2025 Symposium Program

North Coast Tourism Symposium Program

Thursday 31 July 2025

The theme of this year’s Symposium is Inspire! Shaping Tomorrow’s Visitor Economy.

What defines innovation? Where can we pull inspiration from to evolve our offering to align with future demand? How can your experience(s) be more memorable, authentic, and unique? Can local stories, culture, and history be meaningfully woven into what you deliver?

The 2025 North Coast Tourism Symposium explores the future of tourism through the lens of innovation, personalisation, and purposeful visitor engagement. Under the theme Inspire! Shaping Tomorrow’s Visitor Economy, this year’s program brings together leading voices to challenge and inspire. Keynote speaker Mark Bouris AM, renowned Australian entrepreneur and changemaker, will headline a program that provokes fresh thinking on value creation, destination leadership, and the power of experience in a competitive landscape.

Join us for a day of insight, inspiration, and practical ideas that will shape how we welcome and connect with tomorrow’s visitors.

Symposium program

TIME

PROGRAM

8.30am – 8.45am REGISTRATION OPEN – tea and coffee available
9.00am-9.25am Welcome & Conference Opening
9.25am – 9.50am DNC Update- Michael Thurston General Manager, Destination North Coast.
9.50am – 10.10am Opportunities in Sustainability
10.10am – 11.00am KeynoteMark Bouris AM
11.00m – 11.20am MORNING TEA
11.20am – 12.00pm Panel Discussion and Q&A
12.00pm – 12.10 pm TRANSITION
12.10pm – 12.50pm Breakout Session #1 (Two topics to choose from)
12.50pm – 1.50pm LUNCH
1.50pm – 2.35pm Breakout Session #2 (Two topics to choose from)
2.35pm – 2.45pm TRANSITION
2.45pm – 3.00pm Local Performer (TBD)
3.00pm – 3.25pm Tourism Australia – Rob Harding-Smith 
3.25pm – 3.55pm Byron Shire Council
3.55pm – 4.00pm Bringing it all together – Michael Thurston

 

Platinum Sponsors

Reflections

Gold Sponsors

tourism australia

Silver Sponsors

Earth Check