2021 TRC x CRL Symposium
The Digital Future of the Tourism Industry in Western Australia
The Tourism Research Cluster (TRC) and the Consumer Research Lab (CRL) invite you to its International Symposium on the topic of ‘The Digital Future of the Tourism Industry in Western Australia’.
The theme of this year’s annual Symposium has been chosen carefully to reflect the critical moment the tourism industry is faced with. Digital innovation, including digital platforms, has already disrupted the way tourism businesses operate. In times of global crisis and technological disruption, the TRC x CRL Symposium brings together key academics and industry leaders to:
- Raise awareness on the opportunities and challenges facing the WA tourism industry regarding the digital future,
- Foster digital readiness and strengthen the digital resilience of the sector by preparing for digital disruption,
- Discuss strategies to prepare the industry for the digital future and to upskill the digital workforce, and
- Promote digital leadership in tourism.
This year the TRC x CRL Symposium will be held online as well as in-person to best accommodate for the preferences of delegates during these uncertain times.
Join international keynote speaker Professor Iis Tussyadiah (Intelligent Systems in Service, University of Surrey, UK) alongside other fascinating industry and academic experts to learn more about current issues and research findings in the field of digitalisation in tourism.
Symposium details
Date: The TRC x CRL Symposium will be held on 18 February 2021
Time:
- 8.10am – 8.40am | arrival and registration
- 8.40am – 3.30pm | presentations and panel discussion
- 3.30pm – 5.00pm | networking session
Cost:
- In-person attendance: $75
- Online attendance: $15
Location: Tim Winton Lecture Theatre (Building 213, room 101), Curtin Bentley Campus
Please note that attendees who register for the online format will receive access details to the digital platform a few days prior to the event date.
Driving to campus: If you plan on driving to the event, parking is available for you from 8am-10pm at Car Park PJ1 and PJ2. Click here to download the campus map.
Getting to campus: For those of you not planning to drive to campus, we have a wealth of information available on the Curtin University website, including information on cycling, public transport and campus buses. Read more.
Interactive campus map: To help you plan your trip to our campus, an interactive campus map is available online.
Program schedule
18 February 2021
| 08.10 – 08.40 | Arrival / Registration |
Welcome Address
| 08.40 – 08.50 | Ingrid Cumming, Curtin’s Nyungar Cultural Advisor, Curtin University |
| 08.50 – 09.00 | Professor Nigel De Bussy, Pro Vice-Chancellor, Faculty of Business and Law, Curtin University |
| 09.00 – 09.10 | Professor Julia Richardson, Head of School, School of Management and Marketing, Curtin University |
| 09.10 – 09.20 | Welcome from the Tourism Research Cluster Co-Director
Associate Professor Michael Volgger, School of Management and Marketing, Curtin University |
| 09.20 – 09.30 | Welcome from the Symposium Chairs
Associate Professor Billy Sung and Dr Sean Lee, School of Management and Marketing, Curtin University |
Session 1 – Global, Domestic and Local Perspectives: How are digital technologies changing the tourism landscape globally?
| 09.30 – 9.50 | The future of the Tourism WA digital strategy
Mollie Hill, Executive Director, Brand and Marketing Services Tourism WA |
| 9.50 – 10.10 | Reimagining travel and tourism with technology
Professor Iis Tussyadiah, Intelligent Systems in Service, University of Surrey, UK |
| 10.10 – 10.30 | The rise of technology in tourism- A post COVID analysis
Terrance Dewar, Founder and Chairman for Australian Biome Project |
| 10.30 – 11.00 | Morning Tea |
Session 2 – Industry Perspectives from Western Australia: What is happening here in WA?
| 11.00 – 11.20 | Staying relevant and resilient in a rapidly changing environment
Amanda Peterkin, Tourism Business and Product Development, Margaret River Busselton Tourism Association |
| 11.20- 11.40 | How do you make digital feel? Confessions of a micro tourism founder
Sonia Beckwith, Proprietor of Live Ningaloo |
| 11.40 -12.00 | Can digital replace the human touch in tourism?
Lisa Shreeve, CEO, Busselton Jetty |
| 12.00 – 12.20 | Understanding the role of technology in modern destination marketing
Adam Marshall, CEO, Marketforce |
| 12.20 – 13.30 | Lunch |
Session 3 – Opportunities for the Digital Future (Panel discussion): What are the digital challenges of today and what opportunities are there for the future?
| 13.30 – 15.00 | Oliver Looker, General Manager, Liveli (NGIS)
· Geospatial technology expert Associate Professor Crystal Abidin, Curtin University, Australia · Academic and researcher in influencer culture Xavier Sala Busquets, Market Manager, Expedia · Online travel agent expert Ricardo Carreira, Head of Digital, Initiative · Digital media buying expert Craig Wells, Director, WellStrategic Creative · Photographer, videographer and virtual tour expert |
| 15.00 – 15.15 | Q & A |
Concluding Speech
| 15.15 – 15.30 | Closing speech from the Symposium Chairs
Dr Sean Lee and Dr Billy Sung, School of Marketing, Curtin University Cooperative Research Centre for Tourism, Hospitality and Events Professor Kirsten Holmes, Dean of Research, Faculty of Business and Law, Curtin University |
| 15.30 – 17.00 | Networking – wines and nibbles |
Symposium Speakers
The TRC is excited to host the following industry and academic experts, who will be presenting on the most current issues and research findings on the topic of ‘The Digital Future of the Tourism Industry in Western Australia’.
- Mollie Hill, Executive Director, Brand and Marketing Services Tourism WA
- Professor Iis Tussyadiah, Intelligent Systems in Service, University of Surrey, UK
- Terrance Dewar,Founder and Chairman for Australian Biome Project
- Amanda Peterkin, Tourism Business and Product Development, Margaret River Busselton Tourism Association
- Sonia Beckwith, Proprietor of Live Ningaloo
- Lisa Shreeve, CEO, Busselton Jetty
- Adam Marshall, CEO, Marketforce
- Associate Professor Crystal Abidin, Curtin University, Australia
- Xavier Sala Busquets, Market Manager, Expedia
- Oliver Looker, General Manager, Liveli (NGIS)
- Ricardo Carreira, Head of Digital, Initiative
- Craig Wells, Director, WellStrategic Creative
You can read more about the speakers here.
Registrations
Registrations for the 2021 TRC x CRL Symposium are now open!
About the Tourism Research Cluster
The Tourism Research Cluster (TRC) increases Curtin’s tourism research capability by providing a framework for the skills, expertise and resources of researchers to be shared, increasing opportunities for collaboration and building on the strengths of Curtin’s well-established multidisciplinary approach to tourism research.
The TRC offers members the chance to meet and network with tourism experts worldwide, share ideas and explore collaborative opportunities. Some of the TRC’s key industry partners include Tourism WA, DBCA’s Parks and Wildlife Service, WAITOC, Expedia, and RAC.
We welcome new members to join the TRC’s pool of knowledge and expertise from which to source targeted and innovative solutions. For more information, contact trc@curtin.edu.au
About the Consumer Research Lab
The Consumer Research Lab specialises in the use of consumer biometrics and digital innovation to generate unprecedented marketing insights. Specifically, it uses biometric measures such as eye-tracking, facial expression, and brainwave analyses to track consumers’ feelings, thoughts, and experiences in a second-by-second and element-by-element manner. Combined with immersive technologies, digital analytics, and behavioural tracking innovations, the CRL has collaborated with many industry partners including HBF, Lotterywest, RAC, Redbull, and SOHO Global Health (Indonesia) amongst others.
Many thanks to our event partners Business Events Perth for helping us make this event possible!
