The best destination for travel marketers and the agencies they work with

Graham is a seasoned executive leader with experience working across the global travel, tourism, media and hospitality sectors. The thread that has flown through his career is his passion for marketing and the ever evolving travel distribution and technology landscape.

These interests began with Utell International, at the time the worlds largest hotel reservations and marketing company. They continued after he moved to France to join Disneyland Paris with responsibility for global hotel and resort sales and distribution.

Graham’s love of Australia peaked when he travelled there to attend an annual AFTA conference. He was so impressed that he committed, then and there, to live there one day.

Fast forward a decade and Graham moved to Sydney with his family to take up the role of Chief Executive Officer, Traveland. After five years and having grown the business to be a $1.3B retail travel business with 400 franchisees, he worked with colleagues to convince government(s) and industry to commit $9M to grow domestic tourism. The resulting organisation became See Australia where Graham was CEO. See Australia became one of three organisations amalgamated to form Tourism Australia.

Graham was appointed Managing Director, Classifieds at Fairfax Digital in 2007, where he had first hand experience of the digital revolution and its impact on print. Following, in 2011 Graham was appointed CEO, Inland NSW, following the amalgamation of four smaller regional tourism organisations.

In 2016, Graham collaborated with a group of successful travel start-ups who are set to apply artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning to transform travel distribution. Most recently, Graham was appointed Managing Director, Best Western Hotels & Resorts, Australasia in May 2018.

Graham’s career journey has led him to appreciate the vital role of leadership, culture, innovation and transformation (disruption) in keeping organsations relevant in the ever changing landscape. Community and collaboration is key. To succeed, multinational organisations must maintain an outside looking in customer perspective and always think global but act local.

Brent joined the SATC in November 2015 as a marketing communications specialist with experience in Advertising and Branding, Digital, PR, Sponsorship and Communications across the banking, retail and telecommunications sectors. Since joining the SATC, Brent has been responsible for overseeing $1.6Billion in growth in the tourism visitor economy to date, in the process launching a new global brand for tourism in South Australia, two global TVC campaigns and a digital program that now seessouthaustralia.com attracting over 6Million visitors annually. Brent also oversaw the successful partnerships with Chinese megastar Huang Xiaoming, and Masterchef Australia – including the brand ambassadorship with chef Gary Mehigan. The team continue to develop South Australia as a destination of choice for domestic and global travellers, through a strong focus on digital marketing, partnerships, trade & distribution and traditional marketing.

Susan Coghill joined Tourism Australia in February 2017, bringing 20 years of experience in creative and strategic brand development to the role of General Manager of Creative, Content and Campaigns, based in Sydney.

In this role Susan has responsibility for the delivery of creative assets for Tourism Australia’s global campaigns to attract more high value travellers to Australia. Before devoting her time to the travel and tourism industry and leading the creative behind the latest Dundee campaign, Susan helped change the face of many blue-chip brands. Working in an agency environment, Susan gained a wealth of experience with high profile clients such as Qantas, News Corp and Westpac. She was also one of the handful of people lucky enough to have worked on the single most referenced campaign in the industry ‘Think different’ by Apple.

Susan’s extensive creative agency experience has seen her develop successful brands, that enable businesses to not only excel but also help to shape their culture from the inside. Her switch to working in a client-side role has funded her passion to drive results from the inside and continue to build Australia’s tourism brand internationally.

Michael Ritchie is the Managing Director/ Executive Producer and co-owner of Revolver/Will O’Rourke an Australian based production company known for its commitment to produce work that people seem to remember and hopefully like.

Michael began his career in agencies, Head of Broadcast at Ogilvy in Sydney, then a more regional gig at DDB HK. From there he moved into production side and in 1999 saw his most successful collaboration when he joined and later became partner with Steve Rogers at Revolver.

He has been involved in international juries at every major advertising show including Cannes Lions, D&AD, LIA, Ciclope and has twice been chairman of the Craft Jury at AWARD Awards.

