Director

Burak Consulting

Based in Otautahi, Ed Burak is an Experience Designer and Customer Insights Practitioner with a long background in tourism.

Ed recently completed the design and execution of Tourism Holdings (THL) Global Campus and the flagship RV Branch. Other notable projects include the All Blacks Experience in Tāmaki Makaurau, the Dark Sky Project in Takapō, and several strategic visitor insights projects for Auckland City Council.

Ed’s approach to most projects begins with understanding the voice of the customer to identify unmet needs and understand the “why” behind them, rather than just focusing on the “what.” This balance between commercial considerations and desirable outcomes is what drives Ed’s motivation.

Presentation topic:

Integrating customer led, design principles into experience design. How to uncover and anticipate anxieties, manage expectations and identify opportunities in order to delight your guests.

General Manager - Regional Strategy

Great South

Bobbi has over 20 years’ experience in strategic and operational roles and is currently the GM Regional Strategy at Great South (Southland’s Regional Development Agency).  She has recently facilitated the development of the region’s long-term plan (Beyond 2025 Southland) in partnership with the Government and the region’s Iwi, businesses and communities.  This Plan aims to create a shared future vision and pathway for Murihiku Southland acknowledging the need to diversify the economy while also looking after its’ people and environment. A proud Southlander born and bred, Bobbi has dairy farmed in South Otago with her husband and son for the past 25 years while also balancing a 15-year career as an international netball umpire.

Presentation topic:

Why is growth important and how a Destination Management approach enables this?

Department of Tourism - Te Matauraka Tapoi

Otago Business School - Te Kura Pakihi

Brent is a Professor in the Department of Tourism, University of Otago. He has a background in natural resource management - initially as an environmental forester, moving into conservation and from there to academia, where his PhD addressed tourism in national parks in Canada.  His research focus is on sustainable tourism, and considers topics such as community-based tourism, tourism indicators and destination management. He has published books on wildlife tourism, tourism ethics and is currently editing a book on regenerative tourism.  A further research interest is human-nature relations and Brent currently leads a Te Apārangi Royal Society funded project on invasive species.

Panel discussion: 

The power of collaboration and the benefits of taking this approach.

Managing Director

Make

Tim started Make 15 years ago with a laptop and a passion to do great work. With a background in science, marketing, and programming, he loves getting to know organisations and working with them to solve problems that matter across brand, campaigns, and digital. When not working, he enjoys spending time with his wife and three boys, surfing, cycling, and yelling at professional athletes on TV.

Presentation topic: 

This practical session will help tourism operators strengthen their digital foundations by focusing on key website elements and simple, effective improvements. With an emphasis on the customer journey and easy wins, attendees will leave with clear actions to boost their online presence and support future growth.

Chairperson – Glacier Country Tourism Group

General Manager – Westland Tourism - Ngāi Tahu Tourism

Janelle is a proud fifth-generation West Coaster, born and raised in South Westland - a region with a deep sense of manaakitanga and community connection.

She is the General Manager Westland Tourism for Ngāi Tahu Tourism, overseeing the iconic Franz Josef Glacier Guides, and serves as Chairperson of the Glacier Country Tourism Group, where she supports collaborative efforts to strengthen the region’s tourism offering and resilience.

Through her role with Ngāi Tahu Tourism and her own business, Janelle has also contributed, alongside other local businesses, to the founding of the Ōkārito Plant Project, a community-led initiative focused on environmental restoration and long-term sustainability for the Coast, reflecting the values of kaitiakitanga at the heart of regenerative tourism.

Panel discussion: 

The power of collaboration and the benefits of taking this approach.

Chairman

Te Tai Poutini Destination Management Reference Group

Mark brings over two decades of senior executive experience across both large-scale and boutique organisations, with a focus on investment, housing, economic development, and tourism. His leadership journey includes serving as Chief Executive of Destination Rotorua and the Nelson Regional Development Agency, where he championed regional growth and stakeholder alignment. A long-standing contributor to New Zealand’s tourism and economic development sectors, Mark has held a range of governance and management roles at both local and national levels. He is deeply committed to the principles of Destination Management and its role in fostering sustainable, resilient visitor economies.

As Independent Chair of the Te Tai Poutini Destination Management Plan Reference Group, Mark considers it a privilege to support collaborative, place-based planning that reflects the values and aspirations of the communities that the tourism sector both contributes to and relies on to be successful.

