Tourism Australia — Executive General Manager, Corporate Affairs, Government and Industry

Ananas Consulting — Managing Director

Michael Smith, Managing Director of Ananas Consulting, brings over 25 years of experience in management and leadership within global hotel companies. Known for his entrepreneurial flair and financial acumen, Michael excels in building strong relationships with clients, employees, and industry leaders. His passion for creating unparalleled experiences for all stakeholders is evident in his commitment to excellence and delivering exceptional results. At Ananas Consulting, Michael leverages his extensive expertise to oversee projects meticulously, driving success and growth in the hospitality industry.

Trilogy Hotels — Chief Commercial Officer

Accor Plus — CEO

Renae Trimble, a seasoned professional in the hospitality industry, was appointed CEO of Accor Plus, Asia Pacific, in February 2023. With a remarkable career spanning over 25 years, Renae has dedicated over 15 years of her expertise to Accor, showcasing a deep understanding of the company's operations and values.

In her role as CEO, Renae is responsible for overseeing the growth and development of Accor Plus across Asia Pacific, ensuring the programme continues to provide valuable benefits and experiences for its 435,000 members. Spanning more than 20 countries and including more than 1,000 participating hotels, the Accor Plus loyalty programme is designed to give members access to incredible experiences, bonus night stays, and discounted dining and accommodation options, wherever they travel across the Asia Pacific region.

Before taking on the CEO position of Accor Plus, Renae spent 5 years leading the Commercial Division for Accor Pacific where she was charged with driving commercial performance, strategy, loyalty, distribution and revenue for the hotel group. Prior to this,
Renae held numerous senior executive roles at Accor, in regional operations and with Accor’s central team – including Sales, Loyalty, Digital and Marketing.

During her time at Accor, Renae played an integral role in two major acquisition integrations during her time at Accor Hotels – with the integration of Mirvac in 2012 and Mantra in 2019. In addition, Renae led the launch of Accor’s leading lifestyle loyalty programme, ALL (Accor Live Limitless), which provides members with incredible experiences that go beyond the hotel stay and enable them to enjoy experiences, encounters and events that money simply can’t buy.

Trip.com — Head of Oceania

Park Hyatt Sydney — Director of Revenue Management

TikTok — Client Partner

Accor — Director of Revenue - Apartments and Realty

Lynn is currently Director of Revenue for Accor, working with A&R. She has been with Accor/ Mantra since 2016, during this time she has overseen properties across the country including 4 years looking after WA.

Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel Sydney — Hotel Manager

Owsin is a seasoned hotel professional with over 32 years’ experience primarily in F&B and is currently the Hotel Manager at the Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel Sydney. He has worked across two Globally recognised hotel chains in Asia- Pacific besides the Radisson Hotel Group he has worked with the various hotels within the Taj Group of hotels. During his career in F&B he has launched restaurants in the hotel environment, initiated concepts in pre-openings and managed the big Indian weddings.Oswin has been a guest lecturer at hospitality institutes and was the Chairperson of the industry advisory committee at the Kenvale college. He is currently a part of the industry group contributing towards developing the new Cert III in Tourism (Visitor Economy) for Tafe NSW in conjunction with NSW department of education initiative of its “Launch Your Career” project.

Lylo — Managing Director

Salter Brothers Hospitality — Portfolio Manager

Wesley has almost 20 years’ experience in the hotels sectors, with extensive experience working in locations across Australia and throughout the Pacific Region.

Wesley commenced with Salter Brothers in 2022 as a Senior Manager within the Capital Transactions team, transitioning into the Portfolio Manager for the Retreat Fund which includes 13 boutique luxury assets located in Queensland, NSW and SA. Prior to joining Salter Brothers, Wesley had 2 years with Elanor as the Director of Investment for the Hotels and Tourism Group and 14 years at CBRE where he was the National Director of the Hotels Valuation business.

ACI HR Solutions — Founder & CEO

Andrew Chan, MBA is the Founder and CEO of ACI HR Solutions ( Asia Pacific's largest recruitment agency dedicated to the travel and hospitality sector He is responsible for the company's overall operations and strategic direction. He has worked in many facets of the industry, commencing his career as a Travel Agent in
Australia and subsequently joining the airline industry, working with Cathay Pacific Airways and Singapore Airlines in customer service and business development roles.

