacKenzie, Chairman, BirdLife Australia Gluepot Reserve

Presentation

4:10pm - 4:30pm

Trina Sheperd, Executive Officer, Lord Howe Island Tourism Association

Presentation

4:30pm - 5:00pm

Discussion

5:00pm - 7:30pm

Closing Networking Function

(optional event)

Destination Planning & Development (1:30pm - 5:00pm)
Location

Attenborough West Room

Description

This forum will focus on how destinations are integrating ecotourism into sustainable destination. This workshop will highlight successful case studies and initiatives from both Australia and overseas. Topics such as destination planning, sustainability policy and product development, the place of certification for products and guides; and skills development will be covered in this workshop.

Chair: Rod Hillman, CEO, Ecotourism Australia

1:30pm - 1:50pm

Transforming Urban and Regional Tourism through Cultural Heritage Experience Development

Sueanne Carr, Partner, Customer Frame

Presentation

1:50pm - 2:10pm

A New Tourism Offering for Seychelles

Matthew Flynn, Design Director, VIDA Planners & Landscape Architects

2:10pm - 2:30pm

Bespoke Superpod Tourism with Low Power Demands Spells “Eco”

Fiona McKenzie, Director, Superpod Pty Ltd

Presentation

2:30pm - 3:00pm

Discussion

3:00pm - 3:30pm

Afternoon Tea

3:30pm - 3:50pm

Dean Bagley, Kangaroo Island Odysseys

3:50pm - 4:10pm

Tourism Architecture for Unique Places

Scott Verdouw, Director, JAWS Architects

Co-presenter: Nicholas Terry, JAWS Architects

Presentation

4:10pm - 4:30pm

West to East: ecotourism across global cultures - lessons for Australian tourism operators

Matt Sykes, Director, Mattsykes.co

Presentation

4:30pm - 5:00pm

Discussion

5:00pm - 7:30pm

Closing Networking Function

(optional event)

Ecotourism Operators - Raising the Bar – and why it is worth it (1:30pm - 5:00pm)
Location

Santos Conservation Centre

Description

This workshop brings together leading South Australian ecotourism operators who will provide real and practical accounts of their journey of ongoing improvement in the delivery of ecotourism experiences. Hear from 2017 SA Tourism Award – Ecotourism category finalists and their industry and government partners. Join the conversation about how others are dealing with some of the very same and some unique issues and opportunities. New technology, new marketing approaches and emerging trends will be covered. The session will be dynamic with a mix of products, key markets, product development and human resource management topics.

Chair: Shaun deBruyn, General Manager, South Australian Tourism Industry Council

1:30pm - 1:50pm

Shaun deBruyn, General Manager, South Australian Tourism Industry Council

Presentation

1:50pm - 3:00pm

Panel Discussion

South Australian Tourism Awards - ecotourism category finalists share their tourism journey and focus on ecotourism

Panelists

  • Tony Sharley, The Murray River Walk (Winner - Gold Award)
  • Alana Binns, Site Manager, Department of Environment Water and Natural Resources, Seal Bay (Silver Award)
  • Cherie Gerlack, Australian Arid Lands Botanic Garden (Bronze Award)
  • Brenton Carle, Owner and Tour Guide, Canoe the Coorong
  • Donna Pywell, Seller Door Manager, Kalleske Wines
3:00pm - 3:30pm

Afternoon Tea

3:30pm - 3:50pm

Eco Structures Australia : ‘building for the future’

Karl Plunkett, Director & Owner, Eco Structures Australia

Presentation

3:50pm - 4:10pm

Yondah Beach House Case Study

Michele Bain, Owner, Yondah Beach House

Presentation

4:10pm - 4:30pm

Colin Anderson, General Manager, Kingfisher Bay Resourt Group

Presentation

4:30pm - 5:00pm

Discussion

5:00pm - 7:30pm

Closing Networking Function

(optional event)

Ecotourism & Wildlife Interactions (1:30pm - 5:00pm)
Location

Goodall Room

Description

Wildlife is central to so many ecotourism experiences globally but the way it is managed varies greatly across the globe. The involvement of wildlife in tourism raises ethical, protection and conservation issues. Ecotourism can be a powerful force for wildlife conservation. This workshop will explore case studies and best practices and open up debate and discussion across the broad spectrum of wildlife tourism.

Chair: Lizzie Corke, Chief Executive, Conservation Ecology Centre

1:30pm - 1:50pm

Of Mantas and People in Yap: challenges and opportunities for ecotourism in Micronesia

Jose Truda Palazzo, CEO, Truda Palazzo & Associates

1:50pm - 2:10pm

Putting the Potoroo Back in the Picture: ecotourism for conservation and community

Lizzie Corke, Chief Executive, Conservation Ecology Centre

Presentation

2:10pm - 2:30pm

Socially Responsible Urban and Regional Tourism: an ethical approach

Wayne Yorath, Sustainability Officer, Zoos South Australia

Presentation

2:30pm - 3:00pm

Discussion

3:00pm - 3:30pm

Afternoon Tea

3:30pm - 3:50pm

Cuttlefish Coast: a psychedelic side-show. A Government and Non-Government Partnership Creating a Visitor Experience like Nowhere Else

Jessica Wilson, Stewardship Coordinator, Marine Parks, Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources

Co-presenter: Carl Charter, Executive Officer, Experiencing Marine Sanctuaries

Presentation 1

Presentation 2

3:50pm - 4:10pm

Digitising the Traditional Zoo Experience

Hayden Zammit, Tourism Manager, Zoos South Australia

Presentation

4:10pm - 4:30pm

Science Supporting Tourism: an adaptive management framework for great white shark tours

Barry Hayden, Coordinator, Protected Area Management, Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources

Presentation

4:30pm - 5:00pm

Discussion

5:00pm - 7:30pm

Closing Networking Function

(optional event)