Presentation topic: 

An update on the focus areas for the Te Tai Poutini Destination Management Reference Group 2025 and beyond.

General Manager Tourism and Trade

Christchurch Airport

Scott Callaway is General Manager Trade Development at Christchurch Airport. A role he has held since 2014. He leads the airports relationship with airlines and tourism and trade bodies within New Zealand and off shore 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.

Presentation topic: 

Path to 2030 and CIALs role in supporting growth on the West Coast

Chief Executive Officer

Scenic Hotel Group

The Chief Executive Officer for Scenic Hotel Group, Karl leads an iconic Kiwi company that displays strength and loyalty both to the industry and its people.

An experienced hotelier with a wealth of hotel management and operational expertise, Karl continually advocates for greater understanding and appreciation of the real value tourism adds to New Zealand’s economic growth, job creation and positive international image.

Presentation topic: 

Launching 'Real West' tourism training programme.

Chairperson

Mōkihinui-Lyell Backcountry Trust

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 developed a deep interest in Tai Poutini’s nature, people, genesis, and future and has been fortunate to be involved in a range of projects, social enterprises, and initiatives that bring these things together.

Panel discussion: 

The power of collaboration and the benefits of taking this approach.

Chief People Officer

RealNZ

Janelle Somerville is the Chief People Officer at RealNZ, based in Queenstown. Proud mum of two, breast cancer warrior and self-proclaimed wayfarer. Janelle has more than 20 years of HR leadership experience across the UK and New Zealand. She brings a high level of energy and creativity in shaping employee experience, organisational culture, and leadership. Janelle believes people are the heart of every business. Her work centres on creating environments where individuals feel valued, enabled, and empowered to thrive—driving meaningful change through authenticity, resilience, and a deep commitment to people.

Presentation topic: 

When it comes to attracting & retaining great people, it’s not always about spending more—it’s about investing in what truly matters. One size doesn’t fit all, so get curious, get creative, and ask rather than assume.

Sustainability Manager

Hospitality New Zealand

Megan Williams has been leading sustainable tourism and destination stewardship for over 20 years. She’s worked nationally to support businesses on their sustainability journey, and locally in Otago to build community resilience through environmental and social projects.

Megan was a founding trustee of Te Kākano Aotearoa Trust and WAI Wānaka, and played a central role in creating the Wānaka Community Hub. She’s also a tourism business owner, a governance advisor, and a judge for international sustainable tourism awards.

Presentation topic: 

A Health Check for Your Tourism or Hospitality Business: From building business resilience to keeping up with current trends and being a good steward for your region, this session offers a practical health check for your business. Walk away with tools and insights to get your operation ready for whatever comes next.

General Manager - International

Tourism New Zealand | Manaakitanga Aotearoa

Angela is a strategic marketing leader with over 20 years’ global experience across business-to-business and business-to-consumer marketing.

Working for organisations such as Restaurant Brands, Vodafone and APN, she developed creative marketing programmes with a commercial focus. Prior to joining Tourism New Zealand, Angela was a member of Restaurants Brands’ New Zealand Executive team. In her current role she is responsible for the delivery of marketing activity in offshore markets and aviation partnerships.

Presentation topic: 

An overview of Tourism New Zealand’s strategy including insights, activity and how you can engage with our key markets – Australia, North America and China.

General Manager

Qualmark New Zealand.

Steven Dixon took the role of General Manager Qualmark in November 2021 after returning to New Zealand from over 10 years offshore.

Prior to his current role, Steven held senior roles with Tourism New Zealand in Asia leading a team of marketers as Tourism New Zealand’s Trade Marketing Manager Asia, Regional Manager South and Southeast Asia where he oversaw TNZ’s activity across trade, marketing, public relations and stakeholder engagement.

Steven also worked in Tourism New Zealand’s Los Angeles office as the Business Events Manager driving visitors from the high value business events sector in the North American markets.

Before joining Tourism New Zealand, Steven worked in the hospitality and tourism industries in marketing, management and development roles both in and outside of New Zealand.

In addition to his current home of New Zealand, Steven has lived in Singapore, England, Japan, Taiwan, and the USA.

Presentation topic:

This session will explore what sustainable growth really means for tourism operators – from investing in staff and customer experience to enhancing products and long-term business resilience. Steven will provide an update on recent Qualmark developments and share how the programme supports ongoing improvement and growth.