Talking Tourism Business Forum 2025

Elaine is currently Head of Tourism at the award-winning Seppeltsfield Wines in the Barossa region of South Australia. Established in 1851, Seppeltsfield is one of Australia’s most historic wineries and recognised in the ‘World’s Top 100 Vineyards’. Seppeltsfield is now a vibrant community of artisans, with wine, food, art, craft and retail experiences on offer.

With more than 20 years’ experience in the South Australian wine, food and tourism sectors, Elaine has a wealth of experience and knowledge from working with key industry bodies and leading South Australian brands. Elaine has strong industry networks and insights from various management and board roles in organisations ranging from small business, not-for-profit, industry organisations and regional bodies to global corporate entities.

Elaine is currently also Chair of the Barossa Farmers Market and is a former Deputy Chair of the Tourism Industry Council of South Australia (TICSA).

Owner operator and Master Juggler, Kelly Kuhn has worked in the South Australian tourism industry for 3 decades, in private enterprise, not-for profit and more government departments than she cares to count.

She is the winner of an ‘Inspirational Women of the World’ award based in Bali during 2024, past Deputy Mayor of her local Murray River Council, Board Member of the Murray River, Lakes and Coorong Tourism Alliance. Kelly is the founder of her local River Murray Community Progress Association.

Kelly’s businesses, Juggle House Experiences and River Murray Dark Sky Tours provide innovative and personalised travel adventures in South Australia.
Starting off just 1 year before Covid, and enduring the 1-in-100 year Murray River floods, Kelly’s businesses have operated half their time in a declared State of Emergency. Despite this, accolades include Gold and Silver in the South Australian Tourism Awards thriving as a tour operator excelling in collaboration.
Kelly is often asked to MC regional events and is currently seen a rising star in guest speaking roles at conferences, recently being voted #3 speaker at the South Australian Tourism Conference in 2024.

CEO of Busselton Jetty; Lisa Shreeve is proud to work with a community of passionate Western Australians who saved the iconic 1.8km Busselton Jetty after Cyclone Alby hit in 1978. Busselton Jetty Inc is the not-for-profit organisation that runs the Underwater Observatory, Train and Interpretive Centre with 25% of its ticket sales going back to its sustainability, a unique business model where essentially tourists pay for the maintenance of a 160 year old state heritage asset.

Busselton Jetty Inc’s mission is to ensure the Jetty is here for future generations and they do this through regenerative tourism, actively restoring and enhancing the natural, cultural and social environments, improving ecosystems and strengthening the local community.

Lisa has a Business Degree, Masters in Regional Development, is a graduate of the AICD, an Environmental Auditor, was an Olympic torch bearer on two occasions and represented Australia at the United Nations in Sustainable Development. She is loving her job at the Busselton Jetty, awarded WA’s Major Tourist Attraction 3 years running to 2021 and in 2024 Gold in Ecotourism and Accessible Tourism.

In August 2020, Matthew Cameron-Smith commenced as CEO of Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia which oversees Ayers Rock Resort at Uluru and Mossman Gorge Cultural Centre in the Daintree Rainforest.

During the last few years, he has overseen the opening of the Gallery of Central Australia and the 2023 launch of the spectacular Wintjiri Wiru light, sound and drone experience, Sunrise Journeys immersive Indigenous light show experience and Australian Native High Tea. He is also a passionate supporter of cultural sustainability through the company’s National Indigenous Training Academy.

With over 33 years in the tourism and hospitality industry Matthew has an extensive background in national and international tourism, joining Voyages from The Travel Corporation, where he led the Trafalgar Guided Holidays brand as well as being Global CEO of AAT Kings.

He has also held global roles with Rydges Hotels & Resorts and Tourism Australia - promoting the country in the UK and Europe markets.

Matthew is Chair and director of Ultimate Winery Experiences of Australia which promotes wine tourism in Australia, a director of the Anangu Communities Foundation which raises money for local Indigenous communities in critical areas such as health and education and is a board member of the Torrens University of Australia, Hospitality Industry Advisory Board.

