Confirmed speakers at this time include the following:
![Zack Alcott](https://ttf.org.au/conference/outlook2024/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2024/06/Alcott-Speaker-for-Web-300x300.png)
Zack Alcott
Co-CEO | Get Skilled Access
As Co-CEO Zack’s passion is to create generational social change for people with disability. His innovative approach has seen him build understanding and confidence with clients and all levels of government, as well as spearhead a national awareness campaign to address the unconscious bias and invisible barriers people with disability face.
In 2018, Zack has managed Australia’s first inclusive music festival, Ability Fest which aims to use music as an inclusive platform to normalise disability and has been internationally recognised. Zack has also managed and supervised the MCG/MCC, Tennis Australia/Australian Open, The Australian Grand Prix Commission, Melbourne Airport, Tourism Northern Territory, Parks Victoria universal access and inclusion programs allowing him great understanding and insights.
![Hon. Bruce Baird AM](https://ttf.org.au/conference/outlook2024/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2022/05/Baird-Speaker-for-Web-300x300.png)
Hon. Bruce Baird AM
Chairman | Tourism & Transport Forum
Bruce Baird’s professional career has spanned the Australian Trade Commission service and the NSW and Federal Parliaments. He was a Federal member for Cook for nine years and during that time he was Chairman of both the Trade Committee and the House Standing Committee on Economics. He previously held roles as NSW Minister for Transport, Tourism, Roads and Minister for Sydney’s Olympic Bid. Prior to this he was Australia’s Assistant Trade Commissioner in Germany and Trade Commissioner in New York. Prior Board positions include Chair of the National Rail Corporation, Chair of the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator, Chair of Advisory Board of Screen Producers Australia, Chair of Kamay Project-Heart Research Institute Board, Chair of BE Sydney, Trustee of Sydney Opera House, Board Member of Sydney Theatre Company and Member of International Advisory Board of Cubic Transportation Systems.
Bruce is currently Chair of Tourism & Transport Forum and a Member of the Lord Howe Island Board.
![Shaun D’Cruz](https://ttf.org.au/conference/outlook2024/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2024/04/DCruz-Speaker-for-Web-300x300.png)
Shaun D’Cruz
Executive General Manager, VIP Customer Experience | Crown Melbourne
As Executive General Manager of VIP Customer Experience at Crown Melbourne, Shaun D’Cruz brings a wealth of experience complemented by a strong leadership background after serving in the hospitality industry for over 20 years. In this role, Shaun is charged with putting innovation and service excellence at the core of Crown Melbourne’s guest experience, overseeing the VIP customer experience across Crown Towers, Crown Metropol and Crown Promenade, as well as food & beverage, retail, events, conferencing,
and entertainment facilities. This remit spans financial returns, service standards, operational efficiency, market presence and strategic partnerships.
A passionate hotelier, Shaun studied in Dubai before pursuing further Hotel Management training in India, prior to working in Melbourne. He is now an active member on the Board of Accommodation Hotels Association, Victoria, and Chair of the Victorian State Advisory Group of Accommodation Australia.
Shaun has been invaluable to Crown Hotels since he commenced at Crown Towers in 2003 and has sound experience in all operational departments as well as revenue management. In 2008, he played a fundamental role in the successful opening of Crown Metropol Melbourne as the Rooms Division Manager. His unique ability to apply both strategic and operational leadership saw him relocate to Perth in 2011 where he oversaw the rebranding and refurbishment of two Crown hotels. Under his leadership, both hotels became market-leaders, and he was appointed General Manager, Crown Hotels Perth in 2014. Shaun returned to Crown Melbourne where he was appointed Executive General Manager of Crown Hotels in 2016, leading to his appointment into his role in 2023 as an Executive General Manager of VIP Customer Experience at Crown Melbourne. Since March 2024, Shaun has been overseeing the Crown Hotel Sydney Operations. His extensive experience and strategic vision have been instrumental in aligning the Sydney operations with Crown’s high standards of service and excellence, maintaining the brand’s reputation for unparalleled luxury and service.
