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 on Thursday June 25th.
2026 Tourism Symposium
Join us for a full day of inspiration, insight, and action as we shape the future of Byron Bay together. This year’s symposium features an exceptional mix of keynote speakers, expert panels, and interactive sessions designed to spark ideas and drive collaboration. Our theme this year is “Naturally Byron: Growing a World-Class Visitor Economy”.
9:00 am – Morning Momentum
Welcome to Country
Strategic overview of Destination Byron
Panel – Delivery Luxury Travel Experiences
Fresh insights from regional tourism data
Keynote - Juggling community, sustainability and corporate citizenship
Keynote - Brisbane 2032 Olympics opportunity and overview
Lunch & Local Connections
Working-style lunch designed to foster networking and idea-sharing
Afternoon – Tools for Impact
Keynote - What does the future look like for Byron
200k Regional Night-Time Grant and Winter 2027 festival overview
Live feedback and Q&A to shape Byron’s next steps
2:50 pm - Symposium concludes
3:00 pm - Networking Drinks
4:30 pm - Event ends
Simon Kuestenmacher
Returning to the Destination Byron Symposium this year, Simon Kuestenmacher from The Demographics Group will unpack the latest demographic, consumer and tourism data shaping Byron Shire and the Northern Rivers.
One of Australia’s leading data and trend commentators, Simon will also explore how Brisbane 2032 could impact Byron Shire — from infrastructure and visitation growth through to business, lifestyle and regional opportunities.
Known for turning complex data into engaging real-world insights, Simon’s sessions are always a symposium highlight.
Rebecca Masci
We’re excited to welcome Rebecca Masci to this year’s Destination Byron Symposium.One of the first employees appointed to the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games Organising Committee, Rebecca has spent more than two decades working across mega sporting events, infrastructure and regional development.Rebecca will explore how Brisbane 2032 could shape tourism, infrastructure, investment and international attention across South-East Queensland and Northern NSW — and why Byron Shire has an important role to play in the decade ahead.A must-attend session for businesses, tourism operators and community leaders looking to understand the future opportunities for our region.
Paul Hammond
Destination Byron Symposium will feature Paul Hammond from STR, a CoStar Group company presenting a Byron Shire-specific update on the latest tourism and accommodation data shaping our region.
With 30+ years in global tourism and hospitality, including senior roles with Hyatt, IHG, Booking.com and Expedia Group, Paul brings deep international experience across hotel performance, travel platforms and major global events.
His session will translate STR’s benchmarking data into clear insights on visitation trends, market performance and opportunities for Byron’s visitor economy.
2026 Annual Tourism Symposium Sponsorship
We invite you to partner with Destination Byron’s 2026 Tourism Symposium, taking place on Thursday 25 June at The Byron Community Theatre.
Our program presents a new momentum — new strategy, new engagement with Council and industry, and new funding driving real outcomes. This year’s symposium also comes at a pivotal moment for the region’s visitor economy, bringing together industry, government and local operators to explore how Byron can grow as a high-value, sustainable destination.
This is a valuable opportunity to:
Align your brand with industry leadership and innovation
Gain visibility across the Byron visitor economy network
Support the growth and coordination of the region
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.