Andrew furthered his experience by entering the hospitality sector, working for brands such as Stamford Hotels Resorts and the Carlton Hotel Group, and later joining Hospitality Marketing Concepts ( as their Director of Business Development, overseeing all sales and marketing activities in Australia, New Zealand and Asia In 2005 Andrew took his wealth of industry experience into the world of Executive Search and was appointed CEO of a major recruitment firm before founding ACI in October 2012. He has since established himself as one of the leading human capital experts in the travel, tourism and hospitality sector.

Hotel Etico Australia — Co-Founder & CEO

Shiji Review Pro — Director of Sales Asia Pacific

As a Sales Director at Shiji Group, Avril’s passion is supporting the hospitality industry to deliver exceptional guest experiences. Responsible for developing the sales and growth of Shiji in Australia & New Zealand, Avril works with accommodation and tourism brands to help them gain and act upon the unique insights provided via ReviewPro’s Guest Experience Platform. Avril has more than 20 years experience in hospitality and travel in Australia and Europe, including strategic roles at TripAdvisor, Orbitz, and Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group.

Macquarie University + Centre for Applied Artificial Intelligence — Founder & Director

Prof. Dr. Amin Beheshti is a Full Professor of Data Science at Macquarie University, and Adjunct Professor of Computer Science at UNSW Sydney, Australia. Amin is the founder and director of the Centre for Applied Artificial Intelligence, the head of the Data Science Lab, and the founder of the Big Data Society at Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia. Amin completed his PhD and Postdoc in Computer Science and Engineering at UNSW Sydney, and holds a Master's and Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, both with First Class Honours. Before starting his PhD in 2009, Amin had over a decade of industry experience as a founder and CEO, consultant, and Solution Architect in national and international organizations. Alongside his teaching activities, Amin has made significant contributions to research projects and successfully secured 40+ research projects (Over $32 million in Research Funding). Amin received prestigious awards, including Excellence Award (Macquarie University, 2023), Excellence in Research Innovation, Partnership Entrepreneurship (Macquarie University, 2022), National Security Impact Award (D2D CRC, 2016 and 2017), Recognition Award (D2D CRC, 2016 and 2017), Australian Postgraduate Award (APA 2009-2012), and several Best Paper awards. In 2021, due to his outstanding performance, Amin was promoted from Senior Lecturer to Full Professor at Macquarie University. As a distinguished researcher in Data and AI Science, Amin has been invited to serve as a Keynote Speaker, General-Chair, PC-Chair, Organisation-Chair, and program committee member of top international conferences. He is also a leading author of several authored books in data, social, and process analytics, co-authored with other high-profile researchers.

Ovolo Hotels — Director of Food And Beverage - Australia

SiteMinder — Senior Director Corporate Travel

For 13 years, Mike Kinloch has developed an intimate understanding of both the challenges and opportunities facing hoteliers around the world. From his days leading the Pacific commercial arm for SiteMinder, the world’s leading hotel revenue platform, to his current position growing corporate travel business for hotels, Mike has become a trusted partner to hoteliers looking to navigate an ever-dynamic landscape through best practice in distribution and revenue management.

Ovolo Hotels — CEO

Young Hotel Leaders | Mercure Sydney Manly — President | General Manager

W Hotels — Director of Marketing - W Brisbane

Stacey is a global award-winning hospitality marketing specialist with 14 years experience working in luxury/ lifestyle hotels and resorts across UK, Europe, Maldives & Australia. She is a passionate brand builder and foodie who has developed over 50 restaurant and bar brands across the world. (Including co-owning and operating a rooftop bar in Mayfair).

