2025 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-9.20am | Welcome & Conference Opening |
| 9.20am – 9.45am | DNC Update Michael Thurston General Manager, Destination North Coast. |
| 9.45am – 10.05am | NSW First, Spotlight on Sustainability and Wellness Sandy Wilkins Product Manager Nature, Sustainability and Wellness, Destination NSW View the presentation here |
| 10.05am – 10.55am | Keynote Address Mark Bouris AM Presentation can be viewed here until 1 November 2025. Use the password Mark163!# to access. |
| 11.00am – 11.15am | MORNING TEA |
| 11.15am – 11.55am | Future Proofing Destination Success in Sustainability Moderated by Dr Meredith Wray Stewart Moore – Earthcheck Cr Sarah Ndiaye – Mayor, Byron Shire Council Pascal Rocher – Crystalbrook Byron |
| 11.55am – 12.05pm | TRANSITION |
| 12.05pm – 12.45pm | Breakout Session #1
Stream 1: Local Legends – Inspiring Tourism Success Stream 2: Inclusive Tourism & Accessibility |
| 12.45pm – 1.45pm | LUNCH |
| 1.45pm – 2.25pm | Breakout Session #2
Stream 1: AI Innovation & Implementation Stream 2: Economy and Market Trends – Impact on Tourism Now & Ahead |
| 2.25pm – 2.35pm | TRANSITION |
| 2.35pm – 2.50pm | Wellness Break Crystal Castle |
| 2.50pm – 3.15pm | Tourism Australia Rob Harding-Smith View the presentation here |
| 3.15pm – 3.45pm | Byron Shire Council |
| 3.45pm – 4.00pm | Bringing it all together Michael Thurston |
Platinum Sponsors
Gold Sponsors
Silver Sponsors
