Head of Product and Innovation

Scenic Hotel Group

Ali has lived and breathed hotels and the hospitality industry all her working life. Ali’s strength is centred round her ability to foster and build strong partnerships, her customer and industry business focus and strong results driven mindset. She has held senior management positions and is actively involved with regional tourism organisations around the country and worked closely with Tourism New Zealand directly.

The famous “West Coast Hospitality” is in Ali’s blood. Ali had a financial interest in the popular Mahinapua Pub for around 20 years from the early 1980’s through to the early 2000’s. She has also served 18 years on the board for CINZ, BEIA, was on the advisory board for the Queenstown Convention Bureau and is still on the PCOA Advisory Board for the accommodation sector.

General Manager New Zealand & Business Events

Tourism New Zealand

Bjoern has a strong background in commercial partnership, business events and the tourism sector. His career in destination marketing includes multiple roles at Tourism New Zealand, including General Manager Domestic, General Manager Americas & Europe, and currently General Manager New Zealand & Business Events.

Originally from Germany, Bjoern has worked across multiple international markets including the UK, Europe, North America, Brazil, and Argentina. In his current role as GM New Zealand and Business Events, Bjoern is responsible for Tourism New Zealand’s experience marketing, International Business Events, and commercial partnerships including Tourism New Zealand’s subsidiaries Qualmark and i-SITE.

Bjoern is a proud resident of Titirangi in West Auckland, and in his free time enjoys exploring the West Coast Beaches, following his kids at multiple sporting events, and travelling around Aotearoa New Zealand.

General Manager Tourism and Events (seconded to Beyond 2025 Southland Project Lead)

Great South

Bobbi has over 20 years’ experience in the local government, community development, sporting, rural and tourism sectors.

She has extensive experience in strategy and policy writing, stakeholder engagement and management, and currently sits on the boards of Regional Tourism New Zealand (RTNZ) and i-SITE NZ/VIN Inc.

A proud Southlander born and bred, Bobbi grew up in Gore and has dairy farmed with her husband and son in Clinton for the past 20 years. Her 15-year career as an international netball umpire also ensures she brings a diverse range of skills and experience.

Bobbi is on secondment from her role as General Manager Tourism and Events with Great South, as she delivers Southland’s regional development strategy and long-term plan – Beyond 2025 Southland.

Chief Executive Officer

New Zealand Motor Caravan Association

NZMCA CEO Bruce Lochore has led the Association through a decade of the most rapid development in its almost 70-year history.

Since stepping into the role in 2012, his proactive initiatives have seen the Association’s individual membership more than double to 116,000; its member-only parks portfolio increase dramatically to 57 (and growing); and the NZMCA recognised as THE voice of New Zealand’s motorhome and caravan industry.

Today he heads a dynamic organisation which works closely with Government and local authorities to ensure responsible Kiwi families can continue to enjoy the privilege of freedom camping while playing their part in protecting our natural environment and giving back to the communities who welcome them. 

Sustainability Advocate

Tourism Industry Aotearoa

Gisela works at a national level to help ensure that tourism is beneficial for New Zealand’s communities and the environment. She led the creation of New Zealand’s first fully certified, zero carbon holiday itinerary in Nelson Tasman, and was named an “Eco-Luminary” of the Global Travel Industry by The Australian in 2021.

Having owned her own business for 12 years, Gisela can relate well to the challenges and pressures facing small business owners. She has an MA in international development, a certificate in Regenerative Tourism and a Professional Certificate in Sustainable Tourism from the Global Sustainable Tourism Council.

Kaimahi

Te Ara Pounamu Limited

He uri a Indiana nō Ngāti Mutunga, Te Ātiawa me Rāngitāne o Wairau hoki. Indiana will provide an update on the Pounamu Pathway Project. As a kaimahi at Te Ara Pounamu Limited, Indiana has held a close relationship with mana whenua ki Te Tai Poutini in ensuring the project reflects Te Tai Poutini tikanga, and their values and aspirations for the Coast. Te Ara Pounamu is excited to launch its first visitors centre in Māwhera this December.

Regional Affairs Manager

Air New Zealand

Jason is the Regional Affairs Manager at Air New Zealand, responsible for 20 regions on the domestic network.

Previously CEO Hamilton & Waikato Tourism, GM City Events, Customer & Tourism for Hamilton City Council.

Director of Destination Management

Regional Tourism New Zealand (RTNZ)

Kiri has more than 20 years’ experience in tourism and economic development and specialises in Destination Management. She is currently the Director of Destination Management for Regional Tourism New Zealand (RTNZ), supporting the adoption of a destination management approach across New Zealand’s regions.

Kiri led the development of Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment’s Destination Management Guidelines, and from 2009-2016 was the CEO of Hamilton & Waikato Tourism. Prior to this she was Development Manager for Tourism New Zealand and led a Major Regional Initiative (MRI) in Northland to improve the performance of the region’s tourism sector.