She has been recognised within the industry as a 'Future Leader' and '30 under 30' at the Restaurant Marketer & Innovation, European Summit and also won the 'Marriott European Marketing & Brand Leadership Award' for results driven across a portfolio of 65 x Marriott International Hotels and 9 brands in the UK. More recently she was announced as the '2023 Marriott International APEC Elite PR & Communications Leader Of The Year' of which I went onto receive the 'Global Elite Award for PR & Communications Leader of the Year'. Stacey also recenlty won the '2023 QHA Awards for Excellence - Best Marketed Hotel'.

For the past 3 years Stacey has been Director of Marketing at W Brisbane where she has delivered record breaking commercial results, year-on year.

Crystalbrook Collection — Group Director, People and Culture

As a Senior HR Executive, my focus is to develop HR strategy that positively impacts culture, performance and capability.

Throughout my career I have had the pleasure of leading cultural and operational transformation for dynamic organisations including Pan Pacific Hotels Group, Trippas White Group, Sodexho and Compass Group UK/Ireland. In each company, I worked collaboratively to refine the HR approach and organisational culture so that people felt visible, included and valued, and so that important processes were automated, integrated and standardised for optimal efficiency.

With a commercial mind-set, and significant experience across all HR functions I enjoy both designing strategy and partnering operationally to support employees at all levels. I believe in the power of diversity and am passionate about building inclusive, respectful and engaged cultures that maximise talent opportunities from all sectors of the community.

25hours Hotel Sydney — General Manager

With over 20 years of experience in the hotel industry Silvia Kypriotis began her career in 2004 with Stamford Hotels & Resorts. Joining Accor in 2010 where she has held various key positions, including Reservations Manager, Rooms Division Manager, Talent & Culture Manager, Executive Assistant Manager, Hotel Manager, and General Manager across eight Accor hotels. In 2021, Silvia received the prestigious HM Australian General Manager of the Year award. Transitioning Accor's Lifestyle Collection - Ennismore, where she is General Manager, leading the pre-opening for 25hours The Olympia, located in Paddington.

JACK Hospitality — Co-Founder

Catherine is the Co Founder and director JACK hospitality Consulting. A highly accomplished and commercially focused hospitality operations professional with an impressive track record spanning over 30 years. HER expertise encompasses a diverse range of hospitality operations including contract catering, venues, hotels, events, restaurants, stadia, travel hubs, and high street retail.

One of her key strengths is her ability to design and deliver products and services that optimise service efficiency and enhance the overall customer experience. Her extensive experience in this area has enabled HER to consistently exceed operational expectations and ensure high-quality service delivery.

Hospitality International Australia Pty Ltd — Owner

Day Seven — Founder / Creative Director

The Shores Motel Group — Chief Operating Officer

Accommodation Australia — CEO

Tourism WA — Managing Director

Choice Hotels Asia-Pac — Senior Director, Strategy, Sales, & Marketing

Kari has over 20 years marketing experience in the Franchise, tourism, leisure and accommodation industries. In her role at Choice Hotels Asia-Pac, Kari oversees the sales and marketing functions, with a focus on digital channels, growing existing and developing new revenue streams, and continuing to drive direct business for Choice Hotels franchisee network, comprising of approximately 170 properties. Prior to joining Choice Hotels Asia Pac, Kari was General Manager – Marketing for the Belgravia Health and Leisure Group overseeing the marketing strategy and function across four verticals and eight brands (and 160+ facilities). Kari actively championed Belgravia’s digital strategy across the organization. Kari also held the role of General Manager – Marketing, Strategy and Sales at BIG4 Holiday Parks for nine years, a national marketing franchise network comprising of approximately 180 properties, where she was responsible for all marketing functions with a focus on brand and driving digital sales channels, growing existing and developing new revenue streams and maximizing customer retention. Kari’s track record and rapport with franchisees saw her appointed Acting CEO of BIG4 for six months.
Kari has a Masters of Tourism Marketing and Bachelor of Arts from Monash University, has been a co-chair of the Future Leaders Committee for the Caravan Industry Association of Australia and is a guest lecturer for the Masters of Tourism Marketing program at Monash University. And currently sits on the Accommodation Association of Australia’s State Advisory Council (Victoria).