Throughout his tenure, Shaun has received the prestigious Crystal Award which recognises exceptional managers and their contribution to Crown. In 2019, he was recognised at the HM Magazine awards as highly commended in the Australian General Manager category. Shaun’s dedication to service excellence resulted in Crown Towers being awarded the prestigious international Forbes five-star rating for seven years in a row, the only Melbourne hotel to receive such an honour. In addition to this, Crown Hotels Melbourne has received numerous international and national accolades including Travel and Leisure World’s Best and the TAA National Awards for Excellence.
![Paul Davies](https://ttf.org.au/conference/outlook2024/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2024/06/Paul-Davies-300x290.png)
Paul Davies
Chief Executive Officer | NRMA Parks and Resorts
Paul has been CEO at NRMA Parks and Resorts since 2017, during which time the business has expanded to own and operate nearly 60 holiday parks and resorts across Australia, located in unique natural settings in Queensland, NSW, Victoria, Tasmania and South Australia. The portfolio includes iconic locations such as Freycinet Lodge and Pumphouse Point Retreat in Tasmania, Angourie Resort in Yamba and Murramarang Holiday Resort, NSW. The team are shortly to open an entirely new eco-tourism experience, Turtle Sands at Mon Repos, Queensland, adjacent to the spectacular nesting beach for loggerhead turtles. With head office on the Gold Coast at Coolangatta, NRMA Parks and Resorts is a wholly owned entity of the NRMA, Australia’s largest member-owned organisation that is focused on motoring services, transport, and other tourism businesses such as Sixt Car Rental and Coral Expeditions Cruises. Paul has had an extensive executive career in transport and tourism, with previous roles with Taronga Conservation Society Australia, Tourism Australia, Qantas and British Airways.
![Geoff Donaghy](https://ttf.org.au/conference/outlook2024/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2024/04/Donaghy-Speaker-for-Program-1-300x300.png)
Geoff Donaghy
CEO, ICC Sydney and Group Director – Convention Centres, ASM Global (APAC)
In addition to his role as ICC Sydney’s CEO, Geoff is Group Director of Convention Centres (Asia Pacific) for ASM Global. Geoff served two terms as President of the International Association of Congress Centres (AIPC) following several years as a board member and was a representative on peak global body, the Joint Meetings Industry Council (JMIC), where he was a longstanding member of its executive committee.
In the five years from 2005, he served as Chair of local peak body, the Business Events Council of Australia (BECA), where he steered greater government recognition for the industry and was reappointed to the board as Deputy Chair in 2020, to assist in driving industry advocacy initiatives during the COVID-19 crisis. During this period, he was also appointed to the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) Tourism Recovery Taskforce.
Geoff was awarded the Australia Centenary Medal by the Federal Government in 2001, the Australian industry’s Outstanding Contribution Award in 2009, the Joint Meeting Industry Council’s 2010 Global Power and Profile Award and the 2016 IMEX Academy Award for outstanding Asia Pacific industry service and has been a regular convention speaker and leading media spokesperson on business events industry matters. In 2021, Geoff was inducted into the USA based Events Industry Council’s Hall of Leaders – a prestigious international recognition program in the global meetings, conventions and exhibitions industry.
![Greg Fordham OAM](https://ttf.org.au/conference/outlook2024/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2024/04/Fordham-Speaker-for-Web-300x300.png)
Greg Fordham OAM
Chairman | Airbiz Aviation Strategies
Greg is founder and Chairman of Airbiz. He is an internationally sought futurist and thought leader in airport development concepts and trends.
He has developed a truly global team, with resources and projects spread throughout the Asia/Pacific region, Europe, Middle East, and North America. Airbiz has been involved in the development of airports including Singapore, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Dubai, Brussels, Geneva, Marseille, London, Vancouver, New York, Phoenix, and Auckland and advising airlines including Qantas, Air New Zealand, Virgin Australia, Japan Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Saudia, British Airways, easyJet, Alaska Airlines, Delta, and Fiji Airways.
Greg is a former Board member of ACI Asia-Pacific and Chairman of the ACI World Business Partners Advisory Board. He is a member the Advisory Board for the aviation courses at Swinburne University.
Greg has been recognised as one of Australia’s Top 100 Most Influential Engineers and in 2020 received a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for service to the aviation industry.
