Driving Bookings in Australia
Andrew Waddel, Tourism New Zealand

Hear from Andrew Waddel, General Manager - Australia, on how Tourism New Zealand is focused on converting Australian audiences into holiday bookings to increase arrivals. Using real-life campaign examples, Andrew will share insights and learnings that support tourism sector growth.

Valuing Our People and Community
Dale Aotea Stephens, Chair, New Zealand Māori Tourism

New Zealand Māori Tourism recently released ‘ground-breaking’ new research about the contribution of Māori tourism to Aotearoa New Zealand’s economy and highlighting the value of the sector to our people, businesses, and communities. Dale Aotea Stephens, Chair, New Zealand Māori Tourism, will share a snapshot of this new research that clearly demonstrates that Māori tourism operators put people before profits.  

Aviation Update 
Mick Cottrell, Auckland Airport 

Mick Cottrell, Manager Commercial at Auckland Airport, will share an aviation update, covering the latest news on airline capacity and connectivity from the gateway airport to and from New Zealand, as well as the opportunities that lie ahead and pathways to growth.  

Driving Bookings in Asia
Gregg Wafelbakker, Tourism New Zealand  

Hear from Gregg Wafelbakker, General Manager - Asia, on how Tourism New Zealand is focused on converting Asian audiences into holiday bookings to increase arrivals. Using real-life campaign examples, Gregg will share insights and learnings that support tourism sector growth. 

Akiaki – Advancing Tourism 
Gisela Purcell, Tourism Industry Aotearoa and Steph James, ZORB Rotorua

Sustainable actions are good for business. 
Akiaki is an online education platform developed by Tourism Industry Aotearoa to advance sustainable tourism. Free for TIA members, the tool is designed to help businesses build knowledge and put sustainable practices into action. Join Gisela Purcell, Sustainability Manager at TIA, to learn how you can leverage this powerful resource in your business, along with a real-world case study showcasing Akiaki in action from Steph James, General Manager at ZORB Rotorua.    

Top Tips on Being an Employer of Choice 
James Dalglish, GO Rentals

Employee engagement is one of the most important metrics in modern business, it drives business performance and connects directly to customer experience. Hear from GO Rentals COO James Dalglish who will share his top tricks and tips and unveil the secret ingredients behind a two-time winner of the Employee of Choice Tourism Award. 

Driving Bookings in America and Europe
Sarah Handley, Tourism New Zealand

Hear from Sarah Handley, General Manager – Americas and Europe, on how Tourism New Zealand is focused on converting North American and European audiences into holiday bookings to increase arrivals. Using real-life campaign examples, Sarah will share insights and learnings that support tourism sector growth. 

Tō tātou Haerenga – Our Journey Together 
Ben Evers-Swindell, Air New Zealand

Connection is at the heart of everything Air New Zealand does – from the moment a traveller boards their flight to the moment they return home, our national carrier is proud to represent Aotearoa and its people. Ben Evers-Swindell, Air New Zealand General Manager North America, shares insights on the latest market trends, including how recent tariff developments are reflected in booking behaviour. He’ll explore how our uniquely Kiwi hospitality plays a powerful role in shaping the visitor experience, and why trade partnerships – including with you, our sellers – matter now more than ever.