Hilton Garden Inn Albany — Cluster Hotel Manager

Steve is a widely experienced hospitality manager that has dedicated over 25 years to the industry. Gaining experience throughout Australia & Overseas he has a wealth of knowledge of the Hospitality & Tourism industry within an international chain.

Steve’s operational knowledge has been developed through large projects assisting with refurbishments, managing teams throughout multiple locations and opening the first Hilton Garden Inn within the Australasian region, located in Albany and more recently opening Hilton Garden Inn Busselton.

Mews — Commercial Director - APAC

Hayden is the Commercial Director for APAC at Mews, a cloud-native, innovative hospitality management system. Hayden’s expertise in hospitality management, hotel technology, and corporate travel technology spans across the past 15 years, with a focus in commercial strategy and customer engagement. His passion for innovation has driven him to explore leading hotel technology solutions and partnerships, with an emphasis on AI and automation, to improve processes and enhance the customer journey. A passionate traveller, foodie and adventure seeker, searching for the world’s best hospitality experiences.

Anneke Brown Consulting — Director

Anneke Brown has lived and breathed hospitality for over 25 years. Her expertise lies in hotel project development and management. Anneke’s international experience includes roles at Amanresorts. As the global Director of Training, Anneke was part of the project team for 8 resort openings in Cambodia, India, Bhutan, Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. In Australia Anneke has held management roles in Margaret River, in central Australia as the Resort Manager of Longitude 131 at Uluru, and as General Manager of COMO The Treasury, Perth.

Anneke’s passion for Western Australia and the tourism industry led her to forming Anneke Brown Consulting in 2020, specialising in hospitality and tourism projects. Bringing international standards to the hotel development process, hotel design and operations, along with excellence in training and education, the business provides solutions to Western Australian organisations with the desire to elevate their offering. Anneke holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Western Australia, is a founding member and current Chair of Women in Tourism and Hospitality WA, a current Board Member of the Rottnest Island Authority, and a former Commissioner on the Board of Tourism WA.

Crown Perth Hotels at Crown Perth — Executive General Manager

Andrew Cairns – Executive General Manager, Crown Hotels Perth
Andrew is part of the Executive team for Crown Perth and responsible for the operational and strategic planning of the Crown Perth Hotels portfolio, comprising Crown Towers Perth, Crown Metropol Perth and Crown Promenade.

Andrew has over twenty-five years’ experience in the hospitality industry, both domestically and internationally. He has had a lifelong passion for hospitality and kicked off his career, spending six years with Hyatt Hotels before moving into other roles including Group Manager – Tourism at General Travel (Australia), Property and Operations Management roles within TFE Hotels and time in the UK with The Hempel Hotel – London.

Throughout his career, Andrew has gained an extensive knowledge of operational, personnel and marketing strategies to ensure the success and effectiveness of various business entities. He has a management style that strives to create an inclusive culture with a strong sense of commitment, ownership and self-motivation within all employees. In his executive capacity, he has worked collaboratively to develop company brand values to enhance the customer and employee experience and drive positive business returns.

Andrew has developed strong stakeholder networks within Perth to assist in wider beneficial tourism strategies and currently holds the role of Accommodation Division President for the AHA WA.

Accor Hotels WA — Senior Director of Revenue

Margaret River Holiday Cottages — Hotel Owner

The Gerald Apartment Hotel, Geraldton — General Manager

Gemma Clark is a seasoned hospitality professional with a passion for curating unparalleled guest experiences. Currently serving as the General Manager at The Gerald Apartment Hotel in Geraldton, Gemma brings a wealth of expertise and a dedication to providing memorable, personable service that transforms every stay into the ultimate home away from home.

With a solid background as the award winner of AHAWA Hotel Executive Manager in 2023, Gemma has honed her skills in customer service, people management, and administration. Her resourcefulness and experience enable her to orchestrate optimal resource utilization, ensuring that operational needs are not just met but exceeded.

Accor — Accor - Vice President Operations – Western Australia, Tasmania & Fragrance Group

Nathan Frost is not only a seasoned leader in the hospitality industry but also a dedicated mentor and coach, passionate about the development of team members. As the Portfolio General Manager of Operations for WA and Fragrance Group, Nathan oversees a vast portfolio of hotels stretching from Mandurah to Karratha, with additional properties in Tasmania and Melbourne. His journey in hospitality began over 25 years ago when he graduated from the prestigious Blue Mountains International Hotel Management School in 1998, setting the foundation for a career marked by innovation, excellence, and a genuine commitment to his team's growth.

Having completed ACCOR’s National Management Traineeship in 2002, Nathan's leadership journey has been defined by a relentless pursuit of excellence and a deep-seated passion for hospitality. Throughout his tenure with ACCOR, Nathan has held senior management roles across Australia and New Zealand, where he has demonstrated a keen ability to foster talent and inspire his team members to reach their full potential. He believes in creating a supportive and nurturing environment where team members can thrive and grow, recognizing that their development is integral to the success of the organization.