![James Goodwin](https://ttf.org.au/conference/outlook2024/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2022/05/Goodwin-Speaker-for-Web-300x300.png)
James Goodwin
Chief Executive Officer | Australian Airports Association
James Goodwin is an experienced executive and non-executive director with a corporate affairs and public policy background with a particular interest in the transport, aviation and infrastructure sectors.
He was appointed Chief Executive of the Australian Airports Association in early 2020 and successfully guided the AAA through one of its most difficult challenges in history.
He continues to lead the AAA in supporting its members and advocating for national airport policy to ensure we have a thriving aviation system that is safe, secure, competitive, environmentally responsible and with a skilled workforce to benefit all Australians and visitors.
Prior to his role at the AAA, Mr Goodwin was the Chief Executive of Australia’s leading vehicle safety advocate, the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) since 2015.
Before joining ANCAP, Mr Goodwin held the Director – Government Relations & Communications position at the Australian Automobile Association and a high-profile senior community and corporate affairs position at AirServices– the provider of Australian air traffic control and aviation firefighting.
Mr Goodwin is the Chair of St John Ambulance in Canberra and a Board Member of the ACT Road Safety Advisory Board – appointed by the Transport Minister. He has previously been a non-executive director of Auto Skills Australia, the organisation tasked with reforming vocational education and training within the automotive industry.
A former journalist and news presenter, James worked for major network news outlets in Sydney and Canberra, including several years in the Federal Parliamentary Press Gallery.
![Nuno Guerreiro](https://ttf.org.au/conference/outlook2024/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2024/04/Guerreiro-Speaker-for-Web-300x300.png)
Nuno Guerreiro
Regional Director - South APAC & Chains | Booking.com
Nuno Guerreiro joined Booking.com in 2007 and was appointed Regional Director for South APAC & Chains in October 2020. Based in Singapore, Nuno leads on operations, business development and strategy for South APAC – vibrant and emerging markets across the region.
Nuno has served in a variety of regional leadership roles across his native Portugal, France, Brazil and Canada. Most recently he was Regional Manager for Global Chains based in Singapore. Prior to this role, he was the Regional Manager for Canada based out of Toronto.
Nuno graduated from the University of Algarve with a Licentiate Degree in Hospitality Management. With his passion for soccer, he was also an official referee for 10 years with the Federação Portuguesa de Futebol in Portugal.
![Ben Hall](https://ttf.org.au/conference/outlook2024/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2022/05/Hall-Speaker-for-Web-300x300.png)
Ben Hall
Chief Executive Officer | AAT Kings Group
Ben Hall leads AAT Kings Group globally, inclusive of the AAT Kings, Inspiring Journeys, SEIT and Down Under Tours brands. Based in Sydney, Ben assumed the CEO role in January 2022.
Ben’s experience spans Finance, Hospitality and Tourism across six continents and over 90 countries. Having started at National Mutual as a Trainee Actuary while at University, Ben ventured overseas and worked with Canadian Pacific Hotels in Canada before commencing work with The Travel Corporation in Europe. 10 years as a Travel Director for Contiki, Insight and Trafalgar across EMEA and Grand Circle in Australia, New Zealand and Fiji then led to Managing Director of Contiki Europe and CEO of Tracoin Services, the EMEA Contracting & Purchasing Division for The Travel Corporation, before returning to Australia to head the AAT Kings Group.
AAT Kings is a leading tour operator, with over 400 employees and over 100 years’ experience. AAT Kings has a presence in the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Europe, USA, and Canada. With a broad range of holiday options including Guided Tours, Short Breaks, Day Tours and Small Group adventures, AAT Kings are the Australian and New Zealand specialists.
Ben also oversees the other brands within the AAT Kings Group portfolio including small group specialists Inspiring Journeys, interactive and intimate cultural experience company SEIT and Cairns and Tropical North Queensland expert operator, Down Under Tours.
![John Hughes](https://ttf.org.au/conference/outlook2024/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2024/04/Hughes-Speaker-for-Web-300x300.png)
John Hughes
Chief Executive Officer | Luna Park Sydney
John Hughes is the Chief Executive Officer of Luna Park Sydney, the iconic heritage-listed amusement park that has been an integral part of Sydney’s cultural and social fabric for over 88 years. The Sydney Harbour icon is one of the most intact art-deco amusement parks in the world and presently welcomes over 1.2 million visitors per year.
