Conference to explore tourism business and investment

A new one-day conference exploring the business of tourism has released its program and speaker details.

Being held at The Langham, Sydney on Wednesday 24th October, Travel IQ is aimed at entrepreneurs, owners, directors, investors, managers and key executives.

Travel IQ organiser Martin Kelly explains "travel remains a growth story despite global uncertainty and is forecast to grow at more than 5% a year for the next decade.

"Our speakers will crunch the data on key industry sectors looking at where the smart money has been heading with analysis of key industry investments over the past two years, both in Australia and overseas."

Among a range of content will cover investor insights, the rise of adventure travel, future industry trends and attractions growth, featuring Anthea Hammon and David Hammon, Directors of Hammons Holdings, the operators Scenic World and the Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb Experience; Rob Smith, Divisional Director, Australia and New Zealand for Merlin Entertainments and Dax Eddy, Executive Director of Jamberoo Action Park.

Currently confirmed speakers include:

• Anthony Hayes, Chief Operating Officer, Sealink Travel Group (SLK)
• Anthony Moulder, Head of Transport & Infratsructure Research, CLSA Australia
• Anthea Hammon, David Hammon, Directors Hammons Holdings, (Scenic World/Sydney Harbour Bridge Tourism Experience)
• Bob East, Chairman Tourism Australia/ Chair Experience Co (EXP)
• Brett Mitchell, Regional Director APAC, Intrepid Group
• Darrin Grafton, Co-Founder, Serko (SKO)
• Dax Eddy, Executive Director, Jamberoo Action Park
• Jamie Pherous, Managing Director, Corporate Travel Management (CTM)
• Josh Oakes, Director, The Sunshine Tribe
• Les Szekely, Managing Director, Grand Prix Capital, early investor in SiteMinder and Rezdy
• Nigel Benton, Publisher, Australian Leisure Media
• Robert Halfpenny, Managing Director, Aurora Expeditions
• Rod Cuthbert, Exec Chairman, Rome2rio and founder and former Chairman, Viator
• Rob Smith, Divisional Director, Australia/New Zealand, Merlin Entertainments 
• Sue Badyari, Chief Executive Officer, World Expeditions
• Simon Lenoir, Co-Founder, Rezdy
• Tammy Marshall, Chief Executive, The B Hive
• Vasso Zographou/Michael Simpson, Savills Hotels

Kelly adds that delegates will "learn how to improve their business, list a company, source finance, scale-up, connect with the right people and capitalise on fresh opportunities."

He adds that the program is "packed with industry innovators, creators, accumulators, doers, legends and pioneers" so that delegates can see the "industry through their eyes and leave with a better understanding of where they’d like to take their business."

Bookings for Travel IQ are now open and cost from $495 plus GST.

Click here for more information in the Australasian Leisure Management industry Calendar.

Image: Jamberoo Action Park's Funnel Web raft ride.