Death of tourism leader Stephen Gregg

Australasian Leisure Management is saddened to report the death of tourism industry leader Stephen Gregg, an inspirational figure over more than 40 years, overseeing some of Queensland’s largest and most important innovations.

Stephen was Chief Executive of Tourism Queensland for nearly seven years from August 1996 before roles as Chief Executive of Dreamworld and then Cairns and Mackay Airports.

He led the industry as Chair of the Queensland Tourism Industry Council (QTIC) for almost eight years, then as the Chair of both Events Queensland and Tourism Queensland, overseeing the successful merger of the two into Tourism and Events Queensland.

As the inaugural Chair of TEQ, Stephen’s highlight, in his words, was “overseing the birth of an integrated strategy to leverage synergies between the two former organisations”, guiding TEQ towards its current role as the state’s lead marketing, tourism experience and destination development and major events agency.

Stephen also Chaired Tourism Tropical North Queensland (TTNQ) and Queensland Rail and served as a Board member of Tourism Noosa. In 2015 he was awarded the industry’s highest honour, The Marie Watson-Blake Award for Outstanding Contribution by an Individual to recognise his extraordinary personal and professional achievements in Queensland and Australia’s tourism industry.

He died after an eight year battle with cancer at the age of 73 at his home on the Sunshine Coast.

He is survived by wife Christine, four children and six grandchildren.

Tributes
There have been many tributes to Stephen’s career and industry achievements.

Stating that the industry has lost a person of extraordinary talent and vision, Queensland Tourism Minister, Stirling Hinchliffe stated “as Chair of Tourism Queensland, he navigated the Events Queensland merger to create the highly successful, industry-leading Tourism and Events Queensland we know today.”

Current TEQ Chair Brett Godfrey was thankful for the influence Stephen had on the industry, declaring “Stephen Gregg has helped shape Queensland’s tourism industry as we know it today. His steady guidance has helped so many succeed over so many years and the impacts of his leadership will continue to be enjoyed in the future. May he rest in peace knowing he truly made a significant impact on our state’s tourism industry.”

TTNQ Chairman Ken Chapman commented “Stephen Gregg was a champion of the tourism industry throughout his stellar career over more than 40 years.

“Nobody has held such recognised leadership in Queensland tourism for so long and with such success.”

Advising that Stephen was a quiet and humble man who offered thoughtful advice, wisdom, innovation and passion, Chapman added “he embodied committed leadership with a true love of the tourism industry throughout his life and has left a lasting legacy of achievement for which we are all so very grateful.”

Rob Giason, who was TTNQ Chief Executive when Stephen joined the board in 2011, paid tribute to a great supporter of regional tourism, stating “he was an innovator, creator, motivator and great thinker who wanted to provide the tourism industry with as many tools as possible to govern their own destiny.

“He was a damn great guy who loved nature, whether it was walking, bike riding, paddling or surfing, and he taught us a lot - he will be sadly missed.”

TEQ CEO Leanne Coddington said like so many others in the industry she was inspired by Stephen’s leadership, noting “I know many of us are reflecting on the enormous contribution Stephen made not only to tourism, but also to so many of us personally across the tourism industry.

“He led with humility and was a passionate supporter and mentor to so many people as we paved our careers in this incredible industry.”

CEO Experience Co and former Tourism Australia Managing Director, John O’Sullivan advised “I’ll always remember the real interest he took in people. He went from being my Director and mentor to becoming a close friend and I’ll equally treasure our professional relationship as I will our time spent kayaking the Noosa mangroves over the Christmas holidays.”

Images: Stephen Gregg.