Larni Davies

I am a tourism professional with over 27 years of experience in the tourism industry.I began my career as a Travel Consultant with Tourism Tasmania. Her Adventure Guiding career began in Canada in 1993 after travelling extensively through Asia, Canada and Alaska. Returning home to Tasmania after being away for six years, I guided with Tasmanian Expeditions escorting clients on multi-day experiences in Tasmania's World Heritage Wilderness Areas.I later began guiding for the award-winning Cradle Mountain Huts and the Bay of Fires Walk. I moved into the role of Sales Manager and then onto General Manager of the company. This position gave me the opportunity to be involved in marketing at a national and international level, managing sixty seasonal guides, recruitment, rostering, training and performance.In 2004, I was the recipient of The Harry Holgate Fellowship - a major research scholarship. Under this Fellowship, I travelled to Canada, Andorra and South Africa to research ways in which best practice training models and investment in training and skills development in nature-based tourism could maximise opportunities in Tasmania. My research findings were published in 2005.I have represented Adventure Tourism on the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area Consultative Committee for three years, which was a Federal Government appointment. I am also a Judge for the Tasmanian Tourism Awards.I currently coordinate the Adventure Tour Guiding Program at TasTAFE, and I'm also employed by Tourism Tasmania's Visiting Influencer Program, where I host international and national media and trade visits to showcase Tasmania. In 2016, I launched the Tasmanian Guide Agency – an agency offering premier guiding services for the tourism industry in Tasmania.I have a passion for Tasmania's natural environment, and spending time with my young family boating and bushwalking when I can!

Sam Denmead

Born and bred Tasmanian, I’ve been in the tourism industry for well over 20 years now both here in Tassie, and around the traps a bit too.After working in the hospitality industry to support myself through uni, then some experience overseas, I came back to Tassie for a fantastic job at Tourism Tasmania, that I then left, to start my own business. After 9 years as a cycle tour operator, (and considering the current focus on cycle tourism I was a bit ahead of my time,) I took off again with my family for a break. With some experience in a not-for-profit tourism venture in WA, then in regional marketing here in Tassie, I finally found my niche in running my own tourism and marketing consultancy where I feel I can do the most good for the most people.In past years I've been the recipient of the Premiers Award for Young Achiever at the Tasmanian Tourism Awards, and Telstra Young Business Woman of the Year for Tasmania.I'm currently the President of the Launceston and Tamar Valley Tourism Association (LTVTA), I sit on the Cataract Gorge Advisory Committee for City of Launceston, and recently started as a mentor for Business and Employment Tasmania.Aside from creating this roadshow series, I also developed the Bike Friendly Accreditation Program, and am again coordinating the Tasmanian Tourism Awards. In my spare time I run a few events, work with clients to help develop and implement marketing programs, present workshops for corporate clients, squeeze in a bike ride now and then with my husband, and play endless games of Uno and Monopoly with my kids.

David Reed

I’ve been in and around the Tourism Industry for far too long most people would say – but I started my first tourism business in 1983 - some 35 years ago now...Since then, My history covers a wide range of exploits as I’ve owned and / or operated restaurants, charter airlines, accommodation of all shapes and sizes, jet boats and over the time advised governments and industry alike about tourism, business development and hospitality though my own consultancy practice .

I was also the GM of Strahan Village in its heyday for 4 years , (with GRC and the WCW railway) and even did a stint as the GM of the Port Arthur Historic Site back in the ‘90’sThroughout all this time - I’ve believed strongly in the value of our industry body and have served on the Tourism Council as a Director for ages - until last December. I’ve also served on regional tourism bodies and various government boards. Currently, for my sins - I’m the Chairman of the Bicheno food and wine festival.

A couple of years ago now my partner Dinky and I invested in developing Cod Rock Point – 3 smart units of accommodation right on the ocean at Bicheno and we also have an apartment in King St Sandy Bay - up from the yacht club – so I am still doing business each and every day.