ATEC AGM welcomes 2025 Board and celebrates a year of growth
Managing Director Peter Shelley highlighted ATEC’s significant contributions to rebuilding and strengthening Australia’s export tourism sector throughout 2024
The Australian Tourism Export Council (ATEC) hosted its 52nd Annual General Meeting (AGM) on December 3, 2024, celebrating a successful year of industry advancement and support while charting a path for continued growth in 2025.
The AGM saw the confirmation of ATEC’s National Board, with Birgit Bourne from Insight Australia and Kathy Turner from Goway Inbound re-elected unopposed to Buyer positions. Richard Doyle of SeaLink Marine & Tourism was also re-elected to the Supplier position, reinforcing strong leadership for the year ahead.
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Reflecting on 2024 achievements
Managing Director Peter Shelley highlighted ATEC’s significant contributions to rebuilding and strengthening Australia’s export tourism sector throughout 2024.
Key achievements included:
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Facilitating over 17,000 business-to-business (B2B) meetings nationwide, engaging more than 1200 delegates.
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Attracting more than 4000 enrolments in ATEC’s Tourism Training Hub.
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Delivering 13 export industry-specific capacity-building education programs.
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Achieving strong membership growth through renewals and new acquisitions.
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Recording a 95 percent member satisfaction rate, with 98 percent affirming membership value for money.
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Securing the re-establishment of the Approved Destination Status (ADS) program for the China market.
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Negotiating an extension to the Reviving International Tourism Grant (RITG) program, giving members additional time to utilise grant funds.
ATEC’s achievements this year have worked to support Australia’s export tourism sector as it rebuilds through the delivery of critical industry training and expanding market-specific programs,” said Mr Shelley. “We also continue to successfully connect our members through extensive business-to-business events and remain committed to empowering our members while ensuring the sector’s growth in 2025 and beyond.”
Farewell to Denis Pierce
The AGM marked the final meeting for outgoing Board Chair Denis Pierce, whose leadership has been a cornerstone of ATEC’s success. With decades of experience in the tourism industry, including roles as Managing Director of ATS Pacific and service on various tourism boards, Mr Pierce’s contributions have been monumental. In 2000, he was honoured with the Captain Trevor Haworth Award for Outstanding Contribution to the tourism export industry.
Reflecting on his tenure, Mr Pierce said, “It’s been an incredible privilege to work alongside ATEC’s members and the dedicated board. While stepping down as Chair, I look forward to continuing work in, and supporting the industry and seeing it thrive in the years ahead.”
Plans to appoint a new Chair will be announced in early 2025.
Looking ahead
With a strong foundation and proven leadership, ATEC is poised to continue its vital role in advancing Australia’s tourism export industry. The organisation’s focus on delivering value to its members and fostering connections underscores its commitment to ensuring a vibrant future for the sector.
Mandy has over two decades of experience in accommodation and tourism industry writing, and she is also an accomplished editor and publisher. As co-Director of Multimedia Pty Ltd, a trusted B2B content provider for the accommodation and education sectors in Australia and New Zealand, she oversees high-quality print and digital content across notable publications, including AccomNews, Resort News, and School News, along with the property listing platform AccomProperties. Mandy’s contributions have been recognised with the Female Leader Award at the Best of Tourism 2023 and the ARAMA Life Member Award in 2024.