He is also a member of the THRIVE 2030 Implementation Advisory Group, a national strategy for Australia’s visitor economy recovery and return to sustainable growth, 2022 - 2030.

Michelle Wills is Marketing Manager at Balloon Aloft Australia, the country’s largest and most experienced hot air ballooning company. She has 30 years’ experience in the communications field and has worked as Media Manager for the Sydney 2000 Olympic Torch Relay and Public Relations Manager for News and Current Affairs at the Seven Network Sydney.

While working in her role at Balloon Aloft she has seen the company grow from one flight location to five with over 30,000 people flying with the company in the last year alone. In the last few years she has spearheaded the partnership with the Gangalidda and Garrawa People of Far North West Queensland seeing the launch of the world's first Indigenous owned hot air balloon; implemented a range of sustainable policies and practices leading to the Company attaining Sustainable Tourism Certification; and managed the launch of New South Wales’ first accessible hot-air balloon experience - an achievement of which she is most proud.

Rob is a proud Wotjobaluk/Gunai Kurnai man with family ties to the Lake Tyers Aboriginal Trust community.

He has over 30 years’ experience in government, community, sport and tourism, advocating education and understanding of the issues that impact on first nation’s people and addressing cultural sensitivities required in program development and delivery.

He is currently the Manager of Cultural Experiences at the Koorie Heritage Trust. His role focusses around cultural competency and cultural safety training to Government, the private sector, community organisations and the public. He is also a consultant to Aboriginal program development and Reconciliation Action Plans. Rob also likes to give guided cultural tours, taking in the Trust and along the Yarra River, which provides an urban Aboriginal cultural experience for visitors to Melbourne.

Robert is the owner of the multi award winning Pennicott Wilderness Journeys, which he founded in 1999. Today the business operates six signature experiences in Tasmania: Bruny Island Cruises, Tasman Island Cruises, Iron Pot Cruises, Tasmanian Seafood Seduction, Bruny Island Traveller, and Wineglass Bay Cruises. It has recently added the Freycinet Aqua Express and Cape Raoul Cruises to its portfolio and operates the boat and bus elements of the iconic Three Capes Track Walk.

Pennicott Wilderness Journeys has a fleet of 16 state-of-the-art vessels and 17 buses, employs more than 120 staff and hosts over 140,000 visitors annually. Rob passionately promotes the importance of sustainable and regenerative tourism. A portion of each ticket sold goes to the Pennicott Foundation, to fund important philanthropic activities. Previous projects include eradicating feral cats from Tasman Island and rats from Big Green Island. Pennicott Wilderness Journeys is 100% carbon offset and an Advanced Ecotourism Certified operator.

Pennicott Wilderness Journeys has won 15 Australian Tourism Awards and 32 Tasmanian Tourism Awards including being inducted into the Australian Tourism Awards Hall of Fame for Ecotourism and Sustainable tourism. Robert has also been recognised as an Australian Tourism Legend.

Born and raised in Mount Isa, far North-West Queensland on the traditional lands of my Kalkutungu people. Seleena is an emerging leader within the community as a Senior Cultural Facilitator of Kalkutungu language, dance and traditional practices.

Professionally she works as a Project Officer within the Queensland Tourism Industry Council, focussing her efforts on making sure the voices of First Nations tourism in Queensland is heard.

Seleena is also doing extensive work to progress the Path to Treaty within Queensland, with her appointment to the First Nations Treaty Institute Council.

Tim Chandler is Managing Director / Owner of Cave Hill Creek and Silverband Lodge, leading group accommodation, outdoor recreation and event venues in western Victoria. Tim is recognised as an experienced leader in tourism, outdoor education and camp innovation. A strategic thinker and leader with strong governance, management, organisational and development skills, Tim has a strong track record of delivering sustained business growth, developing people and creating exceptional visitor experiences.

In 2018 Cave Hill Creek’s industry leadership was acknowledged when it was awarded Gold at the Australian Tourism Awards.

Tim is a committed regional community leader and volunteer, including industry appointed Director of Tourism Midwest Victoria, a Judge at Victorian Tourism Awards and member of the Raglan Fire Brigade.