In addition to his operational prowess, Nathan is a fervent advocate for leveraging technology to enhance guest experiences and streamline hotel operations. With a keen understanding of the evolving landscape of technology in hospitality, Nathan is committed to striking the perfect balance between simplifying procedures and maximizing guest satisfaction and interaction. His innovative approach has led to the implementation of solutions that seamlessly integrate into the guest experience, ensuring a harmonious blend of efficiency and hospitality.

Beyond his professional achievements, Nathan prioritizes his own well-being, starting most mornings with a visit to the gym to recharge both his mind and body. On weekends, you'll often find him hitting the waves, indulging in his love for surfing and embracing the natural beauty of the coast. These moments of relaxation and rejuvenation not only fuel Nathan's personal passions but also serve as a source of inspiration and creativity in his professional life. Nathan is a dedicated husband to his wife Victoria and a loving father to his two children, Lachlan and Mikayla.

BWH Hotels Australasia — Managing Director Australasia

Sailing for Oranges — Director of Hospitality

IHG — Area Director of Sales and Marketing

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

Lighthouse — Business Development Manager ANZ & Pacific

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.

Insight Hotel Marketing — Owner

Rachel is a highly experienced and passionate sales and marketing professional with 30 years’ experience in business development and marketing positions within the tourism and hospitality space. Rachel offers any project a wealth of knowledge and has a proven track record in helping businesses build sales across a number of platforms and market segments.

Insight Hotel Marketing was established by Rachel nearly five years ago and provides hospitality clients with a vast array of valuable and tailored support services such as sales representation, revenue management, OTA and channel management, digital marketing and more to small independent operators in Australia.

Otelier — VP of Sales, APAC

Joey is a seasoned sales and revenue management professional with over 20 years of experience in the hospitality industry. She has worked with global international and regional chains like FRHI, Four Seasons, Meritus, Stamford and Banyan Tree as well as hospitality technology firms like TravelClick/Amadeus, IDeaS, Rainmaker and Cendyn. Joey is currently based in Singapore but her career has led her to places such as Australia, China, Dubai and Thailand. As VP of Sales for Otelier, she is involved in all aspects of growing the company’s footprint in Asia Pacific with a focus on sales and marketing and account management. Joey is also currently serving as President on the board of HSMAI Singapore.

Amadeus Hospitality — Director of Sales at Amadeus Hospitality.

With more than 20 years of experience in Hotel, Travel and Hospitality businesses across the globe, Bert is the trusted key contact for many properties and venue-operators across the country.

Over the years, he has become an industry expert on travel distribution and travel technology eco-systems. Bert’s passion and goal is guiding hoteliers and operators to optimize their businesses, facilitate better customer journeys and ultimately drive incremental revenues.

Amadeus makes the experience of travel better for everyone, everywhere by inspiring innovation, partnerships and responsibility to people, places and planet.
Our technology powers the travel and tourism industry. Inspiring more open ways of working. More connected ways of thinking, centered around the traveler. Our open platform connects the global travel and hospitality ecosystem. From startups to big industry players and governments too. Together, redesigning the travel of tomorrow.

Expedia — Program Performance Manager, Revenue

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Accommodation Australia — CEO

AHA(WA) — CEO

Bradley is one of Australia’s most respected tourism, hotel and hospitality industry leader and advocate. Bradley has a degree in International Business Relations. For over 30 years he has held leadership roles in the tourism and hospitality industries and has been the CEO of the Australian Hotels Association (AHA) WA since 1998. Bradley also supports the following organisations:

• Chair, Business Events Perth – WA’s Convention Bureau
• Chair, Australia Day Council WA (Australian of the Year Awards)
• Chair, Hospitality Group Training
• Chair, ECU Tourism & Hospitality Industry Consultative Committee
• Board Member, Ronald McDonald House Charities Perth
• Co-Founder and Board Member of mental health charity, Healthy Mind Menu Inc. Bradley is also a former Board Member of Tourism Australia, serving from 2017 to 2023. Regarded as an expert in tourism, accommodation and hospitality, Bradley has led industry through major crises including the Tasmanian Tourism sector’s strategic response after the Port Arthur massacre, the collapse of Ansett, SARS, the hotel and hospitality sectors’ management through and recovery from COVID 19 and responding to critical international events impacting on the Australian hospitality and tourism industry.

Business Events Perth — 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).

Mews

Australian Revenue Management Association — Head of Commercial and Partnerships

Georgina Williams is a seasoned leader with decades of experience in the hospitality industry. She is currently serving as the Head of Commercial and Partnership at the Australian Revenue Management Association (ARMA).

Prior to her role at ARMA, Georgina held prominent positions at Elanor Investors Group, Pegasus Hospitality, BWH Hotel Group, and SilverNeedle Hospitality Group. As Head of Commercial for Hotels, Tourism, and Leisure at Elanor Investors Group, she demonstrated her ability to drive revenue growth and develop strategic alliances.