Expedia — Program Performance Manager, Revenue

Fastrack Digital — Group Managing Director

Adrian is the founder and Group Managing Director of Australasia's leading travel, tourism and lifestyle full-service digital marketing and media agency, Fastrack Digital in APAC. Adrian is considered a leader in direct booking strategy and digital growth. He has worked with some of Australia, New Zealand and Asia's leading hotel and travel brands on improving their direct bookings. He has been responsible in some cases of doubling their direct bookings and revenue.

BWH Hotels — Managing Director Australasia

WA Government — Deputy Premier; Treasurer; Minister for Transport; Tourism

Rita Saffioti was elected to State Parliament in 2008 for the electorate of West Swan, and became a Shadow Minister in 2013.

In 2017, Rita was appointed Minister for Transport and Planning in the McGowan Government.

Following the re-election of the Labor Government in March 2021, Rita was reappointed as the Minister for Transport and Planning, while also being named as the Minister for Ports.

Oversight of the Transport, Planning and Ports portfolios gives Rita the opportunity to take an integrated approach to transport and land use planning, and responsibility of delivering the Governments major METRONET project.

There are now a range of major road and rail projects across the state that are either underway or completed.

This year alone she is overseeing the construction of major METRONET projects, almost 40 major road projects.

Rita’s priority is to see the State of Western Australia thrive through planning reform and a first class transport network.

Some of her proudest achievements include returning railcar manufacturing to Western Australia, starting construction on the METRONET Morley-Ellenbrook Line and securing record funding from the Commonwealth to upgrade regional roads.

After finishing her schooling at Kelmscott Senior High School, Rita gained a Bachelor of Business at Curtin University before moving to Canberra to work at the Department of Finance and then returning to Western Australia to work at the Department of Treasury.

In 1997 Rita commenced working for then Opposition Leader Geoff Gallop as an economic adviser, continuing this role into Government before ultimately becoming Chief of Staff to Premier Alan Carpenter.

Rita has three young children, a 11 -year-old and nine-year-old twins. When not at Parliament, Rita can usually be found with her family at the footy cheering on her team, the Fremantle Dockers.Saff

BIG4 Holiday Parks — CEO

Accomplished marketing strategist Sean Jenner was appointed Chief Executive Officer of BIG4 Holiday Parks in July 2021 to steer its network of more than 200 holiday parks and partners through its post-pandemic business recovery and beyond. Sean has more than two decades’ marketing and commercial experience, previously holding senior positions at some of Australia’s and the world’s leading brands including Nike, Virgin, Starbucks and Myer, while based in Australia and Europe. Most recently, Sean was Head of Marketing at SWEAT, a highly successful global technology start-up in the health and fitness sector.

Sean’s expertise and passion for digital transformation has come to the fore in his leadership of the development and execution of BIG4 Holiday Parks’ new digital strategy, aimed at aggressively expanding the brand’s digital footprint across the country as well as strengthening its overall brand. A key enabler of this transformation is for BIG4.com.au to be the leading portal for Australian holiday parks. A major component of the digital strategy and BIG4’s evolution has been the expansion and improvement of its website (BIG4.com.au) to better meet the needs of customers and trends towards ease, choice and user experience.

During his first two years as CEO, the company has achieved 30% growth in online revenue, brought 40+ new parks into the BIG4 network and launched the brand’s largest ever brand campaign.

Sean is based in Melbourne, married and a father of two young boys. He is an avid runner, movie lover and wine enthusiast.

Horwath HTL — Manager, Perth

Martyna is a seasoned hospitality industry professional with over 15 years of experience spanning across Poland and Australia. As a Manager at Horwath HTL in the Perth office, she represents the company in Western Australia while undertaking assignments and conducting market research across Australia, New Zealand, and the North Pacific region. Specializing in feasibility assessment, branding and positioning strategy, operator selection processes, and expert witness assistance, Martyna ensures projects are strategically aligned with market conditions to maximize their future potential.

With a focus on in-market research, supply and demand analysis, and concept development, Martyna collaborates directly with investors and owners to drive project success. Her expertise extends to conducting operator search and selection processes, further enhancing project viability.