In 2018, Revolver/Will O’Rourke were awarded runner-up for the prestigious Palme d’Or at Cannes Lions, the first Australian production company to ever do so. They won Ciclope Asia Production Company of the year and were ranked 4th in the world by D&AD. On home soil they also took home AWARD Award’s prestigious Production Company of the Year & most recently B&T Production Company of the year.

Michael and Steve together with Martha Coleman have also launched REVLOVER, a new TV & Feature Film production company.

Jim has been a creative leader for some of Australia’s most respected agencies, creating some of the country’s best known and most effective communications and helping to lead 3 separate agencies to Australian Agency of the Year along the way. His work has consistently won creative awards at every major global advertising award show, and in 2009 his commercial for Schweppes titled ‘Burst’ was the second most awarded television commercial in the world. He has judged and chaired multiple international award shows, has spoken on stage at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity and helped nurture the next generation of talent by chairing the highly regarded Australian creative education program, AWARD School. Despite being an industry recognised creative talent, Jim still struggles with writing his own bio.

Chris began his career seven years ago, but don’t let his tenure fool you. He is one of the industry’s most respected and awarded strategists; winning everything from Global Cannes Young Lions, B&T 30under30, to Campaign Asia’s Young Achiever and Strategic Brand Planner of the Year.

Currently the head of strategy at UM Australia, Chris has helped some of the country’s most prestigious brands take the brave leaps necessary to impact culture and grow their brands. This involved leading some of the most famous and effective campaigns in recent years, such as Meat and Livestock Australia’s Spring Lamb, LEGO’s Star of Christmas and Tourism Australia’s Aussie News Today and Dundee.

Outside of Tourism Australia, Chris also has a raft of tourism experience, having worked on Destination NSW, Tourism and Events Queensland, and the Australian Government’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Bio coming soon…

Carolyn Childs is a Travel Futurist, Strategist and Co-Founder of MyTravelResearch.com. Carolyn has spent more than 25 years helping travel and tourism businesses achieve their goals by using research and other evidence to guide strategy and planning. She has worked in more than 35 countries on every inhabited continent and brings a detailed understanding of customers and how to connect with them.

With over 15 years experience in the media and marketing industry, Kim McKay has directed award-winning national and international campaigns that have not only garnered vast amounts of attention but have also correlated into considerable revenue increases.

In 2008, Kim launched Klick Communications, a digital focused communications agency. Ten years later, Klick Communications has expanded with offices in Los Angeles, Honolulu and Sydney and boasts thriving luxury, travel, entertainment and consumer portfolios. Klick specializes in driving communications to get excellent and sustainable business results. Klick Communications prides itself on finding the best ways to engage with audiences and pioneering new communication channels to build a brands influence.

Kim’s dynamic, creative and innovative approach to communications is what sets her apart.

A passionate technology advocate, Kim’s current obsessions are Artificial Intelligence, the power of earned media and ensuring that storytelling and content is delivered in a fresh, intelligent, compelling and relevant way.

Jesse is the creator of the Guest Experience Map and is a leading advisor to the global travel industry. Jesse leads a consultancy that develops tools and methodologies for brands in hospitality and travel. During his seven-year tenure at Tourism Australia, Jesse and his team spoke to millions daily via Tourism Australia’s digital platforms, and created strategies that made Australia the leading destination on social media. Named as one of Skift’s most-influential people in travel, Jesse has accumulated several industry accolades, including 3 Cannes Lions, and has collaborated with leading brands and innovators in the business, including Facebook, GoPro, DJI, Buzzfeed and City of Sydney. Jesse has shared his knowledge at various conferences around the world and holds an MBA with a focus in Creative Leadership.

Justin is in his 10th year as Chief Executive Officer of Avalon Airport.

Recently Avalon Airport became Victoria’s second international airport with AirAsia commencing double daily flights to Kula Lumpur. This will generate an additional 500,000 passengers through Avalon and takes the annual passenger throughput to over 1.3 million.

Avalon also hosts Jetstar domestic services, is the host of the Australian International Air Show and houses the 35,000 square metre global distribution centre for Cotton On.

