5pm - 6.30pm

Pre-Summit Welcome drinks

Venue: Sunset Bar, Sudima Auckland City

8.00am

Registration opens 

Enjoy a coffee from the Air New Zealand Coffee Cart

Venue: Cordis Auckland

8.45am

Mihi Whakatau

Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei 

8.55am

Summit welcome - MC

Jenny-May Clarkson

9.00am

Introduction 

Rebecca Ingram, CEO, Tourism Industry Aotearoa 

9.15am

Ministerial address

Hon. Matt Doocey, Minister for Tourism and Hospitality

9.30am

Tātaki Auckland Unlimited

Annie Dundas, Director Destination, Tātaki Auckland Unlimited

9.40am

Air New Zealand  

Leanne Geraghty, Chief Customer and Sales Officer, Air New Zealand

9.55am

Tourism New Zealand

René de Monchy, Chief Executive, Tourism New Zealand

10.20am

Morning tea

10.45am

Turning Visitors into Raving Brand Fans
Amanda Stevens

Join one of Australia’s renowned thought-leaders on visitor experience and learn the new rules of destination marketing, how to engineer an epic visitor experience, and how to turn satisfied visitors into passionate advocates.  

Amanda’s captivating storytelling, practical strategies and infectious energy will leave you buzzing with ideas and ready to take action. 

11.30am 

How Technology and Changing Demographics are Reimagining Social Experiences 
Frances Valintine CNZM - Founder & Board Director, academyEX 

From the early days of the first websites to deeply immersive shared digital experiences, the way people embrace social interaction has become more personalised, connected and likely to be judged by others. These shifts, combined with the rise of the conscious consumer, the circular economy, slow consumption and the desire for authentic experiences, have made it even harder to know where to invest hard-earned investment dollars. Frances will open the Panadora's Box of Tourism in 2024 and beyond, as experiences become an extension of self, personal values and social identity.

12.00pm 

How business leaders are thinking about their VX strategy in a changing world 

Join us for an engaging panel discussion and hear from industry business leaders on how they’re navigating the evolving landscape of visitor experience (VX). Gain valuable perspectives and takeaways that can enhance your own VX strategy.  

Panelists include: 

• Nigel Hobbs, Co-Founder and Managing Director, Tourism Innovation Group (TIG) 
• Geoff McDonald, CEO, Skyline Enterprises 
• Penny Nelson, Director General, Department of Conservation  

If time permits, there will be the opportunity for Q&A. 

12.30pm 

Lunch

1.30pm - 2.10pm

Focus Sessions

Boost tourism productivity through strong governance 

Strong governance is key for businesses of all sizes. Join us to learn the key principles of strong governance and hear from our expert panelists, who will offer practical insights into how good governance from small to large businesses can drive productivity and growth.   

Panelists include: 

• Jason Hill, Managing Director, Tourism Talent (Host) 
• Dame Kerry Prendergast, Chair of TIA Board 
• Kirsten Patterson, CE, Institute of Directors 
• Grant Lilly, Chair of Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools and Spa, and Rainbows End 

Visitor Experience Design 
Brad Rowe, TourismxDesign 

Smart tourism leaders know that a great visitor experience is tied to the success of their business. But have you ever been taught how experience design really works?  

Better-than-the-rest visitor experiences rarely happen by chance. They are often carefully architected using key principles that can be applied to any business.  

In this session, Brad will explore the essential principles of visitor experience design. 

Key topics will include identifying and enhancing memorable moments, integrating emotional connections to boost visitor satisfaction, and employing innovative, unconventional thinking to elevate visitor experiences.  

This interactive session will provide practical strategies that can be implemented in your business, offering actionable insights without the need for big budgets.  

Inclusive Tourism: The value of creating greater experiences for accessibility and LGBTQ+ visitors 

Join leading inclusion experts Emily Steele from Be.Lab and Martin King from Pride Pledge for an informative session exploring the value of the both the access visitor and the LGBTQ+ visitor. Discover why these markets matter, the potential they offer and leave with practical tips on creating an inclusive visitor experience. 

There will be an opportunity for Q&A during this session.

2.10pm - 2.20pm

Room transition

2.20pm - 3pm

Focus Sessions

The above sessions repeat

3pm

Afternoon tea

3.15pm 

Welcome to afternoon sessions - MC

Summit Talks

10-minute, TEDx-style presentations by industry leaders designed to inspire and ignite fresh ideas, share insights, innovations and stories.

3.20pm

Nicola Nation, CEO, Ākina
The power of impact: how understanding your impact can grow your business and enhance your visitor experience. 

3.30pm

Toko Kapea, CEO, Pounamu Pathway 

3.40pm

Will Cannon, Experience Supervisor, Wētā Workshop Unleashed 

3.50pm

Closing Keynote speaker - James Shaw

4.20pm

Summit closing - MC

4.30pm

Summit ends

6.30pm

Pre-dinner drinks

Venue: Cordis Auckland

7pm - 11pm

New Zealand Tourism Awards dinner

Venue: Cordis Auckland

Join us as we showcase and celebrate the tourism industry’s individual and business successes of 2024!