Further, Georgina's impact extends to industry-wide initiatives. She played a crucial role in orchestrating the highly successful Tourism Employee Awards by ARMA in 2023, underscoring her dedication to advancing the sector.

With her passion for the industry and commitment to excellence, Georgina continues to make a significant impact in the hospitality sector.

Fraser Marketing International — Founder, Chief Creator & Connector

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.

The Ritz-Carlton Perth & Courtyard by Marriott, Murdoch, Perth — Director of Revenue

Intercontinental Perth — General Manager

Anna Edie is the General Manager of the InterContinental Perth City Centre. Anna’s extensive hotel career spans the globe across operational aspects of both Rooms an Food & Beverage disciplines, in new and established hotels, and across a variety of brands, predominately in the luxury realm. Anna has called IHG Hotels & Resorts home for the past 15 years and is passionate about people being the heart and soul of delivering hospitality and contributing to the industry as a whole. Anna sits on the board of Western Australia’s own industry led hospitality mental health charity, Healthy Mind Menu, and in 2023 was inducted into the AHA Hall of fame for her advocacy for the colleagues in our industry during some of the most difficult years in living memory.

Vetroblu Hotels — Group General Manager

Unorthodox. Focused. Engaging. Energetic. These are words most often used by those who know him professionally to describe Nathan Baker. As the Group General Manager of Vetroblu Hotels Group, Nathan proudly stands beside an exceptional and noteworthy portfolio of hotels in Perth, keenly focused on providing guests with the highest level of comfort and localized amenities and services. He firmly believes that effortless comfort and authentic hospitality through key touches are key to every guest experience.

With over twenty-five years of experience within hospitality and the accommodation services sector specifically, Nathan has managed several properties across the country and has a proven track record in capital management to back it up. His overall industry experience can also be seen in his time on the board of Destination Perth as well as his role as Vice Chair Of Stirling Business Association. Having a hands-on approach has made him a good all-rounder not only selling and marketing the properties he has managed but also Perth as a destination to the world.

Never one to shy away from a challenge, Nathan has built a foundation for the Vetroblu group slowly solidifying the brand using an acute hands-on approach together with his extensive knowledge of the industry that he is passionate about. Since 2017, Nathan has grown the Vetroblu Hotel Group from inception starting with Ramada Vetroblu Scarborough Beach to a thriving operation of multiple locations across Perth. These include Airport Apartments by Vetroblu and most recently Bailey Parkside Motel by Vetroblu. This success story is even more noteworthy, considering the significant adversities facing the regions and industry over this period. Throughout years of trial and error, testing, and conservative risk-taking, Nathan has developed into a trusted leader in the hospitality industry.

The Hotel Photographer

Mauro Risch is an award-winning photographer specializing in conceptual still life shots and lifestyle. Involved into the world of Photography since the age of 13, he loves the chance of telling stories through the images he creates. A lot of warm and vibrant colours are the unmistakable elements of his style. He became a member of Melbourne Advertising And Design Club (MADC) in 2007 and a member of Australia Commercial And Media Photographers (ACMP) in 2008, establishing his base in the Studio at Aileen Ave, Melbourne, Australia. Hotels & Resorts have become a major subject in his photographic life, shooting for the hospitality industry in Asia-Pacific and in South America.

Kallis Hospitality Group — Managing Director

KHG is a multi-award winning boutique hospitality group headed by industry leader George V Kailis. Mr Kailis’ career spans some 25 years of hospitality operations, management and development with a focus on creating unique concepts
that are market leaders. KHG focuses on taking underperforming restaurants and cafes in prime locations and redevelops
them into cutting edge hospitality concepts. KHG prides itself on being a specialist in developing progressive hospitality operations in environmentally sensitive locations. KHG is also one of the only food and wine focused restaurant groups in WA and our culinary offers are always at the forefront of any concept. Food is our focus. All of our restaurants offer different hospitality experiences, from their décor to culinary agendas to fast casual or semi formal ambiances. No two venues are the same which cements our belief that unique locations require unique offers. Our focus is quality over quantity and we only look to grow into sites where we have a firm vision which can significantly benefit the community.
Over the years Mr. Kailis has risen to be regarded as one of Perth’s most influential and leading hospitality identities.
Having been recognised as the WA Good Food Guide Hospitality Operator of the Year, The AHA Group Venue Operator of the Year and been inducted into the AHA Legends of Hospitality Hall of Fame our track record in delivering outstanding restaurants is firmly recognised. These awards sit alongside the numerous accolades each venue has achieved cementing a proven track record of delivering outstanding hospitality venues in prime locations.

me&u — Senior Account Manager | WA

A ‘hospo lifer’, Ben Kershaw spent the first 20 years of his career working in 5-star hotels across operations and F&B. His search for tech that could enhance the guest experience while supporting profitability led him to jump ship and join me&u in 2022. Ben now works with 150 venues across WA and QLD, leveraging data and tech to create thriving hospitality businesses.