Will you be joining us at this year's North Coast Tourism Symposium? If you haven't yet secured your ticket, now is the time to start planning. The 2026 Symposium is more than a conference – it's a chance to come together as an industry, challenge our thinking and help shape the future of tourism on the North Coast.
Here are our Top 5 Reasons to Attend This Year:
Hear from Industry Leaders
Gain insights from some of Australia's leading tourism, destination, marketing and sustainability experts as they share the trends, challenges and opportunities shaping the future of our industry.
Stay Ahead of the Curve
Explore the ideas, strategies and innovations influencing the visitor economy, from changing visitor expectations and global tourism trends to discoverability, storytelling and destination development.
Connect and Collaborate
Meet and engage with tourism operators, destination managers, local government representatives and industry stakeholders from across the North Coast and beyond, building valuable relationships and new opportunities.
Celebrate Industry Excellence
Join us at the North Coast Regional Tourism Awards Gala as we recognise and celebrate the outstanding businesses, experiences and individuals helping drive tourism success across our region.
Experience the Best of the Coffs Coast
From the Welcome Event at the iconic Big Banana Fun Park to the Symposium at Aanuka Beach House and Awards Gala at Pacific Bay Resort, enjoy some of the region's most stunning venues while experiencing everything the Coffs Coast has to offer.
2026 SYMPOSIUM SPEAKERS
The 2026 North Coast Tourism Symposium is bringing together an outstanding lineup of industry leaders, innovators and changemakers. We're pleased to announce three more speakers joining the program:
Stewart Moore CEO, EarthCheck
As CEO of EarthCheck and Executive Director of APEC International Centre for Sustainable Tourism, Stewart Moore has over 35 years of experience across the Asia-Pacific region, and is recognised as a leader in sustainable tourism, destination management, and strategic planning.
Karen Hirst Destination Lead, Lismore City Council
With more than 10 years’ experience in tourism, destination management and economic development across the Northern Rivers, Karen Hirst steers initiatives that support the rebuilding and revitalisation of Limore's visitor economy following the 2022 natural disasters.
Michael Lockman CEO, Big Banana Fun Park
As CEO of The Big Banana Fun Park, Michael Lockman has steered the transformation of one of Australia's most iconic tourism attractions, overseeing significant growth, major investment in new experiences and attractions, and strengthening its position as a leading destination on the Coffs Coast.
Symposium Speaker Spotlight:
Dr Meredith WrayDestination North Coast Director and Symposium speaker, Dr Meredith Wray, will present State to Regional Vision to Action, a thought leadership session exploring how broad visitor economy strategies can be translated into practical regional action, helping destinations better align planning, partnerships and on-ground delivery.
Exclusive Accommodation Discounts
Delegates attending the 2026 North Coast Tourism Symposium and Regional Tourism Awards can take advantage of exclusive accommodation offers from our event partners, including discounts of up to 20% at participating properties across the Coffs Coast.
Offers are available at Pacific Bay Resort, BreakFree Aanuka Beach Resort, The Observatory Apartments, BIG4 Park Beach Holiday Park, Holiday Coffs Coast and Coffs Coast Accommodation. Terms, conditions and booking codes apply. Visit our Symposium page for more information.
This year’s Symposium draft program can be found HERE
This year’s Speaker lineup can be found HERE
Tickets are now available for purchase HERE
Download a Justification Letter to support your attendance HERE
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