Justin is also the Chair of the Gordon TAFE (the 2017 Australian and Victorian Large Training Provider of the Year), the Independent Chair of both the Youth Justice Centre Community Advisory Group and the Lara Prison expansion project Community Advisory Group and a board member of the Committee for Geelong.

Justin is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, holds a Masters of Business Administration, a Bachelor of Commerce, a Gordon Advanced Diploma of Management and is a qualified Aircraft Maintenance Engineer.

Emily is a passionate media specialist with over 20 years award-winning experience in content and marketing strategies across TV, radio, print and digital.

She is accomplished across a broad range of industry sectors including Travel, Entertainment, FMCG and Media. Emily has  split her career between London, Paris, Sydney and Melbourne working for blue-chip companies such as Luxury Escapes, Southern Cross Austereo, Nova Entertainment, ITV, Huffington Post, BBC and Bauer Media.

Lauren is Co-Founder of Storyation – a content marketing agency that counts Tourism New Zealand and Carnival Cruises among its clients. She is a former General Manager of Travel for Fairfax Media ­where she worked  with major travel brands on content-led advertising solutions. Lauren was once an award-winning journalist who covered everything from people smuggling to September 11 for publications such as The Sunday Times in London before taking a much less life-threatening job. She regularly judges media and marketing award shows in Australia including ADMA, BEFest and Publish and was named one of the top 15 women in the world in content marketing in 2015. When she’s not helping travel clients, she continues her quest to visit every Australian island writing travel stories for Qantas magazine among others.

Andrés is a marketing consultant specialising in travel, destination and digital marketing and the Head of Strategy at Storyation. Until mid 2017 he steered the global content strategy for one of the world’s most respected tourism organisations, Tourism Australia, where he implemented a data-first approach. During his tenure, Australia.com was rated amongst 25 of the best websites in the world by leading travel industry publisher, Skift. Before he worked in destination marketing Andrés held senior agency roles working on marketing and communications programs for brands such as Pfizer, PlayStation, Commonwealth Bank of Australia, Sony, Coca-Cola, Lenovo, Nespresso and more. Andrés is also a lover of (making and eating) baked goods, comic books, video games and the internet’s most famous export, cats.

Sam has over 25 years experience in senior management roles across Australia, the United States and Asia, at companies including eBay (10 years, from start-up management team in Australia, Finance Director and New Ventures Category Manager in the US to Director of Southeast Asia) and iiNet as CMO. Prior to Airbnb, Sam was General Manager and advisor to US-based Dollar Shave Club’s Australian business.

He now resides in Sydney with his family and Jet, the black dog.

You can follow Sam on Twitter @smcd_aus

Susan Bonner was appointed VP and Managing Director of the Australian and New Zealand operations of RCL Cruises in June 2018. Bonner leads a team of 70 employees and oversees all commercial and operational activities in Australia and New Zealand for the company’s three cruise brands: Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and Azamara Club Cruises.

Bonner has been with Royal Caribbean International since 2008. Prior to her current position as VP and Managing Director, Bonner was the Vice President of Revenue Management and Onboard Revenue for modern luxury cruise line Celebrity Cruises. Bonner oversaw a team of more than 40 employees responsible for the pricing and inventory strategy of the brand’s robust cruise holiday portfolio; as well as core onboard operations, including retail shops, spa and wellness facilities, internet, casinos, shore excursions and more.

Bonner has over 15 years of experience in the cruise industry, including numerous leadership roles. She previously led the revenue management and onboard revenue performance of sister brand Royal Caribbean during the line’s major introduction of the widely acclaimed ship Quantum of the Seas in 2014. She was also involved in the introduction of the brand’s industry-changing Solstice Class ships and revitalisation of its Millennium class.

Bonner pursued her higher education studying Marketing at Tulane University in New Orleans.

Laura Clarke is a British-born, Sydney-based, multi-award winning communications director and co-founder of the Palau Legacy Project which launched the Palau Pledge: a world-first sustainable tourism initiative to protect and preserve the fragile environment and ancient culture of the Pacific island nation of Palau.

