Accessible and Inclusive Tourism Conference 2024 Program
Attendees are encouraged to continue to check the event website, as the program and timing may change.
8:00 AM – 9:00 AM
Registration, Networking and Breakfast Canapes
Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre (MCEC) – Sovereign Room, Level 1
Welcome to Country
Murrundindi, Wurundjeri Ngurungaeta
Minister's Address
Minister Steve Dimopoulos MP, Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events
Official Welcome
Felicia Mariani, Chief Executive Officer, Victoria Tourism Industry Council
Yasmine Gray, Founder, GetAboutAble
Gemma Axford, General Manager, GetAboutAble
Inclusive Employment
Carla Giuca, Head, Visitor Economy Capability, Workforce and EMDG Policy, Austrade
The "Deaf Chef"
Facilitated by: Felicia Mariani, Chief Executive Officer, Victoria Tourism Industry Council
Emad Seyam, The Deaf Chef, Mail Exchange Hotel
Nici Nicholson, Hotel Manager, Mail Exchange Hotel
Sponsor Address
Councillor Jamal Hakim, City of Melbourne
Melbourne Accessibility Showcase
Facilitated by: Felicia Mariani, Chief Executive Officer, Victoria Tourism Industry Council
Alexandra Rolton, Strategic Sales and Key Account Manager, Brady Hotels and Apartments
Rohan Astley, Head of Advocacy, Impact and Reputation, Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre
Asher Nowlan, Diversity and Inclusion Lead, Melbourne Cricket Club
Short Break
Voices of Inclusive Travel
Jamie Griego, Director of Account Management for Australia, Expedia
Co-designing Accessible and Inclusive Experiences
Facilitated by: Carolyn Childs, CEO, MyTravelResearch
Bern Walker, Beach Access Project Officer, Accessible Beaches
Tara MacLeod, Executive Director Operations & Finance, Adelaide Fringe
James (Buck) McFarlane, Founder & Managing Director, Cocky Guides Australia
Pathway to Accessibility
Frances Riggs, Access and Inclusion Consultancy Manager, GetAboutAble
12:30 PM – 1:20 PM
Lunch and Networking
Sponsor Address
Natalie O’Brien AM, Chief Executive, Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre
From Insight to Action, Driving Impact.
Wendi Pearce, Head of Travellers Experience, Melbourne Airport
Communicating Accessibility
Nicola Hamilton, Speech Pathologist and Communication Access Team Coordinator and Brandon Tomlin, Communication Access Assessor, Scope
Jenny Odgers, General Manager Corporate Responsibility, Metro Trains Melbourne
Stephen Jolley, Chair, Metro Trains Melbourne Accessibility Reference Group
Inclusive Tourism
Bede Fennell, Executive General Manager, Corporate Affairs, Government & Industry, Tourism Australia
Inclusive Marketing
Facilitated by: Hailey Brown, CEO, Vacayit
Sally Scott, General Manager, The Tweed Tourism Company
Emily Hopwood, Sales and Marketing Manager, West Coast Wilderness Railway
Accessible and Inclusive Tourism: A Global Perspective
Presented by: Martin Heng, Head of Content, Vaycayit
Q&A Facilitated by: Jessica Keen, National Manager – Industry Development & Capability, Australian Tourism Export Council
3:45 PM – 4:05 pm
Afternoon Tea
Emergency Preparedness in Hospitality and Tourism.
Bruce Bromley, Managing Director, EvacuLife
Cérge. Advanced Technology for Accessible Tourism
Christopher Kerrisk, Co-Founder, Cérge
Excellence in Accessible Events
Arnie Bax, Business Development Manager, Travellers Aid
Your Questions Answered
Hear from a panel of passionate travellers with a range of accessibility requirements.
Session Sponsor: Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions
Facilitated by Sally Scott, General Manager, Tweed Tourism Company
Martin Heng, Head of Content, Vaycayit
Dr Yasmine Gray, Founder, GetAboutAble
Kristy Quigg, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Co-Chair Blind Citizens Australia
Alex Stratikis, GetAboutAble, Autistic Traveller
Submit your questions for this session via our Google Form
AITCAP wrap-up and Big Red Group door prize draw
Gemma Axford, General Manager, GetAboutAble
5:30 PM – 6:30 PM
