Our Symposium
Every year Destination Byron hosts a tourism symposium to bring together stakeholders in the local visitor economy for a day of inspiration, education and connection.
Destination Byron’s 2026 Annual Symposium returning in June, date to be confirmed soon.
Last Year’s Symposium
Thriving Together: Building the Future for Byron Bay
Last year’s annual Tourism Symposium, hosted by Destination Byron at the Byron Community Centre, brought together industry leaders, local businesses, community representatives and tourism professionals for a dynamic day focused on shaping the future of the Byron Shire visitor economy.
Under the theme “Thriving Together: Building the Future for Byron Bay,” the event created a space for honest conversation, fresh ideas and practical collaboration. The goal was simple but ambitious: explore how Byron can continue to welcome visitors while strengthening the wellbeing of the local community and protecting the natural and cultural assets that make the region so special.
The day featured an inspiring lineup of speakers and experts who shared global insights, local knowledge and practical strategies relevant to Byron’s unique destination challenges and opportunities.
Highlights included a sustainability keynote from tourism researcher Sara Dolnicar, one of the world’s leading experts on pro-environmental tourist behaviour. Her session explored how destinations can actively encourage visitors to adopt more sustainable travel practices.
Adaptive surfing champion Mark Stewart delivered a powerful presentation on accessible tourism, highlighting the importance of designing experiences that welcome people of all abilities — an increasingly important sector within the global travel industry.
Economist Clifford Bennett provided a compelling global economic outlook, unpacking key trends shaping tourism and business in the years ahead, while marketing expert Jess Ruhfus shared insights on building powerful brand partnerships and collaborations that can amplify regional destinations.
The morning sessions focused on sustainability, regional tourism data and practical case studies, including how accessible events can open Byron to new visitor segments. A hands-on funding workshop explored different models that could help support the future of destination management in the region — an important discussion given Byron Shire currently operates without a funded destination management organisation.
A working-style networking lunch created the opportunity for attendees to connect with industry peers, exchange ideas and build new partnerships across the local visitor economy.
The afternoon program shifted towards action and collaboration, with keynote presentations followed by a panel discussion featuring community leaders and updates from council representatives. A live Q&A session allowed attendees to share feedback, ask questions and contribute ideas about how Byron’s visitor economy can evolve in a way that benefits both visitors and residents.
The symposium concluded with a strong sense of momentum and shared purpose. Participants left with new insights, practical tools and renewed connections across the industry — reinforcing the importance of collaboration in shaping the future of the region.