Confirmed speakers at this time include the following:
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.
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
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
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
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
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
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
Chair | Tourism & 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.
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.
Sara King
General Manager of Purpose | Intrepid AU
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
Liesl Tesch AM MP
Member for Gosford | Parliamentary Secretary for Disability Inclusion
Liesl Tesch is the Member for Gosford in the New South Wales Parliament. In 2023, Liesl was appointed as Parliamentary Secretary for Families and Communities and Parliamentary Secretary for Disability Inclusion.
Before politics, Liesl spent 20 years teaching, including at her local public school, Brisbane Water Secondary College, Woy Woy.
Liesl is also an Australian Paralympic champion, competing at seven Paralympic Games, winning two gold medals in sailing, two silver medals and a bronze medal for basketball.
In 2014, Liesl was awarded a Member of the Order of Australia, for her significant service to sport and promotion and facilitation of sport for people with disabilities.
Liesl has also been inducted into the NSW and Australian Basketball Hall of Fame and is proud to be the Regional Champion for Australia as a Commonwealth Parliamentarian with a Disability.
Lucelle Veneros
Executive Director - Australian Passport Office | Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Lucelle Veneros joined the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) in February 2023 as the Executive Director of the Australian Passport Office.
Lucelle has more than 20 years’ experience working across several agencies in Commonwealth and state government in the fields of health, ageing, social services and disability.
In 2019, Lucelle was appointed acting Deputy Secretary of the Shared Services Transformation Initiative. Prior to this appointment, Lucelle headed up the Service Delivery Office, where she was responsible for the digitalisation, standardisation and transformation of corporate services for 16 Commonwealth entities.
Lucelle is passionate about building a service culture that’s driven by quality. Her interests include how digital technology and data can shape the way we work, live and transform modern services for customers and staff.
Timothy Jolley
Chief Strategy and Performance Officer | Tennis Australia
Biography to be provided as soon as possible.
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.
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.