Pre-Summit Welcome Function

We're kicking off the Summit with a Welcome Function the night before! This is included with your Summit ticket and is a relaxed networking event on Tuesday 5 November from 5pm-6.30pm, with drinks and canapes provided. It's a great opportunity to connect with industry peers and build relationships ahead of the Summit. 

Summit Sessions

Learn about visitor experience from a wide range of experts in a variety of presentations at Tourism Summit Aotearoa on Wednesday 6 November at Cordis Auckland.

Industry Insights

Hear from industry leaders on the current landscape of tourism in Aotearoa along with their insights on visitor experience (VX) in a changing world.

• René de Monchy, Chief Executive, Tourism New Zealand - Growing year-round arrivals to New Zealand
• Annie Dundas, Director Destination, Tātaki Auckland Unlimited - The "destination" landscape for Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland
• Rebecca Ingram, CEO, Tourism Industry Aotearoa 
• Jeremy O'Brien, General Manager, International Airline, Air New Zealand
• Hon. Matt Doocey, Minister for Tourism and Hospitality

Inspiration Sessions

Be prepared to be wowed by this experienced and inspirational line-up of keynote speakers and panelists. 

• Turning visitors into raving brand fans
  Amanda Stevens
  
  Join one of Australia’s renowned thought-leaders on visitor experience and learn the new rules of destination marketing, how to engineer an epic visitor experience, and how to turn satisfied visitors into passionate advocates. 
  
  Amanda’s captivating storytelling, practical strategies and infectious energy will leave you buzzing with ideas and ready to take action.
  
  
• How technology and changing demographics are reimagining social experiences 
  Frances Valintine CNZM - Founder & Board Director, academyEX 
  
  From the early days of the first websites to deeply immersive shared digital experiences, the way people embrace social interaction has become more personalised, connected and likely to be judged by others. These shifts, combined with the rise of the conscious consumer, the circular economy, slow consumption and the desire for authentic experiences, have made it even harder to know where to invest hard-earned investment dollars. Frances will open the Panadora'sBox of Tourism in 2024 and beyond, as experiences become an extension of self, personal values and social identity.
  
  
• Panel Discussion: How business leaders are thinking about their VX strategy in a changing world

Join us for an engaging panel discussion and hear from industry business leaders on how they’re navigating the evolving landscape of visitor experience (VX). Gain valuable perspectives and takeaways that can enhance your own VX strategy.  

Panelists include: 

• Nigel Hobbs, Co-Founder and Managing Director, Tourism Innovation Group (TIG) 
• Geoff McDonald, CEO, Skyline Enterprises 
• Penny Nelson, Director General, Department of Conservation  

If time permits, there will be the opportunity for Q&A.

Focus Sessions

Take a deeper dive into key topics and leave your chosen Focus Sessions feeling inspired and ready to take action after the Summit. 

• Drive growth and resilience through strong governance 
  
  Good governance goes beyond simply having a board—it's a whole-of-organisation practice that drives success at every level. It requires strong leadership, robust systems, a culture of accountability and shared values, active stakeholder engagement, and a long-term commitment to sustainability and adaptability. True governance empowers everyone in the organisation to work together toward common goals with transparency, responsibility, and effectiveness. This is what transforms governance into a powerful driver of growth and resilience 
  
  Join us to learn the key principles of strong governance and hear from our expert panelists, who will offer practical insights into how good governance from small to large businesses can drive productivity and growth.
  
  Panelists include: 
  • Jason Hill, Managing Director, Tourism Talent (Host) 
  • Dame Kerry Prendergast, Chair of TIA Board 
  • Kirsten Patterson, CE, Institute of Directors 
  • Grant Lilly, Chair of Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools and Spa, and Rainbows End
  • Tim Alpe, Managing Director, Lylo
    
    

• Visitor experience design 
  Brad Rowe, TourismxDesign 
  
  

  Smart tourism leaders know that a great visitor experience is tied to the success of their business. But have you ever been taught how experience design really works?  
  
  Better-than-the-rest visitor experiences rarely happen by chance. They are often carefully architected using key principles that can be applied to any business.  
  
  In this session, Brad will explore the essential principles of visitor experience design. 
  
  Key topics will include identifying and enhancing memorable moments, integrating emotional connections to boost visitor satisfaction, and employing innovative, unconventional thinking to elevate visitor experiences.  
  
  This interactive session will provide practical strategies that can be implemented in your business, offering actionable insights without the need for big budgets.
  
  

• Inclusive Tourism: The value of creating greater experiences for accessibility and LGBTQ+ visitors 
  
  

  Join leading inclusion experts Emily Steel from Be.Lab and Martin King from Pride Pledge for an informative session exploring the value of both the access visitor and the LGBTQ+ visitor. Discover why these markets matter, and the potential they offer and leave with practical tips on creating an inclusive visitor experience. 
  
  There will be an opportunity for Q&A during this session.
  
  

• Unlocking tourism data to exceed visitor expectations
  
  This dynamic 40-minute session with Ishita Mendonsa from Tourism New Zealand and local tourism insights specialist, Tristan Adams from Vistr, will showcase how we gather and utilise insights relating to visitor experience and market performance that are readily available in the tourism sector. Key takeaways include understanding key data sources and where it can be accessed, learning how to interpret and apply insights to enhance visitor experiences and improve business performance, and boosting data literacy among SME operators. This session hopes to empower you to leverage data effectively to optimise operations and deliver the best possible visitor experience.
  
  
• Finding the opportunity in a changing world - James Shaw

Summit Talks

10-minute, TEDx-style presentations by industry leaders designed to inspire and ignite fresh ideas, share insights, innovations and stories.

• Nicola Nation, CEO, Ākina
  
  The power of impact: how understanding your impact can grow your business and enhance your visitor experience. 

• Toko Kapea, CEO, Pounamu Pathway
  
  Discover the magic of the newly opened Pounamu Pathway - an immersive storytelling experience. With their creative partner, Wētā Workshop, they bring cultural experiences to life through digital and immersive technology that is fun, surprising, creative, and utterly unique to the West Coast/Te Tai o Poutini.

• Will Cannon, Experience Supervisor, Wētā Workshop Unleashed
  
  By 2025 Gen Z’s will represent 25% of our workforce. YoungTEC’s 2024 Rising Star, Will Cannon, will share his secrets to successfully engaging and harnessing the full potential of your Gen Z employees.