Art of Attraction Tourism Summit

Goose bumps...
Only two more sleeps until the Australian Street Art Awards and Grey Nomad Awards winners are revealed.
Flash back to the previous Awards night.

"Dear Caloundra,
We miss you already! 😔 We wish the outcome had been different.
Forever in our hearts,
The Art of Attraction Team."

📸 on IG 🙏

It is with heavy hearts that we share some very disappointing news: the 2024 Art of Attraction Tourism Summit and associated events has been cancelled.
With just a fortnight to go registrations have not been strong enough to move forward.
This has not been an easy decision, but the ticketing and resulting financial picture made this the only option available to us.
Many, many hundreds of hours of work has been invested in organising this conference – by us and by our speakers and presenters, and it pains us to have come all this way without making it over the finishing line.
This is especially true given past delegates and speakers, plus current awards nominees, urged us to produce the 2024 Art of Attraction Tourism Summit and associated gala.
As a result, we were looking forward to this educational celebration, recognising it as a time for regional and rural Australia to come together with metropolitan tourism and art professionals to learn from each other and share successes.
We understand that times are tough due to extreme weather events, tightening of belts, resourcing challenges and flight unreliability in regional Australia all adding to an uneasy sense of insecurity. Like all other organisations, we are not immune to the impact of these vagrancies, nor to the lack of sponsorship uptake.
That having been said, we want to give a HUGE SHOUT OUT to everyone who supported the 2024 Art of Attraction and awards night when they agreed to speak, purchased tickets or embarked on sponsorship. We owe each of you a massive thank you. Your enthusiasm and support is humbling, and your dedication proved invaluable.
An extra special thank you to Portable Creations, our mobile marketing partners.

Image: The unique 'colour your own' satchel produced for the conference. Thanks to street artist Steven Bordonaro for this design. 🙏

The Sunshine Coastal Pathway stretches for 73 kilometres, but this gorgeous little slice is along the waterfront at Bulcock Beach, just a 5-minute stroll from our conference hub.
It's also where you'll find some great food with views for the 'free night'.

By pamella51 on IG 🙏

In the heart of picturesque Caloundra, where the sun-kissed beaches meet a vibrant social hub, there’s a local gem that has been making waves in the world of spirits –
Beachtree Distilling Co. Sunshine Coast.
They're celebrating at the moment with their sugarcane-based Organic Tiger Quoll Vodka having just clinched the prestigious Gold Award for Best Varietal Vodka 2024 at the esteemed World Vodka Awards.
If that’s not enough to win you over, then maybe this distillery’s ‘one bottle, one tree’ policy will. Yep, for every bottle you buy they plant a tree!
And we LOVE that their seltzer cans and distillery building are encased in Steven Bordonaro artworks, just like one of our media walls.*
Steven believes that the whole town is a gallery wall and there's more of his mural work in Caloundra than just the Beachtree Distillery to prove his case.
Distillery open: Wednesday – Saturday 11 am to 4 pm
Where: 14 Industrial Avenue Caloundra West Qld 4551

* Those who attended the inaugural Art of Attraction Tourism Summit may have helped Steven paint a gorgeous piece that forms the basis of one of our media walls.

Camels in Caloundra?
Pretty close!
The adjacent Glasshouse Mountains is home to these 😍 cuddly babies.
QCamel is an agritourism farm with a friendly herd of camels, plus organic camel milk, skincare products, farm tours and, at the moment, numerous bella bubs.
Best of all, it's less than 20 minutes from our conference hub in Caloundra Sunshine Coast!

Caloundra... say no more. 💙

Let your hair down at the dinner, drinks and dance gala. It's your reward after two days packed with learning!
Australian Street Art Awards and Grey Nomad Awards winners will be revealed then, also.
Image from the previous dinner.

Discover gold in Australia's largest mosaic mural... only at the Art of Attraction Tourism Summit.
Tourism entrepreneur and philanthropist Paul McIver is speaking at , sharing his insights into how to 'Think Big' when it comes to regional tourism.
Five million tiny tiles were hand picked for their colour and ability to tell a story. Yet that's just one small part of this creation story. Paul will share insights into the development of this unique attraction at the Art of Attraction.

Australia's largest handmade mosaic mural tells Charters Towers tales Trusted and independent source of local, national and world news. In-depth analysis, business, sport, weather and more.

