Our Speakers - 2025 National Caravan Industry Conference

Speakers

Meet Our Speakers

Dr Alan Thompson

Doing business in an AI landscape

Alan is a world expert in artificial intelligence (AI), specialising in the augmentation of human intelligence, and advancing the evolution of ‘integrated AI’.

He provides AI advisory to Fortune 500 companies, major governments, and intergovernmental entities including member states of the UN

Wednesday PM

Amanda Stevens

Radical customer obsession: Putting your customer at the heart of everything you do

Amanda is an award-winning keynote speaker, specialising in consumer trends, human behaviour and customer experience.

Her high-impact presentation will provide practical advice on how you can leverage customer obsession to increase revenue and drive competitive differentiation.

Friday PM

Andrew Morello

Developing a world-class entrepreneurial mindset

Andrew is an awarded entrepreneur, investor, author and winner of the first season of the Australian Apprentice.

An engaging and charismatic speaker, Andrew is passionate about sharing his successes with other entrepreneurs, business owners and investors to help them reach their full potential.

thursday AM

Brian Parker

Investment Breakfast: Does market volatility breed opportunity?

Brian joined Australian Retirement Trust in June 2015 as Chief Economist. He previously worked in a series of economics, asset allocation, and communications roles with a range of firms, including Rothschild, JP Morgan, Citigroup, MLC, and the Reserve Bank of Australia.

An engaging speaker, Brian makes the complex world of investment interesting.

This session is brought to you by Australian Retirement Trust

thursday am

Curtis McGrath

From soldier to sports star: A true story of triumph over tragedy

Twenty minutes after losing both his legs in a horrific blast while on service in Afghanistan, Curtis was thinking about what was next.

Less than two years later, he was dominating the sport of canoe/kayaking in para-competition. Hard-working yet humble, Curtis will share his inspiring and positive story in this not to be missed session.

Friday PM

Damien Oliver

Risk vs Reward: How meticulous planning and decisive decisions can spur success

Widely regarded as the greatest Australian jockey of all time, Damien rode 129 Group 1 winners – 20 more than any other Australian jockey.  

Now retired and leaving behind a legacy of excellence and sportsmanship, he is celebrated for his incredible horsemanship and tactical brilliance. Hear his inspirational story of triumph, passion and overcoming adversity.

A private small group luncheon opportunity exists with Damien following his presentation.

Thursday AM

Dr Keith Suter AM

The impact of global instability on the Australian caravanning industry

Keith is one of Australia’s most influential global futurists and media commentators in national and foreign affairs.

He holds three doctorates (including one on international law of guerrilla warfare) and has been a member of the prestigious Club of Rome (an invitation only group of leading long-term global thinkers) since 1993.

thursday AM

Peter Clay

Research Breakfast: State of the industry – risks and opportunities

Peter is a tourism and research expert with over 25 years’ experience working across a range of sectors and organisations, including the UNWTO, cruise, aviation, and destination development. He has served as Caravan Industry Association of Australia’s General Manager of Research and Insights for the past nine years.

In the final stages of his doctorate in smart tourism development in regional economies, Peter is an invaluable asset to the Australian caravanning and camping industry.

This session is brought to you by BIG4 Holiday Parks

Friday AM

Simon Griffiths

Who Gives a Crap: Lessons from running a purpose-led business

Simon is the co-founder of profit-for-purpose company ‘Who Gives a Crap’, which has emerged as one of Australia’s leading toilet paper brands while donating more than A$10 million to building toilets in the developing world.

Hear Simon’s unique story, including how he launched the company with a high-profile crowdfunding campaign that saw him sit on a toilet on a live web stream until he had pre-sold the first $50,000 of toilet rolls.

wednesday PM

Toby O’Rourke

Insights from the USA: A look at the changing face of the American camping consumer

Toby is a global thought leader and visionary for outdoor hospitality and travel, having initiated the “Campground of the Future” innovation project, which seeks to re-imagine camping.

As President and CEO of Kampgrounds of America (KOA), Toby oversees the world’s largest branded system of campgrounds, with over 500 franchised and company-owned locations across North America. KOA is also the go-to source for industry research in the United States, publishing the North American Camping Report annually.

Thursday AM

Speakers

Meet Our Speakers

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