Adam McEwan is a tourism entrepreneur known for pioneering luxury and sustainable travel experiences in the UAE. After visiting 140 countries, he built a career across cruise and airline tourism before co-founding Platinum Heritage and later Hero Experiences Group. His ventures blend cultural authenticity with environmental responsibility, helping redefine high-end adventure tourism globally.

Christina Leala-Gale is the Sustainable Tourism Manager at the Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO), a role she has held since 2017. In this position, she spearheads SPTO’s efforts to empower its Pacific Island Member Countries in destination stewardship and management. Christina is instrumental in driving the implementation of the Pacific Sustainable Tourism Policy Framework to support regional tourism collaboration for achieving national development goals as well as the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda and key regional and national priorities.

Timothy Teo leads Borneo Eco Tours and its sister lodges Sukau Rainforest Lodge and Utan Rainforest Lodge in Borneo. A former civil engineer with an MBA from the Australian Graduate School of Management, he has spent over 15 years advancing sustainable wildlife tourism and pioneering award-winning rainforest lodge experiences in Malaysia.

Amy Gash, Executive General Manager of Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort, grew up on the Great Barrier Reef and has built her career around sustainable tourism and environmental stewardship. With a tourism degree and extensive hands-on experience across island operations, she is passionate about creating meaningful visitor experiences while protecting the natural environment. Amy is a strong advocate for industry leadership, storytelling and reef conservation, using her platform to inspire future generations and promote sustainable tourism practices across Australia.

Curtis McGrath is a Paralympic gold medallist, Australian Paralympic Team co-captain and Board Director of Paralympics Australia. After a life-changing injury during his service as an Australian Army combat engineer in Afghanistan, Curtis discovered Para-canoe and went on to become one of Australia’s most successful Paralympians, with multiple world titles and three consecutive Paralympic gold medals. Beyond sport, Curtis is a passionate advocate for accessibility and inclusion, with a strong focus on how tourism and destination design can better welcome people of all abilities.

Daniel Walsh is the co-founder of Reforest, a restoration-focused technology platform that helps destinations, travel businesses and visitors contribute to high-quality ecosystem restoration. A former management consultant turned social entrepreneur, Daniel founded Reforest after his own travels left him with a growing conviction that giving back to the places we visit shouldn’t feel like an obligation; it should feel meaningful. Today, Reforest works with leading destinations, travel companies and event organisers, funds over 50+ projects around the world and has planted over 8 million trees.

David Young is the Director of Sustainability at Accor, where he leads sustainability strategy across 400+ hotels in Australia, New Zealand and Fiji. A globally experienced ESG and commercial sustainability executive, David has held senior roles at Qantas, Air New Zealand and the Oneworld Alliance, and serves on boards including YHA Australia and the IATA Sustainability Council. David brings deep expertise in embedding ESG at scale, building commercial partnerships and driving programs that deliver environmental, social and business impact across aviation and hospitality sectors.

Elissa has extensive executive experience across tourism, aviation, government and peak bodies, including roles with Queensland Airports Limited, Airservices Australia, Virgin Australia, the REIQ and Surf Life Saving. She is a Board Director of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority and a former Director of Reef Check Australia, supporting marine conservation through citizen science. Elissa has contributed widely to the industry as a judge for multiple tourism awards and is a strong advocate for women in leadership, with extensive governance experience and advanced qualifications in business and company directorship.

Fiona has over 20 years of experience in Great Barrier Reef protection, government policy, science, industry stewardship, environmental education and engagement. Day-to-day Fiona leads an incredible team of professionals that work with communities, local government and industry on targeted programs designed to increase environmental awareness and stewardship. This includes the Local Marine Advisory Committees, Tourism Reef Advisory Committee, High Standard Tourism Operators, Master Reef Guides, Reef Guardian Schools, Reef Guardian Councils and Eye on the Reef programs.

Garrett Tyler-Parker is Director of Analysis & Insights at Tourism Research Australia, where he turns complex data into practical insights for the tourism sector. With 15+ years’ experience in market research and strategy across Australia and Thailand, Garrett has held senior roles in the private sector, local and federal government.

Jessica Keen has worked in the tourism industry for nearly 30 years. Jessica’s career includes roles in private and public sector tourism organisations, both within Australia and overseas including Tourism Australia. Jessica specialised in food and wine tourism and worked for Restaurant & Catering Australia for 12 years where she managed consumer marketing partnerships; the Savour Australia brand; and the development of the wine list awards. In addition, Jessica is a former Board Member for Tourism Training Australia. Most recently Jessica is ATEC’s National Industry Development & Capability Manager developing and implementing several training programs nationally.

Kristy Malapa is General Manager of Untamed Escapes, an Australian tour operator delivering nature, wildlife and cultural experiences across South Australia, Western Australia and the Northern Territory. With two decades in tourism, including Tourism Australia, she champions regenerative tourism that protects ecosystems, supports communities and strengthens Indigenous partnerships. Kristy is passionate about using tourism as a force for good and believes the future of travel lies in experiences that give back more than they take. 

Lauren Caverley leads sustainability initiatives at Tourism Australia. Her work focuses on supporting the sustainable growth of Australia’s tourism industry, helping businesses respond to changing traveller expectations and encouraging more sustainable practices across the sector, including through Tourism Australia’s Green is Our Gold initiative.

With 27+ years in tourism, Michael Thurston is General Manager of Destination North Coast. His experience spans product, marketing, and destination management across Australia and overseas, including roles with Destination Gold Coast, STA Travel, Thomas Cook UK, and Insider Journeys, alongside business ownership in accommodation and holiday rentals.

Nicole is Chief Regenerative Officer at WWF‑Australia, leading the organisation’s strategy to Regenerate Nature by 2030. A proud Wiradjuri woman with over 20 years’ leadership experience, she champions First Nations knowledge, community perspectives, innovation, and sustainability to drive positive environmental and social change across Australia and the Pacific.

Penny Spoelder is an internationally recognised sustainable tourism and climate resilience expert with over 20 years’ experience across Australia and the Pacific. She advises global organisations and governments, translating frameworks into practical, locally led solutions, and leads Global Instinct Consulting while serving as Senior Associate at TRC Tourism.

Robert, a Nhanda Yamaji man, brings over 38 years of experience in the hospitality and tourism industry. Since becoming CEO of the Western Australian Indigenous Tourism Operators Council (WAITOC) in 2015, he has led the successful delivery of the Aboriginal Tourism Development Program, supporting the growth of 39 new Aboriginal businesses across Western Australia. A strong advocate for the sector, Robert has worked closely with government to help secure $40 million in investment for Aboriginal tourism nationwide. He has also served on the National Indigenous Tourism Advisory Group to the NIAA, where he continues to champion meaningful change across the country.

Soraya Rankine is a proud Ngarrindjeri and Narungga woman, from South Australia. Her career has largely focused on empowering and supporting Aboriginal people and communities, including her time at the South Australian Tourism Commission as Manager Aboriginal and Experience Development. She is a current board member of the South Australian Aboriginal Tourism Operators Council (SAATOC) and a member of Austrade’s National First Nations Visitor Economy Partnership. She brings her diverse knowledge and experience to the tourism industry to support impactful and positive change.

Tai Lennon is a sustainability and tourism leader with over a decade of executive experience. Previously with the Morris Group, Tai has led Ecotourism and Climate Action Certifications across multiple premium tourism properties and developed the group’s first sustainability strategy and Modern Slavery Statement. Tai now works with tourism and hospitality operators to transform sustainability data into operational and commercial advantage.