ATEC Symposium 2008 program to kick off Tuesday
The future of the $3.1 billion Australian backpacker tourism industry will come under the spotlight on day one of a national backpacker conference being held tomorrow – Tuesday in Newcastle and The Hunter, according to organisers, ATEC.
More than one hundred influential industry players, decision-makers and tourism product suppliers from across the country will attend the all-day backpacker conference, organised as part of the Australian Tourism Export Council’s (ATEC) Symposium, Australia’s key annual inbound tourism conference.
ATEC Managing Director Matt Hingerty said the backpacker sector is one of the most important elements of the Australian inbound tourism industry, and that a range of top Australian and international speakers had been confirmed for ATEC’s Backpacker Conference, including:
** Innovation: leading into the future – Lance Batty, General Manager, Connections and Sallie Gregory, Marketing Manager, Beaches Backpackers
** Technology at work: digital youth marketing – Chris Borg, IT consultant, IB Solutions and Jessie Desjardins, Marketing Managerm Global Gossip
** Hunter Regional Update – Michelle Cox, Melaleuca Backpackers (representing Port Stephens BOA)
** Retail vs Online travel: Is retail dead? – A panel, including Malcolm O’Brien, Lonely Planet and Chris Guzowski, Director, Travel Apps
** Backpacker Panel – Q&A session between conference delegates and backpackers
“ATEC would like to thank key sponsors Qantas and Tourism New South Wales for their support.”
“Their foresight is a large part of Symposium’s continued success.” “I would also like to thank the Hunter Regional Tourism Organisation, the Cessnock City Council, the Hunter Valley Gardens, Hunter Valley Wine Country Tourism, the Lake Macquarie City Council, Newcastle Airport, the Newcastle City Council and Port Stephens Tourism for their assistance and support,” Mr Hingerty said.
WHAT: ATEC Backpacker conference
WHEN: Tuesday April 29
TIME: 8.30am – 5.30pm
WHERE: Crowne Plaza Hotel, Wharf Road, Newcastle
FULL PROGRAM DETAILS: http://symposium08.atec.net.au/page_var156
A Report by The Mole on location from ther ATEC Backpacker Conference, Newcastle, New South Wales.
John Alwyn-Jones
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