Time:

8.30am - 5.30pm

Venue:

Crowne Plaza Hotel

Address:

Wharf Road, Newcastle - click here for a map

Program info:

Join us for the third annual ATEC Backpacker Conference Day to hear from key industry speakers on issues and challenges facing one of Australia's key inbound sectors.  - FINAL PROGRAM HERE

MC welcome Conference Welcome
Master of ceremonies - Peter Ovenden, Global Gossip (BTAP Vice Chair)

BTAP Update Backpacker Tourism Advisory Panel Update
Peter Burke, Travellers Autobarn (Chair of BTAP)

TNSW Update
Carmel Beattie, Group Manager International Marketing

Session 1 - INNOVATION - leading into the future
As the pace of change in tourism increases and we adopt web 2.0, hear first hand how other operators have innovated in the past and how they are maneouvering to succeed in the future.

How the backpacker industry is innovating

• Connections - Lance Batty, General Manager - Connections
• Beaches 1982-2008+ - Sallie Gregory, Marketing Manager - Beaches Backpackers Hervey Bay
• Questions & Answers
  
  REGIONAL UPDATE
  Michelle Cox, Melaleuca Backpackers & Rep. of Port Stephens BOA
  The latest developments and issues facing regional tourism operators in Newcastle, Port Stephens and the Hunter.
  
  Session 2 - TECHNOLOGY AT WORK - managing your technology budget, the latest global trends in digital youth marketing and what our customers and employees are doing online.
  Facebook, Skype and blogging who can keep track of it all?  In this session learn how to manage and leverage change in the digital age to allow your business to perform more efficiently, and how to best manage and stretch your IT & online budget.  

• Hardware - What is the best fit for your budget and requiremens -
Chris Borg, IT Consultant - IB Solutions
• Software - what services & software is available for FREE online
• Gen Y - What are your customers doing online - Jesse Desjardins, Marketing Manager - Global Gossip

Session 3 - RETAIL vs ONLINE TRAVEL - Is retail dead?
Hear from both sides of the distribution channel in an ever - changing marketplace. 

Moderator: Malcolm O'Brien - Lonely Planet

Retail Panel:

Session 4 - TOURISM AUSTRALIA UPDATE
Leigh Sorensen, Manager International - West, Tourism Australia

Session 5 - BACKPACKER PANEL
Have your chance to question the panel of backpackers on-stage during an in-depth discussion of their experiences and suggestions on the Australian backpacking industry.

Close Conference Closing session

Networking Drinks  Delegate networking drinks
Will be hosted @ The Brewery, Queens Wharf Newcastle

Parking:

Please note parking is limited within the area, we encourage you to use public transport - Newcastle public transport info

Limited parking is available on Honeysuckle Drive for 4-hour parking at $1.30 per hour Monday to Friday. Honeysuckle Car Park is accessible from Workshop Way.

Dress:

Dress for the workshop day is business attire

Cost:

$350.00 incl GST includes full day conference, morning and afternoon teas and lunch.

Register now:    

Click here to register for the backpacker conference day.