Kiri is a member of the Aotearoa Circle’s Climate Change Adaptation Roadmap for Tourism and MBIE’s Tourism Industry Transformation Plan for the Environment.

Director, Operations – Western South Island Region

Department of Conservation

Regional Manager Canterbury & West Coast

Forest and Bird

Nicky has a background in Environmental Policy and in nature tourism. Nicky has been with Forest & Bird for five years and prior to that spent two decades guiding small groups of international visitors on walking tours in the South Island’s National Parks and conservation lands, and in Bhutan.

Client Director

Make Collective

Nicole has been in the creative and digital industry for over 10 years. She’s well versed in working with teams to solve complex user experience challenges or leading large enterprise clients.

Nicole has worked with a broad range of blue-chip clients including Huffington Post, Roche Global, Air NZ, Vodafone, Auckland International Airport, Les Mills, New Zealand Cricket, and the NZ Olympic Committee.

Destination and Tourism Manager

Development West Coast

Patrick’s role at DWC is to develop and implement the regional destination management plan; formulating what will be the region’s roadmap for economic, cultural, and environmental development. Bringing together communities, Iwi, government, and local businesses to build the region’s reputation and mitigate the risks to our communities and our environment whilst attracting new residents, businesses, and visitors.

Dolomite Point Redevelopment Project

Phil lives south of Westport on the West Coast of New Zealand’s South Island having moved there in 2005 after years working and travelling abroad.

Phil has an environmental and project management background, with 25 years’ experience both in New Zealand and overseas. He completed a BSc (Geology and Geography) in New Zealand and a MScEng in Australia and is self-employed, operating as Dextera Limited with his wife, Diana.

Phil has had a life-long love affair with the outdoors and nature and how people interact with it. This led to involvement in the development and operation of several multi-use trails on the West Coast, running visitor facilities (guest lodge), and involvement in tourism infrastructure development, most notably the Dolomite Point Redevelopment Project in Punakaiki, Te Tai o Poutini.

These experiences have afforded significant insight into the success and failure factors of such undertakings.

General Manager Tourism and Trade

Christchurch International Airport Limited

Scott Callaway leads the airport’s relationship with airlines and tourism and trade bodies within New Zealand and offshore to meet the aspiration of “filling planes.”

Scott joined Christchurch Airport after eight years as Marketing Manager of the multi-award winning Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools and Spa, and the Hurunui Districts’ tourism organisation.

He is a proven tourism marketing executive with an extensive range of national and international experience, having worked previously with the AJ Hackett Bungy Group, Air New Zealand and for international advertising agencies Carat Inc., and The Event Group, both in New Zealand and the United States. Scott began his career in tourism in Christchurch with the Mount Cook Group in 1985.

General Manager

Entrada Travel Group

Simon joined Entrada Travel Group in July 2017 as the General Manager of Sales.

Prior to this, his career in the travel and tourism industry included 15 years in outbound travel (including a stint working in Vanuatu) and 15 years in inbound travel, which most notably included 10 years as Sales Manager for Interislander.

Simon is a keen trail cyclist and was last on the West Coast in Oct 2021 to ride the West Coast Wilderness Trail….not on an e-bike.

Managing Director

Make Collective

Tim started Make 12 years ago with a laptop and a passion to do great work. With a background in science, music, and code, he loves getting to know organisations and working with them to solve problems that matter.

When not working he enjoys spending time with his three boys, surfing, cycling, and yelling at professional athletes on TV.

General Manager

Great Journeys New Zealand

Tracey Goodall has worked in the visitor industry for close to 20 years. Rich with experiences in leadership positions in Asia, Europe and Oceania, Tracey has a broad understanding of tour operators, activity providers, accommodation, and RTOs. As GM at Great Journeys New Zealand, Tracey manages a team focused on both Scenic and Commuter train experiences, including the TranzAlpine which provides both scenic train trips and is part of their new Classic and Signature seven-day tours which brings visitors to the West Coast encouraging them to explore the region.  

Tracey is passionate about the benefits travel provides for both local communities and the people who visit. Tracey often spends a ‘work day’ on the TranzAlpine meeting customers and spending time with crew. On a personal front, Tracey frequently visits the coast and is a big fan of the West Coast Wilderness Trail.  She cycled the trail last year – it’s one of her favourite NZ rides!

Nature Economy Project Lead

Development West Coast

The overarching purpose of the Nature Economy Project is to identify ways in which conservation, environmental restoration and the protection of native biodiversity has the potential to support the diversification of the West Coast economy.

Zak commenced his role in June 2022 bringing twenty years of experience in facilitating environmental education, adventure education, tourism guiding and leadership development to the DWC team. Zak holds a degree in Sustainability and Outdoor Education and manages a photography business. Zak has lived with his family near Hokitika for the past 12 years.