Hospitality and Tourism Management

Marcus Hanna is the General Manager at Sofitel Gold Coast Broadbeach

John van der Wallen is a Senior Fund Manager, CPHF, Colonial First State Global Asset Management

Barry Robinson has been the CEO and Managing Director of Wyndham Vacation Resorts Asia Pacific since September 2003. Under his supervision, both Wyndham Vacation Resorts Asia Pacific and Wyndham Hotel Group in the South Pacific are actively expanding into new Asian markets. In 2009 Barry launched the Wyndham Hotel Group brand in the South Pacific as Managing Director. Barry held a number of senior leadership positions in the Asia Pacific region before coming to settle on the Gold Coast. During his career, he has worked for some of the world's largest hospitality companies including Swiss-Belhotel International, Swissôtel Worldwide Partner Hotels and Choice Hotels International. He has consulted and sat on a number of boards and is an active member of Young Presidents Organisation and regularly participates in panel discussions at ANZPHIC. Barry was awarded the ATHOC "Outstanding Contribution to the Industry" award in 2009. He is a certified CHA and attended the William Angus School of Hospitality as well as successfully completing the YPO Harvard leadership program in 2009.

Marion Charlton is the general manager of commercial and terminal operations at Gold Coast Airport. Marion has her hands full ensuring the smooth running at one of Australia’s fastest growing regional airports.

Victor Tiffany joined Tabcorp Casinos Management Division in early 2009 as Head of Hospitality. Victor has been heavily involved in all new planning and development of Star City’s Casino and Hotel in Sydney currently under construction as part of the $860 million redevelopment. In addition, Victor oversees all Hospitality including Hotel and Food and Beverage Operations for ECHO ENTERTAINMENT GROUP’s properties in Brisbane, Gold Coast and Townsville.

Tamara is the Manager of Communications and Community Engagement for the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games bid team. Tamara comes from an extensive background in PR, marketing and events and was working on a variety of projects in her own PR company but the opportunity to be a part of a potentially ‘life changing’ project for the Gold Coast was too exciting. Tamara aimed to ensure as many people as possible understood the benefits the 2018 Commonwealth Games would bring to the city and urged us all to ‘Get Behind the Bid’!

Peter has 35 years of experience within the tourism industry. Since 2009, Peter has operated his own Gold Coast based tourism consultancy known as “In 2 Tourism” Marketing Solutions. Prior to this, he held senior Sales and Marketing positions with Warner Village Theme Parks and Sea World Resort, where he was employed for a period of over 33 years. He has been an active participant in numerous tourism industry associated boards and advisory panels at a national, state and regional level. Peter is committed to the ongoing growth and sustainability of the industry, especially from the international marketplace, in which he is particularly well versed.

As VP Sales and Marketing Dusit International, Jennifer managed the rebranding of the company and the rollout of the 5 hotel sub brands. In tandem she has been responsible for fully integrating the marketing functions of sales, central reservations, revenue management, ebusiness, marketing services and public relations, including the CSR programmes for the company, whilst providing sales and marketing support to the company’s 22 properties with 10 under development, in China, India and the Middle East. During her six years in Singapore, Jennifer focused on the growth of intra regional Asia Pacific travel, which accounts for 60% of business into Singapore’s luxury hotel market. The emerging markets of China, India and the Middle East attributed to this success, as well as having an intimate understanding of the feeder markets in the Asian region during crisis periods such as 911, SARS and political uphevals.

Jacqui Taylor is the Director of Business Events at the Gold Coast Convention Bureau

David Cox is the Niche Markets Manager at the Gold Coast Tourism Bureau. David has worked within the marketing and membership services department at Gold Coast Tourism for six years and is responsible for growing the international education sector plus the backpacker and youth markets for the region. Prior to this David has extensive experience within the tourism and travel industry, working previously as an International Sales Executive and Conference Sales Executive for Couran Cove Island Resort, Inbound Travel Agent for Australian Holidays and also other hotel chains and theme parks.