Turning Your Idea Into Reality - The Arts And Science Of Experience Evolution

The Strategist. The Architect. The Developer. The Operator.

David Inches, Peter Walker, Simon Currant and Daniel Leesong will share their approach and key success factors in preparing your new tourism experience concept, experience design, business plan and funding pathway. This workshop's team of presenters has worked in the engine room of hundreds of tourism businesses over several decades, and has been successful in collectively securing over $115 million in project funding.

You'll be taken through the process of market-testing a tourism concept to support a business case for development, including how much it costs and how to attract additional capital.

A 15-minute Q&A panel will complete the session, with e-worksheets and planning templates provided by Evolve Tourism for your use beyond the workshop.

Monday 15 August, 9:00am-10:30am, Hotel Grand Chancellor Launceston

About David

David Inches brings 20 years of tourism development and marketing experience across all corners of Australia and New Zealand. ​

In 2006, David launched his consultancy working with Australia’s tourism visionaries to shape and promote compelling, sustainable and profitable tourism experiences. David’s depth of insight into the global traveller combined with his knowledge of tourism operations, business modelling and contemporary marketing communications places David with a unique skill set.

About Peter

Peter uses design to better understand the world around him. Insatiably curious, he sees each project as a chance to dive into something new, be it place, culture, material or experience. For Peter, architecture is best practiced with a light-hearted, playful and open mindset.

Awarded nationally and internationally for his high profile tourism project portfolio, Peter’s work  includes transforming sensitive heritage sites like Pumphouse Point and The Apple Shed as well as new projects such as Saffire or Devil’s Corner.  His work always has a clear, central idea which informs each design and construction decision. Peter is a past winner of the Timber Design Association’s Timber Awards, the Tasmanian Emerging Architect Prize and a graduate of the RAIA/Dulux Study Tour program for Emerging Architects. 

About Simon

Simon Currant is a tourism developer, and currently serves as a director of the Tourism Council of Tasmania and a Director of TT-Line. His tourism developments include Strahan Village, Cradle Mountain Lodge, Peppermint Bay and Pumphouse Point.

Simon was awarded a Centenary Medal in 2001, Tasmanian of the Year in 2004, and appointed an honorary Member of the Order of Australia in 2006.

About Daniel

Daniel Leesong is the founder of Coal River Farm, Chair of the Tourism Industry Council of Tasmania, Member of the Premiers Visitor Economy Advisory Council, Board member of the Tasmanian Botanical Gardens and has had a long career in Corporate Affairs, Public Relations and Finance. He has previously been Chief of Staff to a former Tasmanian Premier, held CEO roles in tourism and marketing at a State and National level and has lived and breathed the trials and tribulations of starting a business from scratch, navigating the capital raising process and adapting as required to push forward with the Australian Tourism Award winning operation he heads today.

With thanks to Evolve Tourism