Martyna's journey includes diverse roles encompassing event management, sales and revenue management, business development, and client relations within independent hotels and global hotel brand companies before joining Horwath HTL. Over the last five years with Horwath HTL, initially based in Sydney and later relocating to Perth, Martyna has continuously demonstrated her dedication to the sustainable hotel market development.

Beyond her professional commitments, Martyna contributes to academia as a casual lecturer at Torrens University and Kaplan Business School, where she lectures subjects, such as hotel investment and destination and visitor management. Martyna holds a Masters in International Hotel Management from the Blue Mountains International Hotel Management School and is currently pursuing a Master of Philosophy at Torrens University, focusing on destination competitiveness models.

Google — Industry Manager, Travel

Swiss Belhotel International — Chairman and President at Swiss-Belhotel International

STR

Alloggio — Founder & CEO

REVINATE — General Manager, APAC

Revinate — Senior Sales Manager, APAC

Joel Lee is passionate about driving revenue growth and enhancing guest experiences through cutting-edge technology solutions. Currently serving as the Senior Sales Manager, APAC at Revinate, Joel proactively connects with hoteliers across the region, assisting them in boosting their revenue.

STR — Business Development Manager, Pacific

Paul Hammond is the Business Development Manager, Pacific at STR, a global company who collects performance data from accommodation properties all over the world and provides aggregated reports and insights on market performance for accommodation providers and custom groups, which enables them to make better business decisions.

Paul has over 30 years of experience in tourism & hospitality in a variety of management and sales & marketing roles with numerous Hotels and Hotel Chains nationally and internationally with independent hotels such as Palazzo Versace and global chains including Hyatt and Intercontinental Hotel Group (IHG). Paul has also had extensive experience in the Online Travel (OTA) industry with global companies Orbitz, part of the Expedia Group, and Booking.com, as well as major sports projects including the Nagano Winter Olympics in Japan and the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games Corporation (GOLDOC) organising committee.

Ted Horner & Associates Pty Ltd — Managing Director

In 1989, he established E Horner & Associates Pty Ltd a Consulting Practice specializing in Technology Consulting to the Hospitality Industry and he is now widely respected as Australia's leading consultant in this area.

In 1996 created Australia’s first dedicated Hotel Technology Exhibition which ran for more than 10 years before it was sold to a UK based conference vendor

In 2002 he was a founding member of HTNG ( Hotel Technology Next Generation ) a not for profit body which was established in the US to promote open systems integrations between vendors in the industry and today he is an Executive Advisor to HTNG In 2022 HTNG became part of the American Lodging Hotel Association

In 2004 he was the first non US person to be elected to the HITEC Technology Hall of Fame for his contribution to the advancement of technology in the hospitality industry .

In 2012 created a new conference called Teds Technology Summit which is designed to educate senior decision makers on latest technology trends and it has now become Australia’s leading hotel technology conference

In 2014 was elected to the International Board of Directors of Hotel Technology Financial Professionals (HFTP ) who run the largest hotel technology exhibition/conference in the world (HITEC ) and he served on this board for 3 years

He has done consulting assignments in the following countries over the last 33 years
Australia , New Zealand , Singapore , Indonesia , Sri Lanka , USA , Malaysia , Dubai, Papua New Guinea, and Fiji

La Vie Hotels & Resorts — Group Director of Commercial

Selina — Chief Operating Officer

BWH Hotels — Director of Revenue Optimisation

Kristy is based in Sydney as the current Director of Revenue Optimisation for BWH Hotel Group Australasia, leading the Revenue Management team to optimise distribution channels, drive revenue performance and educate hotel owners in effectively implementing revenue management strategies. She is a highly experienced and respected revenue analysis expert with nearly 20 years of experience in delivering technology-led solutions across the Australasia hospitality sector. As a strong supporter of revenue enhancement, Kristy works closely with each hotel in the BWH portfolio to support them in making smarter revenue and distribution decisions. With a strong commercial awareness and implementation of successful system projects, she plays an integral role in contributing to BWH hotels surpassing their financial targets.

Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia — CEO

Merivale — General Manager New Projects

Business Events Sydney — Strategic Partnerships Manager