South Australian e-Tourism Convention

Ward Tilbrook

An upcoming state-wide e-tourism convention will be held later this month in South Australia. This will be attended by South Australian tourism businesses wishing to take a positive step towards being more successful and better equipped to operate in an ever-changing digital environment The convention will take place on Wednesday 30 May at the Hilton Adelaide.

The South Australian Tourism Industry Council’s third annual tourism convention, entitled SA e-Tourism Convention: The revolution of tourism information, distribution and sales, allows the tourism operators, local government and stakeholders to participate in a dynamic, interactive day of presentations and master classes.

South Australian Tourism Industry Council Chief Executive Ward Tilbrook says the internet is changing the way we do business and we need to keep learning and re-learning if we are going to grow and succeed.

“Taking a day to improve your knowledge of operating successfully online is a wise investment designed to help businesses succeed in a rapidly evolving online environment and not become a victim of it,” Mr Tilbrook says. This is an opportunity to learn in all aspects of being “online” including sales and marketing, distribution, e-commerce, social media, financial management, inventory control, as well as managing your business’ image and reputation.”

To be opened by the Tourism Minister Gail Gago, the convention will have a line up of four impressive plenary speakers and seven compelling master classes which will enable participants to learn in a more interactive environment. (See full speaker line-up below.)

Keynote presenter, Jason Shugg, Head of Consumer Insights at Lonely Planet, will identify the importance of understanding consumers and their needs in a changing environment by looking at Lonely Planet as a case study for changing the way it has developed its strategies towards a more consumer centric approach.

After participating in a full day of conference activities, delegates are also invited to attend Talking Tourism – the Convention’s Cocktail Function to hear from guest speaker The Lord Mayor of Adelaide, Stephen Yarwood about the Council’s integration of new digital media into the way they do business.

The convention will be held at the Hilton Adelaide on Wednesday, 30 May. Registrations are now open. For more information visit: www.satic.com.au

Full Speaker Line Up:

Master of Ceremonies: John Thompson-Mills, ABC
Hon Gail Gago MLC, Minister for Tourism

            Official opening
Jason Shugg, Lonely Planet

            The importance in understanding consumers and their needs in a changing environment
Grant Cameron and Jodie van Deventer, Access All Media

            Stor-E-telling in an online world
David O’Loughlin, South Australian Tourism Commission

            Customer Engagement in the Digital Channel
Jesse Desjardins, Tourism Australia

            Social media & advocacy: a Tourism Australia case study
Angela Murphy, dmca Charted Accountants

            Efficiency in e-Business: How to make more money without more customers
Jason Neave, Via Media Communications

            Marketing Automation: Why email marketing is still the killer app
Michelle Prak, Prakky

            Blog On: How blogging can support your tourism business
Paige Rowett, The Gen Y Project

            Search Engine Optimisation 101

Gail Gago

Stephen Schwer, Southern Flinders Regional Tourism Authority

            A Pedal Powered Website
Sally Smith, Australian Tourism Data Warehouse

            Online Travel Agents
Daniel Wilson, DBG Technologies, E Commerce 101
Stephen Yarwood, Lord Mayor of Adelaide
            Guest speaker at Talking Tourism: Convention Cocktail Function

More Information: Bianca Borrett, bianca@satic.com.au  +61 8 8110 0125 or see the website  http://www.satic.com.au/index.php/events/satic_convention_sa_e-tourism/program/