Slick Upgrade

After a brief hiatus, Tim Campbell is returning to the role of Master of Ceremonies for the Travellers Choice Conference.

One of Australia's most versatile and much-loved entertainers, Tim is a star of both stage and screen, having had leading roles on Home and Away, House Husbands and Big Sky, hosting national prime time shows including Celebrity Singing Bee, Wheel of Fortune, National Bingo Night and Postcards, as well as appearing in stage shows Wicked, Rent and Shout! 

In 2023, Tim and husband Anthony Callea accomplished a sold out national concert tour to critical acclaim. This year, they are taking to the stage at the Sydney Opera House and Melbourne’s Hamer Hall in a music spectacular with John Foreman and his Australian Pops Orchestra. 

Tim is one of the most sought after entertainers on the corporate events scene. Being the multi-talent that he is, Tim is renowned for transforming from MC to high energy entertainer with his band - as Travellers Choice delegates well know!

When he's not Dancing With the Stars or entertaining on Channel 9's Carols By Candlelight, Tim is enjoying a quiet, easy going cocktail at home - his social media may tell a different story!!

As Chief Executive of the Australian Travel Industry Association (ATIA), Dean is an inclusive leader who is deeply passionate about the Australian travel industry and represents all travel businesses, regardless of their size or segment, in Canberra, across Australia and around the globe.

Globally, Dean is a Director and Treasurer of the World Travel Agents Association Alliance, advocating for improvements to airline financial settlement. Over the last 20 years, Dean has served as the CEO and Executive Director of the Accommodation Association of Australia and in other roles across the political and public service arms of government. 

Under Dean’s leadership, ATIA has seen significant growth and influence. His efforts have elevated the Association from AFTA to ATIA, providing a strong voice for travel agents, tour operators and wholesalers. His championing of policies that promote fair competition, growth and innovation has greatly benefited members of ATIA and the Australian travel community.

Dean holds a Bachelor of Applied Science, Environmental Management and Tourism from Western Sydney University and a Masters of Management from the University of Technology Sydney.

James 'Cas' Castrission is an explorer and dual Guinness World Record-holder. In 2012, he and best mate, Jonesy made history by completing the longest unsupported polar expedition of all time. In 100 years of polar exploration, they were the first to walk from the edge of Antarctica to the South Pole and back without assistance, surviving 89 days and skiing 2275km in the harshest environment on Earth.

Four years earlier, Cas and Jonesy had 'crossed the ditch', paddling 3318km unassisted across the Tasman Sea in another world first. They braved 10 metre swells, howling winds and adverse currents while enduring severe food and sleep deprivation, to claim the longest transoceanic double kayak expedition. 

Cas is the founder of MyAdventure Group, a business committed to sharing the benefits of having an explorer’s mindset with the corporate world, and the author of two bestselling books, Crossing the Ditch and Extreme South.

We look forward to what Cas has to share at the conference, thanks to the generosity of our Keynote Speaker sponsor, Quark Expeditions.

Jill Robinson MBE has been a pioneer of animal welfare in Asia since 1985 and is widely recognised as the world’s leading expert on the cruel bear bile industry, having campaigned against it since a visit to a bear farm in southern China in 1993.

Exposing the plight of endangered Asiatic black bears (also known as moon bears), cruelly farmed and milked for their bile, and learning how easily herbs and synthetics could replace bear bile, Jill embarked on a journey to end the practice of bear bile farming once and for all, and in 1998 she founded Animals Asia.

The organisation has since rescued almost 700 bears, caring for them at its award-winning bear sanctuaries in China and Vietnam. From its small beginnings in Hong Kong, where it is still headquartered, Animals Asia has grown into a respected international NGO, with over 300 staff and offices across the world.

We are grateful to Adventure World for sponsoring Jill to attend the conference.

Kathryn has more than thirty years' experience in the aviation and travel industries. Kathryn started her career at British Midland International working across product, marketing and loyalty roles. She then moved to Air New Zealand where she spent 13 years in a range of senior commercial roles across the Americas, the UK and Europe, as Regional General Manager for Australia, based in Sydney, and Group General Manager Sales, based in Auckland.

Kathryn returned to Sydney after accepting the Chief Commercial Officer role at Carnival Australia where she was for 18 months. Kathryn joined Qantas in April 2024 as Executive Manager – Global Sales and Distribution. Kathryn oversees the combined domestic and international sales team and, together with the Regional General Managers in Qantas' overseas markets, she plays a key role in strengthening the airline's relationships with key corporate and trade partners.

Dave Humphreys is Director of Sales for Royal Caribbean in Australia and New Zealand and drives transformation to match the changing landscape of the travel industry.

Having held leadership positions in entertainment, sport and tourism, Dave brings creative solutions to commercial opportunities.

Dave is an advocate for tourism. He is regularly involved in judging for the NSW and WA Tourism Awards, has sat on various industry boards and been a guest lecturer at Curtin University, Murdoch University and TAFE.

He is accredited by the Institute of Sales Professionals, the Australian Marketing Institute and Venue Management Association.

For over twenty years Adventure World Managing Director, Neil Rodgers has forged the company's commitment to sustainable travel with passion and conviction.

"Our 40+ years credentials of sustainability have always been at the forefront of our business, but now it is our mandate. We do not "Greenwash", we "Make Travel Matter" and invest significant funding annual to support worldwide projects that make the world a better place."

Adventure World offers ethical travel for conscious travellers looking to explore and believes that as travellers, we each have the power to influence change. Adventure World shares expertise and experiences with travellers so they can "Travel With Purpose" - gaining deeper connection, knowledge and understanding of the places they go, the people they meet and the wildlife they see, to help better our planet and inspire others to do the same.

"To travel with purpose we must be informed, take the time to investigate and learn, we must educate others, we must be ambassadors for a cause."