Prior to Luna Park, John was the Head of Fox Studios Australia, the region’s largest integrated film and television production facility and industry hub. In the 3.5 years that John ran the Disney-owned business, the Studio attracted almost $1bn of international production to Sydney, consolidating Fox Studios as a leader and centre of excellence in the NSW creative industries sector.
John holds an Executive Master of Business Administration from UTS and a Bachelor of Business & Commerce (Property) from UWS. He is a board member & Treasurer of not-for-profit arts organisation, Brand X, the former Deputy Chair of the City of Sydney’s Sustainable Destination Partnership and a former board member of Ausfilm and Screen Producers Australia.
![Grant Hunt AM](https://ttf.org.au/conference/outlook2024/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2024/04/Hunt-Speaker-for-Web-300x300.png)
Grant Hunt AM
Chair | Tourism and Events Queensland
Grant Hunt is the former CEO of Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia, a company he led as Voyages Hotels and Resorts 1996 and 2006, before returning as CEO in September 2018. Under his leadership, the company grew from a single resort asset at Uluru to a portfolio of 23 hotels and resorts across 17 Australian destinations, many within national parks and World Heritage sites.
A leader in nature-based and indigenous tourism in Australia, Mr Hunt has served as Chair of the Australian Tourism Data Warehouse (ATDW), Tourism Tasmania and Tourism Northern Territory and has also been a board member of Tourism Australia.
He is also a past Chair of Sunshine Coast Destination Limited and the Commonwealth Government Iconic Sites Taskforce as well as a past Board member of Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park Board.
He is a non-executive director of Discovery Holiday Parks and in 2020 was awarded a Member of the Order of Australia for exceptional contributions to the tourism industry.
![Sara King](https://ttf.org.au/conference/outlook2024/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2024/04/King-Speaker-for-Web-300x300.png)
Sara King
General Manager of Purpose | Intrepid Travel
Sara King is Intrepid’s General Manager of Purpose and is responsible for delivering the company’s environmental, social and governance commitments, including as a signatory to the UN Global Compact and a certified B Corp. Her remit includes Reconciliation, Modern Slavery, climate change, gender equality, animal welfare and the B Corp certification. Prior to joining Intrepid, Sara held a number of roles at the World Bank Group, including communications in the impact investing arm, IFC, and in sustainable tourism development in the SME Value Chain advisory services. Sara holds a Master’s in International Relations and Affairs from Macquarie University and a Graduate Certificate of Management from the UNSW Business School.
![Ash Little](https://ttf.org.au/conference/outlook2024/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2024/04/Little-Speaker-for-Web-300x300.png)
Ash Little
Director of Strategy | Tennis Australia
Ash is Tennis Australia’s Director of Strategy and responsible for developing and implementing TA’s corporate strategy across all parts of the business including the Australia Open and other lead-in events, Participation and Performance. Prior to joining Tennis Australia at the start of 2024, Ash was a Partner at the Boston Consulting Group, where he spent 12 years advising clients across the Sport, Media and Entertainment industries. Ash has an MBA from Stanford University and a Bachelor of Arts/Science from ANU.
![Tara MacLeod](https://ttf.org.au/conference/outlook2024/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2024/04/Tara-MacLeod-300x289.png)
Tara MacLeod
Executive Director – Operations and Finance | Adelaide Fringe Festival
With a background in events, project management and operations, Tara has over 13 years’ experience in General Management, having previously worked at the Port Adelaide Football Club and Adelaide Film Festival, before her current role overseeing Adelaide Fringe’s operations and finance departments.
Over the past 3 years, Tara has led the establishment of the Adelaide Fringe Reconciliation Action Plan, Sustainability Action Plan and Disability Access and Inclusion Plan, with a Multicultural Inclusion Action Plan in the works.
With a mission to make Adelaide Fringe the most inclusive festival in the world, Tara has championed diversity and inclusion at Adelaide Fringe, working with First Nations leaders and Disability consultants to achieve outcomes to make the arts accessible to all.
