Cross Collaboration in Hospitality and related Services: Synergies and Future Possibilities

Cairns, Australia, 26th October 2007

Introduction

The Symposium is based on the notion that collaboration between tourism, hospitality and other service industry providers is key for sustainable regional development and destination management. Shifting demographics, social trends and climate change are subjecting the hospitality sector to unprecedented levels of skills shortages, infrastructure demands and increased and more sophisticated customer expectations. Regional firms must collaborate into the future with government, industry partners, peak associations and engage with regional communities if they are to succeed; this is particularly the case for small and remote service firms. The 'Cross Collaboration in Hospitality and Related Services: Synergies and Future Possibilities, 2007' Symposium, uses a broad services theme in creating a forum for sharing alternative perspectives and provides:

• Complimentary views of the tourism and hospitality industry to establish its position within a larger regional service sector;
• A shared understanding of the linkages and synergies between tourism and hospitality firms and other service organisations;
• Expert sector knowledge of challenges and opportunities; and
• Insights into how service firms may network effectively to achieve and sustain success.

Format

The Symposium is designed for practitioners, professionals and researchers. Plenary sessions and panel discussions feature keynote speakers drawn from the private and public sectors representing peak global and regional industry associations, education and businesses. There are also themed sessions where research papers will be presented by a number of speakers. Delegates will therefore have immediate access to expert advice, commentary and cutting edge research findings. Invited keynote and sessional speakers include:

• The Hon Fran Bailey MP – Minister for Small Business and Tourism, Liberal Party of Australia
• Mr Martin Ferguson MP – Shadow Minister for Transport, Roads and Tourism
• John Borghetti – Executive General Manager, Qantas Airlines
• Campbell Charlton – Managing Director of Kleinhardt Pty Ltd, Cairns
• Mark Evans – Owner, Paronella Park, Mena Creek, Cairns
• Angela Freeman – Owner, Hartley’s Creek Crocodile Farm and Restaurant, Hartley’s Creek
• Don and Judy Freeman – Company Directors, Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park, Cairns
• Brett Godfrey – Chief Executive, Virgin Blue
• Professor Leo Jago – Deputy CEO and Director of Research, Sustainable Tourism CRC, Victoria University
• John Koldowski – Managing Director, PATA Strategic Information Centre
• Bruce Mansfield – Executive Vice President, Australia NZ Visa International
• Gabriel Orti – Management Lecturer, Barrier Reef Institute of TAFE
• Glenys Schunter – CEO, Townsville Enterprises Ltd, Townsville
• Mary Sutton – Tourism Traineeship Manager, Tropical North QLD Institute TAFE
• Ron de Wit – Senior Partner, Atrium Hospitality Services (formerly HVS International) specialist in areas including market demand, feasibility studies and associated corporate advisory services.
• Charles Woodward – Managing Director, CAPTA Group, Cairns

Expert panel open discussion forum

These speakers will also form an expert panel for an open 'current issues' discussion forum including topics such as impacts of security and terrorism, Australian cultural challenges for new incoming tourists, indigenous and remote economic and social development, impacts and responses to climate change.

Industry workshops and Atrium Hospitality Solutions session (formerly HSV International)

Title I - 'The importance of strategic networks, partnerships and alliances in the hospitality industry'
Facilitator: Roy Wybrow

Title II - 'Entrepreneurship, economic development and remote tourism destinations'
Facilitator: Dwight Lemke

Title III - 'Atrium Hospitality Solutions (formerly HVS International) - market demand and, profit improvement programs, valuation and corporate advisory services'
Facilitator: Ron de Wit

Themed research presentations

The Centre for Tropical Tourism and Hospitality invites proposals for papers in the following areas:

• Starting and sustaining your business - topics could include:
  • sustainable government strategies targeting services, tourism and hospitality;
  • existing and future practice at corporate and organisational level;
  • carbon trading options and new opportunities for development of sustainable operations;
  • feasibility, strategic and operational planning and marketing of small tourism and hospitality business startups including restaurants, tours and excursions, accommodation, indigenous enterprises, heritage sites, destination branding.
• Emerging markets - topics could include:
  • new and emerging international and domestic demand patterns with a focus on key enablers such as low cost air travel;
  • 'grey nomads' and baby boomers with increasing disposable income.
• Labour markets - topics could include:
  • skills shortages, demographic changes, volunteer workers, associated government responses and strategies for addressing these issues

Who should attend?

Organisations and individuals with an interest in the services, leisure, tourism and hospitality sectors and how they may effectively network for the sustainable economic and environmental development of the state and region including:

• Industry practitioners and professionals
• Entrepreneurs and small business owners/managers
• Government departments involved in associated strategies, small business development, indigenous entrepreneurship
• Regional and state tourist commissions and agencies
• Consultancy firms
• Researchers and educators

Outcomes

All papers for the Symposium will be refereed by a panel of international academics and will appear as proceedings. Subsequently they will by published by the Centre for Tropical Tourism and Hospitality, James Cook University. Selected authors will be invited to contribute to a special edition of the Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Management.

Refereed symposium manuscripts

Contributions should be approximately 3,500 - 4,500 words and will be double-blind reviewed by leading academics in the general field.

Papers should be submitted by July 20th 2007.

Editorial feedback will be provided by August 17th 2007, with final submissions in by September 21st 2007.

Please submit abstracts to:
Dr Darren Lee-Ross
Symposium Convenor
Centre for Tropical Tourism and Hospitality
James Cook University
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Symposium Venue
The Symposium is hosted by the Shangri-La hotel,
The Marina, Cairns.