The Palau Pledge has gained global recognition for its innovative approach to changing visitor attitudes and behaviour toward conservation of the environment. In addition, it was the most awarded communications campaign in the world in 2018. Other countries and destinations are now following Palau’s example and adopting versions of the Pledge scheme, including Hawaii and New Zealand.

Prior to moving to Palau with her husband, Laura held senior communications roles in London, Hong Kong and Sydney, creating campaigns for some of the world’s largest brands. Soon after arriving in Palau, Laura and the Palau Legacy Project team identified the environmental challenges facing the island nation and knew they could put their strategic communications backgrounds to good use – helping preserve Palau for the next generation. Laura is also a best-selling author and now splits her time between Sydney and Palau.

As a senior industry figure with more than 30 years of experience, Deb Fox has played a major role in the growth of the Australian travel market, most notably in developing traveller’s appetites for river and small ship cruising with the APT Travel Group (ATG) and has a personal passion for developing good leaders and strong performing teams. As the Chief Commercial Officer for ATG, Deb fosters marketing communication innovation in the changing and evolving landscape of customer segments, needs and the travel space, through a customer centric approach.

Adrian Swift was appointed Nine’s Head of Content Production & Development in 2016.

His role involves working with internal teams and external production partners to commission and develop programs that embody Nine’s brand and attract broad, mainstream audiences. He works across on-air, digital and social media to ensure Nine’s programs reach the biggest possible audience wherever they are.

Adrian’s career spans production and journalism roles in Australia and abroad, including The Sydney Morning Herald, Endemol, Mirror Group Newspapers, the BBC, ITV, SBS and the ABC.

He was the founding producer of Australia’s most successful travel show, Getaway, which was the first commercial television format in Australia to a launch a website in 1994.

Bio coming soon…

Philippa Walker is the Head of Travel for Nine, previously Fairfax Media. Philippa has spent more than 25 years in the travel industry in senior sales and marketing management roles leading teams in the hotel, wholesale and river cruising categories. With a passion for ensuring travel brands have a connection to Australian consumers by aligning them with the right media choices to create a full marketing funnel approach led by strategic partnerships, Philippa is a big believer in the wonder of travel. Her own passion for travel was ignited at the age of 17 after living in France for a year as an exchange student and she now wants to ensure her children also love the joy travel can bring to their lives.

With 20 years of international advertising experience across the UK, France, the US and Australia, Harry has certainly travelled. Before joining Genero, a global video production platform, he held senior positions at a number of creative agencies across these markets. Throughout his career he has supported a variety of clients in the travel space including Visit Jamaica, Qatar Airways, Destination NSW and of course, Tourism New Zealand.

Bhavika is a social media manager with almost 10 years of experience in the field. She has managed social media for Pumpkin Patch, ASB and is currently with Tourism New Zealand. In her role at Tourism New Zealand she oversees one of the country’s largest social media communities and engages with visitors from all over the world.

Quentin Long cofounded Australia’s largest travel media company, Australian Traveller Media in 2005.

The company’s founding product, Australian Traveller magazine quickly became the best selling travel magazine in the country.

Known for its editorial independence, savvy reporting and supreme photography, Long quickly became a sought after media commentator on travel. From 2006 he has held weekly radio segments across the country and regular TV appearances commentating on issues and destinations for news and lifestyle programs.

He currently has a regular segment on TV with CH9’s Today program and is seen on Ch9’s A Current Affair and News programs. He also is a regular guest on several ABC radio programs and Macquarie Radio Network through 2GB and affiliated networks.

In 2012 he launched International Traveller, which went on to eclipse sister title Australian Traveller as the best selling travel magazine in the country.

The company also produce bespoke travel and lifestyle content for Australia’s leading travel clients under the Travellers Studio brand.

Justin Jamieson is the founder and Managing Director of Grin Creative, a design and content agency with a particular focus on travel. In 2004, he founded the award winning get lost Magazine, a 120+ page glossy travel magazine focusing on the growing demographic of flashpackers seeking unique, boutique experiential travel.