![Tori Lamb](https://ttf.org.au/conference/outlook2024/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2024/04/Lamb-Speaker-for-Web-300x300.png)
Tori Lamb
Assistant Secretary Strategy and Modernisation Branch, Australian Passport Office | Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Tori has 20 years’ experience in the Australian public service, primarily in service delivery and emergency response. Tori was also a media advisor for a QLD Senator.
Tori is the Assistant Secretary of Strategy and Modernisation at the Australian Passport Office (APO) in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. One of Tori’s priorities in this role is fostering productive relationships with APO’s stakeholders, including across the travel and tourism sectors.
As Australia’s representative on the International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO) Public Key Directory (PKD) Board and several ICAO Working Groups, Tori promotes and advances Australia’s interests in the global travel document ecosystem.
An active participant in her local community, Tori is a member of her local public school board and swimming club committee.
![Phil Lockyer](https://ttf.org.au/conference/outlook2024/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2024/04/Lockyer-Speaker-for-Web-300x300.png)
Phil Lockyer
Head of Indigenous Affairs | Tourism Australia
Phil Lockyer is a Noongar man from Western Australia with 23 years of experience working in Indigenous Affairs across government, community organisations, employment, and corporate sector.
His career focus is creating meaningful opportunities for First Nations people businesses, and communities, and is one of Australia’s leading practitioners of the Reconciliation Action Plan Program which strengthens relationships between First Nations people and the broader community.
Since February 2021 he has been Head of Indigenous Affairs at Tourism Australia where he is focused on ensuring the diversity, warmth and humour of First Nations people is central to Australia’s tourism narrative.
Phil doesn’t believe in ‘leaning in’ but knocking shit over to ensure First Nations people are the ones at the table making the decisions that impact us.
![Margy Osmond](https://ttf.org.au/conference/outlook2024/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2022/05/margy-1-300x300-1.png)
Margy Osmond
Chief Executive Officer | Tourism & Transport Forum
Margy Osmond is the Chief Executive Officer of the Tourism & Transport Forum (TTF) and Australia’s most prominent voice advocating for the tourism, transport and aviation sectors.
TTF is the peak industry group for the Tourism, Transport and Aviation sectors and advocates for the public policy interests of the leading corporations and institutions in these sectors. Margy has extensive experience in policy development and advocacy, politics, membership organisations, management, media and public relations. Margy is a passionate advocate and supporter of eco and sustainable tourism in Australia.
Margy has served on a wide range of boards across tourism, sport, theatre and major events, including as deputy chair of Sydney World Pride 2023 Board, NSW TAFE Commission Board and the Deputy Chair of Tourism NSW. Margy’s contributions extend further into the realm of sports and commerce, where she chaired noteworthy events like the International World Masters Games held in Sydney in 2009, showcasing her expertise and dedication to fostering growth and collaboration across diverse sectors. She is currently a member of the Creative Skills Australia (SaCSA) board, Co-Chair of the Tourism Working Group of the Australia New Zealand Leadership Forum (ANZLF) and sits on the Federal Government’s Biosecurity Futures Passenger Facilitation Group.
![Michael Outram APM](https://ttf.org.au/conference/outlook2024/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2024/04/Outram-Speaker-for-Web-300x300.png)
Michael Outram APM
Commissioner | Australian Border Force
Michael Outram was sworn in as the Australian Border Force (ABF) Commissioner in May 2018. Michael has 44 years of experience in a diverse range of law enforcement organisations.
Between 2011 and 2015, as an Australian Federal Police (AFP) Assistant Commissioner, Michael was responsible for the AFP’s national protective security function. Michael also led the AFP’s planning and support for the G20 Summit in Brisbane and the AFP’s response to the downing of Malaysian Airlines Flight 17.
Michael joined the AFP from the Australian Crime Commission where he held the position of Executive Director, Serious and Organised Crime.
Michael’s career in Australia started in 2002 at the Independent Commission Against Corruption in New South Wales (NSW). He migrated to Australia following a secondment in 2000 to the NSW Police Service from the London Metropolitan Police Service, where he joined as a police cadet in 1980.
