TEAMWORK, SERVICE FOCUS AT SEQ COUNTRY CONFERENCE

Regional collaboration, drive tourism, food and wine tourism and country-style hospitality and consumer service will be the focus of the second annual South East Queensland Country Conference at Kooralbyn on Thursday.

Tourism Minister Margaret Keech said the conference had attracted experts from across the country.

“The South East Queensland Country Conference was a huge success in its first year in 2005,” Mrs Keech said.

“This year’s event covers more key topics for the local tourism industry, with particular focus on drive tourism as one of these areas and a presentation on drive tourism by Shane O’Reilly from O’Reilly’s Rainforest Guesthouse.

“The drive market is huge for South East Queensland and one that we are working hard to develop even further/

“Shane O’Reilly has extensive experience in the short break drive market, being one of the family owners of the iconic O’Reilly’s Rainforest Guesthouse and Canungra Valley Vineyards.”

Mrs Keech said celebrity chef Matt Golinski would speak about food tourism.

“Food tourism is becoming a huge market, particularly for South East Queensland Country, and one that we have worked hard to develop even further in recent years,” she said.

“Matt Golinski is from the SunshineCoast, and has travelled the world to broaden his culinary knowledge.

“His input at the conference will be invaluable, and he will also be treating delegates to some local gastronomic delights.”

Chris Buckingham from Destination Gippsland will give a presentation on regional collaboration.

“Regional collaboration is a critical topic, particularly for South East Queensland Country given that it is the alliance of five local tourism bodies,” Mrs Keech said.

“Chris Buckingham has been heavily involved in tourism development in Victoria’s Gippsland region.

“Delegates will also hear from business training consultant Terry Hawkins on the topic of hospitality and customer service and on wine tourism from James Tweddell of successful South Australian wine company, the Nepenthe Group.

“Wine tourism is a huge market here in the SunshineState, particularly for South East Queensland Country, and one that continues to develop.

“James Tweddell is the founding Managing Director of the Nepenthe Group. He is speaking on successful wine tourism, from vines through to market.”

Mrs Keech said the popularity of the South East Queensland Country Conference was testament to the commitment of the local industry.

“We have received tremendous support from the industry and it’s a fantastic example of a successful collaboration between all parties concerned,” she said.

“South East Queensland Country is the amalgamation of five major regional tourism bodies and the conference reflects this spirit, with a host of tourism experts and industry leaders coming together to share their knowledge and ideas.

“Tourism in so many parts of South East Queensland Country is burgeoning and this event is crucial to the continued growth of these markets.”

The Conference has been backed by the Beattie Government’s departments of Tourism, Fair Trading and Wine Industry Development and Primary Industries and Fisheries, Vink Publishing, Beaudesert Shire, Offset Alpine Printing, Queensland Newspapers and RACQ Touring, as well as other industry sponsors.

Partners in the event include Tourism Queensland and regional tourist organisations - Brisbane Marketing, Fraser Coast South Burnett Tourism, Southern Downs Tourist Association, Toowoomba and Golden West Tourism and TourismSunshineCoast.

The Conference is being held at Kooralbyn Hotel Resort, near Beaudesert. For conference information contact Tourism Queensland on 3535 5470 or email kerrie.beck@tq.com.au

Media contacts: David Smith 3225 1005 / 0409 496 534 or Louise Yates (Tourism Queensland) 3535 5349 / 0419 713 176