REGISTRATION TOURISM CONFERENCE 2017 TOURISM IS EVERYONE S BUSINESS 12-14 March 2017 Manning Entertainment Centre, Taree LGNSW.ORG.AU Co-hosted by Official partner Elite sponsor Government sponsor
DESTINATION TAREE AND MANNING VALLEY Welcome to the Manning Valley, home of the Biripi and Worimi people. The Manning Valley is a regional area renowned for its semi-rural lifestyle, pristine landscapes and national parks, unique natural features and the character and heritage of local towns. Cultural intrigue, world-class beaches and charming regional townships await visitors. Tourists and visitors can pass their days on beautiful beaches surfing, swimming, diving and kayaking or head to one of the 26 seaside and hinterland towns and villages. The region features a variety of tea rooms, cosy cafes, country pubs and galleries, tea-shops, cafes and colourful arts and crafts and vintage shops. Locals and tourists can enjoy 45 kilometres of spectacular coastline meeting up with rustic countryside and adventurous mountain trails. The Manning Valley offers nine stunning national parks and the only double delta river system in Australia, with two entrances to the ocean. 5 REASONS YOU SHOULD ATTEND 1. The conference is staged by local government for local government 2. Take home the latest tourism news, thinking and ideas to share with your team 3. Learn from senior industry executives and speakers who are experts in their fields 4. Be inspired to create new solutions to your tourism challenges 5. Network with peers and industry experts Brushy Cutting Lookout PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS > Opening address from Stuart Ayres MP, Minister for Trade, Tourism and Major Events > Address by The Hon John Ajaka MLC, Minister for Ageing, Disability Services and Multiculturalism > Keynote presentation by Simone Shepherd, General Manager, Industry Partnerships and Government Policy, Destination NSW > Latest research on tourism spend by local government nationally, presented by David Sheldon, Chair, Australian Regional Tourism Network in collaboration with the Australian Local Government Association > Panel discussion on major conference themes and trends with industry experts > Overview of what makes the region great
Cattai Wetlands TOPIC STREAMS > Inclusive tourism sponsored by the Department of Family and Community Services > Environment and nature tourism sponsored by the NSW National Parks & Wildlife Service > Art, heritage and culture sponsored by the Heritage Near Me program, Office of Environment and Heritage SITE VISITS Monday 13 March, 2.00pm 5.00pm Site visit 1: Aboriginal connections Join this unique tour and explore the Manning Valley s rich Aboriginal heritage and culture with local father and son, Russell and Jeremy Saunders. You ll visit Saltwater National Park, which has special significance for the local Biripi community. Experience traditional sand art and stroll along the Five Islands walking track where traces of the region s rich Aboriginal history can be found in scarred trees, middens and fish traps. Site visit 2: Cattai Wetlands What was once farmland suffering the effects of acid sulfate soils, the award-winning Cattai Wetlands is now an amazing coastal wetland, providing sanctuary for over 180 species of birds, kangaroos and wallabies. While the primary goal in rehabilitating the wetland was to improve the water quality of the Manning River, a range of other environmental benefits have been achieved. You ll learn about balance between environmental and tourism outcomes, future planning, achievements and awards. Site visit 3: Developing tourism product This tour starts at the Manning Entertainment Centre with a presentation on their destination management plan, its challenges and outcomes leading to new tourism product. You ll then travel to Taree Airport to see the upgrades that have taken place thanks to much needed grant funding. Upgrades include an interactive touch table that allows tourists to explore what the Manning Valley has to offer, point of sale displays, REX/Library partnerships, along with airport facility advancements. From the airport, you ll travel to the Taree Hockey Complex to be inspired by the importance of sport tourism in regional areas. Site visit 4: Enabling business Travel by bus to Taree s Council Chambers to hear from Senior Strategic Planner, Sue Calvin, about how to relax red tape and create a self-regulated approach to welcoming tourism as everyone s business. Learn about how Council s Vibrant Spaces program is encouraging local businesses to inject new life into our town centres. The program allows local businesses to use footpaths free of charge in return for