Michael was awarded the Australian Police Medal in 2014. In 2014 he was also awarded a Master of Business and Technology degree by the University of NSW. In April 2018, Michael completed the Harvard Kennedy School executive programme ‘Leadership in Crises’ having won a Sir James Wolfensohn Public Service Scholarship.
![Katie Page](https://ttf.org.au/conference/outlook2024/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2024/04/Page-Speaker-for-Web-300x300.png)
Katie Page
Co-owner - Magic Millions | Chief Executive Officer - Harvey Norman
Katie Page is the CEO of Harvey Norman. Katie joined the company in 1983 when the retailer had only one retail complex in the Sydney suburb of Auburn. When Harvey Norman was publicly listed in 1987, Katie was appointed as Board Director. Katie was appointed to the role of CEO in February 1999.
Katie’s role has been instrumental in the continued success of the international home and lifestyle retailer. There are over 300 Harvey Norman, Domayne and Joyce Mayne retail complexes throughout Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Malaysia, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Slovenia, and Croatia.
Katie is also:
- A Director of Pertama Holdings Pte Ltd in Singapore since February 2000
- Previously appointed to the boards of Tourism Australia (2020-2023), Museum of Contemporary Art, Place NSW, The Bradman Foundation. In 2005 Page was appointed to the board of the National Rugby League. Her appointment made history as she was the first woman to become a member of a major sporting board in Australia.
- Appointed to the advisory council for The Business Council of Australia’s BizRebuild, a five-year bushfire recovery and rebuilding fund run by business.
- Privately, Page is co-owner of Australia’s leading bloodstock sales company, Magic Millions with her husband, Gerry Harvey.
- Magic Millions is the highest grossing yearling sale in the Southern Hemisphere and home to the third largest breeding stock auction in the world, with auctions and sales operations in Adelaide, Launceston and Perth.
- Magic Millions is world famous and the international market leader for the Magic Millions Carnival, Sale and Race day in January on the Gold Coast. With auction sales’ graduates including Winx and Storm Boy.
- The Magic Millions January 2020 raceday was Australia’s first $10 Million prize money raceday and is home to the world-first Magic Millions Racing Women’s Incentive Bonus. Close to 2000 horses have been purchased or leased by women since the introduction of the Racing Women’s Bonus in 2013.
Katie has a long history in supporting and advocating for women and girls in Australian sport, education and enterprise. Page’s commitment extends beyond NRL to include AFL, AFLW, basketball, Olympic and Paralympic sport.
Katie’s emphasis and commercial support across this spectrum of sports has been focussed on building athlete and team recognition, encouraging participation at every level, creating competition pathways and providing the resources to build a sustainable fan base.
Katie continues to generously support Western Sydney University scholarships to create tertiary education pathways for prospective students, predominantly women from diverse and disadvantaged backgrounds.
![Jono Perry](https://ttf.org.au/conference/outlook2024/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2024/04/Perry-Speaker-for-Web-300x300.png)
Jono Perry
Executive Director - Curatorial | Queensland Performing Arts Centre
Jono has worked in the arts for more than 24 years, the past 14 years in senior management roles. Currently Queensland Performing Arts Centre’s Executive Director – Curatorial, his extensive resume covers commercial theatre operations, major events, creative direction and management, technical direction and production. He has worked for the leading organisations including Brisbane Festival, Opera Australia and Queensland Ballet. In 2021 he was General Manager of Theatre Royal Sydney overseeing the theatre’s refurbishment and grand reopening; previously as Chair of Create NSW Theatre and Musical Theatre Artform Board; and Wharf Renewal Project Director for the $60 million upgrade of Sydney Theatre Company’s home as well as being Director, Technical and Production for the company. In Queensland, Perry was the Creative Director of G20 Cultural Celebrations in 2014, and prior to that producer of multiple Sunsuper Riverfire and Santos GLNG City of Lights events.
![Gabriel Polias](https://ttf.org.au/conference/outlook2024/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2024/06/Gabriel-Polias-300x289.png)
Gabriel Polias
General Manager | Ovolo Woolloomooloo
Gabriel Polias is an accomplished hotelier with over two decades of experience in the hospitality industry. Currently, he serves as the General Manager of the Ovolo Woolloomooloo hotel. Prior to this, Gabriel managed the Ovolo Nishi Hotel in Canberra, where he led operations from March 2021 to November 2023.