Grin Creative also publish the recently launched Luxury Escapes Magazine, National Geographic Traveller (with Adventure World) and Avalon Airport’s custom publication Avalon Inbound/Outbound.

Justin can be heard discussing travel trends weekly on 2GB’s Chris Smith Afternoon show and is a regular on the top rating 3AW travel and food program A Moveable Feast including co hosting. He can also be heard on the Austereo networks, 2UE and ABC nationally as well as guest spots on major TV networks and a regular guest on Sky News Travel.

He is also currently hosting The Travel Show on Saturday afternoons on 3AW in Victoria, 2GB in NSW and 4CR in Queensland

He is obsessed with travelling.

With over 20 years’ experience in media and content marketing Simon Smith joined News Corp Australia in March 2017 to launch the company’s content agency, Suddenly. As executive director, content marketing at News Corp and as head of Suddenly, Mr Smith is responsible for the content marketing strategy and initiatives across multiple platforms to drive new revenue and partnerships. He works closely with News Corp Australia’s established content marketing, custom publishing and commercial content businesses across the country. Mr Smith joined News from Fairfax Media where he was managing director of their content marketing division for three years and during this time he launched their in-house content marketing studio. Mr Smith has worked in the Australian media industry across commercial, marketing, editorial, radio, television, print, events and digital, holding numerous senior positions with News Corp Australia and PBL. He was also on the board of NewsMediaWorks. As an industry expert he is regularly invited to present at events and conferences around the country on content marketing.

Bio coming soon

A magazine editor with 25 years’ experience in lifestyle media, Trudi has edited Sunday Life, delicious, Vogue Entertaining & Travel and MasterChef Magazine. Her most recent experience has been in the digital space working in content-driven commerce and launching thestore.com.au.

Trudi returned to a full-time editorial role in 2018, taking up the newly created position of Publishing Director across Traveller and Good Food, with responsibility for the brands across all platforms.

Lynn Qu joined Trip.com in July 2018 and serves as the Vice President of Product and Retail.  Prior to this, she was based in London and led Global Programmatic Marketing Product for HomeAway, an Expedia company and one of the world’s largest online vacation rental provider. Ms. Qu started her career in the Online Travel Agency (OTA) space at Expedia, in Bellevue, Washington, where she worked her way from software development intern to Senior Director of Technology for Lodging Shopping, Pricing, and Sort.

Her extensive experience in the industry and strong international background brought her to Trip.com, a young OTA where she is leading the effort to bring a wide range of travel products, award-winning app experience, and world-class service to global customers.

Ms. Qu is a graduate of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where she earned Bachelor and Master degrees in Electrical Engineering & Computer Science.

Bronwyn White is the world’s #1 authority on the seniors travel sector. She is the CEO of New Young Consulting a market research and marketing agency that specialises in the seniors travel sector. She shows her clients how to meet the changing needs, values and attitudes of the “New Young” and how forge profitable ongoing relationships with this truly disruptive market.

Richard leads FutureBrand’s commitment in Asia-Pacific to creating brands for future business. As a brand and marketing leader with experience across multiple sectors, including travel and tourism, he has contributed to many brand transformation programs – having working with countries, governments, listed companies, private equity firms and internal change management teams.

With a degree in Litterae Humaniores from Oxford University, he started his career in Bangkok as an account planner before switching to media planning in London and then brand strategy on his arrival in Australia in 2001. He has contributed to a wide range of significant branding programs, all in the name of creating a positive future and many of which have been awarded by Cannes Lions, Brand New, REBRAND and D&AD.

Gianluca Armando is a director at Expedia Group Media Solutions where he drives business development including the creation and implementation of digital media campaigns for travel marketing partners across Asian and Pacific Coasts. He started his career as an intern at Expedia Group, and over the last 10 years he has gained global experience working in a variety of countries including Italy, Spain, the UK, Australia, and Singapore. Gianluca graduated with a master’s degree in tourism economics and management from Ca’ Foscari University in Venice, and now lives in Singapore with his family.