innovative thinking and a common sense approach to adding colour, products, chairs and tables. This encourages people to stop, shop and dine, which benefits local businesses and tourism. You will engage with local business owners and then head to the Manning Regional Art Gallery to enjoy the latest exhibition on display. AVIC SUMMIT This optional session on the first day of the conference will be facilitated by Mark Greaves from The Tourism Group which is newly managing the AVIC program in NSW. The session will feature information on new research completed with Destination NSW and Tourism Research Australia. MidCoast Council will present a case study on how an amalgamated council has amended its Destination Marketing Plan for its region. TRC Tourism will present innovation in visitor servicing with insights into Tasmania and offshore destinations and Shoalhaven City Council will present on applying inclusive principles across tourism initiatives. Download the program from the LGNSW website. (Note: speakers and topics may change due to unforeseen circumstances.) THE CONFERENCE VENUE AND ACCOMMODATION The Manning Entertainment Centre presents the best performing arts and entertainment on the Mid North Coast, serving residents of the Manning Valley, Great Lakes, Gloucester and Camden Haven regions. It is an important asset for the region, regularly used by schools and other groups including the Taree Arts Council, Manning Valley Choral Society and Taree & District Eisteddfod. The Manning Valley boasts a variety of accommodation options, offering comfort and all the facilities you ll need during your stay. Bus transfers will pick up delegates at selected accommodation venues, for transportation to and from the main venues. See the LGNSW website for a list of accommodation options. Book through the Taree Visitor Information Centre to secure your room and bus transfers. Wingham Brush
The Manning River APPLYING INCLUSION PRINCIPLES TO OUR CONFERENCE Inclusive tourism means that everyone feels welcome and is able to access the information they need to optimise their experience of any place they visit. Transport to - and key venues of - the conference meet guidelines for access for people using mobility aids. The main conference venue has hearing loops to all theatre seats and tactile (braille) signage on bathrooms. Documents for the conference will be produced for the website in both pdf and word formats, photos will be captioned and font size will be 12 points or larger. Other aspects of the conference program include the involvement of local groups, the use of local suppliers for services and products, and providing training to local hospitality and events students. With the support of our partners and sponsors, the conference can keep its price-point at a level that makes it available to most groups and well below the cost of commercial conferences. NETWORKING Welcome reception, Sunday 12 March, 6.00pm 9.00pm, Manning River Foreshore The welcome reception will be held on the beautiful Manning River Foreshore at Queen Elizabeth Park, between Manning and Pulteney streets in Taree. The evening will begin with a unique welcome to country by award winning local Biripi dancers. Enjoy canapés featuring the freshest and finest local produce, paired with a tasting of delicious regional wines. Listen to talented local musicians while watching dragon boats break the stillness of the glassy river. Conference Dinner, Monday 13 March, 7.00pm 10.30pm, The Winning Post Function Centre, Taree-Wingham Race Club Transfer buses will take you to Wingham s Winning Post Function Centre for the conference dinner. Enjoy a welcome drink upon arrival outside the grandstand overlooking the racecourse, and take in the rural landscape as the sun sets. The evening will feature special guest speakers and entertainment provided by local artists. SPONSORSHIP If you are interested in sponsoring the conference, giving support or taking part in our trade display, please contact Teresa Bildstein on 02 9242 4031 or email Teresa.Bildstein@lgnsw.org.au LGNSW is committed to environmental sustainability at events and conferences. Please visit lgnsw.org.au for more information.
REGISTRATION Register online by Monday 22 February 2017 at lgnsw.org.au Book before 18 January 2017 to access reduced early bird rates. Discounts are also offered for groups of three delegates to assist councils in sending teams. REGISTRATION OPTIONS Fee (incl. GST) Members Fee (incl. GST) Non-members AVIC optional summit $120 $240 AVIC optional summit with welcome reception $197 $394 Early bird registration (by Monday 18 January 2017) $583 $1,166 Early bird registration with AVIC summit (50% discount AVIC summit ) Group registration early bird (three people by Monday 18 January 2017) $643 $1,286 $1,650 $3,300 Group registration early bird with AVIC summit $1,830 $3,660 Conference registration standard rate (by Monday 22 February 2017) Conference registration standard rate with AVIC (50% discount for summit) Group registration standard rate (by Monday 22 February 2017) $693 $1,386 $753 $1,506 $1,980 $3,960 Group registration standard rate with AVIC summit $2,160 $4,320 Monday registration - day only (inclusive site visits) $330 $660 Tuesday registration - day only $220 $440 Welcome reception - extra tickets $77 $154 Conference dinner - extra tickets (if available) $154 $308 Cancellations prior to Monday 22 February will receive a full refund (less $100 administration fee). Cancellations after Monday 22 February will receive no refund. However, registration can be transferred to another person. LGNSW.ORG.AU