Gabriel’s extensive career includes notable positions such as Hotel Manager at Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour and Executive Assistant Manager at Primus Hotel Sydney. He also held the role of Director of Operations at the Sydney Harbour Marriott Hotel, and VIP Food and Beverage Director at Star Casino Sydney.
His international experience is marked by executive roles in Beijing and Shanghai, China, where he worked at prestigious hotels such as the Presidential Hotel, Tangla Beijing, and Radisson Plaza. Gabriel began his journey in food and beverage management, holding key positions at Marriott, Hilton, Intercontinental and Radisson hotels.
Gabriel’s leadership and expertise continue to drive excellence and innovation at Ovolo Woolloomooloo, enhancing guest experiences and setting new standards in hospitality.
![Justin Portelli](https://ttf.org.au/conference/outlook2024/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2024/04/Portelli-Speaker-for-Web-300x300.png)
Justin Portelli
Executive General Manager - Planning Strategy and Community | Melbourne Airport
Mr Portelli joined Melbourne Airport in 2019 and was appointed as the Executive General Manager Strategy, Planning and Community in July 2023. With over 25 years’ experience in corporate strategy, investment analysis and execution, Justin leads the team responsible for defining the organisational strategy, airport and terminal planning, and government and community relations, including the commitment to achieving net zero emissions by 2025. Prior to joining Melbourne Airport, Justin served as the General Manager Corporate Investments at Australia Post and held the position of Director Advisory Consulting at PricewaterhouseCoopers.
![Chloe Surridge](https://ttf.org.au/conference/outlook2024/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2024/04/Surridge-Speaker-for-Web-300x300.png)
Chloe Surridge
Chief Operations Officer | Auckland Airport
Chloe is responsible for the operational performance of the airport system for millions of travellers that use the international and domestic terminals every year, including safety and security measures, efficient processes, and enhanced customer experience in close partnership with airport agencies and airlines.
Previously, Chloe was Air New Zealand’s Group General Manager Airports, a role overseeing 50 airports globally with a workforce of 2000. Other roles also include General Manager Supply Chain for Air New Zealand, CEO of Invercargill Airport and Hotel Director for Carnival Cruise Lines in the United States.
With over 20 years experience in senior leadership roles in the aviation and cruise industries, Chloe brings expertise in operational effectiveness and risk management, people leadership, customer service, stakeholder collaboration and workforce health, safety and wellbeing.
![Emma Terry](https://ttf.org.au/conference/outlook2024/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2024/04/Terry-Speaker-for-Web-300x300.png)
Emma Terry
Chief Executive Officer | South Australian Tourism Commission
Emma Terry is the Chief Executive Officer of the South Australian Tourism Commission commencing the role in January 2023. Prior to joining the SATC Emma was the CMO of Tourism Tasmania and was responsible for the strategic design and development of the demand generation program including the highly regarded ‘Come down for Air’ brand platform and architected the ‘Off Season’ initiative which challenges the perceptions of Australians that winter should be avoided not embraced. Emma also provided strategic leadership in the Agency’s digital transformation, sector plans, and T21 positive impact agenda.
Emma has held a number of senior executive roles in tourism and related industries including hospitality, renewable energy, exporting, and transport. Emma combines these skills and experiences to bring fresh thinking, new ideas, strategies and initiatives that shape destinations, build long-term brands, drive demand and challenge traditional norms.
Emma is an experienced Board Director, sitting on several Boards, including the past Chair of Engender Equality and a Board Director and RAF Committee member for ATDW (Australian Tourism Data Warehouse) after graduating from the Australian Institute of Company Directors in 2012. Emma has also been a mentor for DFAT’s Women in Global Business program.
Acknowledgement of Country
Tourism & Transport Forum stands on the land of the Gadigal clan of the Eora Nation. TTF respectfully acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we work and meet, paying our respects to Elders past, present and emerging.
In the spirit of reconciliation, the Tourism & Transport Forum acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community.