FEATURE STREET ARTIST REVEALED
One of the country’s most renowned street artists has joined forces with the Art of Attraction team and our conference mobile marketing partners, Portable Creations.
The result? A gob-smacking gala dinner stage, entrance and media wall.
MAN.De - Mandy Schöne-Salter (pictured) is a Blue Mountains based artist whose works feature nature.
She says: "Today we are more disconnected to our natural world than ever before. I want to highlight the important relationship between nature and humans by painting local flora and fauna in an urban environment.”
MAN.De says that we need to be reminded of our role as custodians and protect what is left for future generations to come.
We agree, and we are super excited... it will be a dazzling night of entertainment, food and friendship to accompany the announcement of the winners of the Australian Street Art Awards and Grey Nomad Awards.
Come along, see MAN.De's work for yourself and celebrate alongside those who created and commissioned the very best street art experiences in Australia.
Summit info: www.artofattraction.com.au
Gala tickets: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/artofattraction/1066123 #

SPEAKER ANNOUNCEMENT
Susan Lee is a tourism specialist and author.
Susan brings in-depth regional tourism know-how to create memorable visitor destinations. She works with organisations to fully realise their tourism potential by mastering the fundamentals of storytelling, creating emotional experiences, capturing the self-drive market and tapping into "the weird traveller mindset".
Susan is a marketer, product developer and consultant to the cultural tourism sector and author of 'Booked Out! How to Start and Grow a Successful Regional Tourism Business'.
Susan is one of 30+ speakers over two days.
Read more here:
https://www.artofattraction.com.au/2024-speakers

Nothing beats this sunset from Bulcock Beach with an ice cream in hand.
Just a five-minute walk from our Summit venue.
💜🧡❤️

Image: Sunshine_coast-flooring-xtra on IG, by Chantelle 🙏

SPEAKER ANNOUNCEMEMT
Dr David Gration is the Founding Director of
Events Tourism Associates - an organisation that provides research, workshops and events tourism-related design and planning services.
David is one of Australia’s leading events tourism experts, bringing together academic qualifications, research and 30+ years of event management and marketing in venues, festivals, special and business tourism. He has worked in both metropolitan and regional destinations.
At David will use gamification to give delegates insights into how to create a 365-day-a-year legacy from their community's biggest annual event.
Read more about David and other speakers here:
https://www.artofattraction.com.au/2024-speakers

Stay just one extra day after the Art of Attraction Tourism Summit to enjoy the famous Caloundra Street Fair.
Held in this beachside town's main street every Sunday morning (8 am to 1 pm), it's where oodles of creatives showcase their offerings among the buzz of the fair.
There’s a farmer’s market, buskers, artisanal stalls, local gifts, and don't forget those treats! 😋
Where will you find the 100+ stalls? Smack bang in the middle of town in Bulcock Beach just near our conference home of The Events Centre, Caloundra.

Image: Caloundra Street Fair 🙏

SPEAKER ANNOUNCEMENT
Margret Meagher, Founder of Arts and Health Australia as well as the Hello Koalas Sculpture Trail.
Margret will reveal secrets to developing a successful art or attraction-based trail.
She has worked in arts marketing, event management and the visual and performing arts for 50+ years. Since 2000 she has been a leader in the international field of arts, health and creative ageing, founding ‘Arts and Health Australia’ to promote the positive impacts on health and wellbeing through creative engagement. In 2010, Margret embarked on developing a public art project in Port Macquarie. The Hello Koalas Sculpture Trail was the result.
Read more here:
https://www.artofattraction.com.au/2024-speakers

The Australian Street Art Awards and Grey Nomad Awards winners will be announced at the Art of Attraction Tourism Summit gala dinner.

Iconic Dicky Beach. Where? Yep, Caloundra Sunshine Coast.
See you at the 🙂

By tomomi_aus_life on IG 🙏

SPEAKER ANNOUNCEMENT
Cindi Drennan lives and breathes destination transformation, and she understands the impact that turning the light on to after-dark tourism can have in regional towns.
As founding Managing Director of Illuminart, Cindi became one of the world's top multimedia artists. She has specialised in projection art for more than 25 years.
With an unbound passion for community building at the heart of her practice, she pioneered techniques for pixel mapping, video art and painting with light in the 1990s, before establishing Illuminart in regional South Australia.
In 2023 Cindi was recognised by the Australian Street Art Awards, winning the discretionary Most Outstanding Contribution to Art Tourism Award.
For regional towns, having Cindi and her team create a night-time attraction has proved to be the catalyst for transforming their visitor economies.
Come and learn from Cindi and 30+ other speakers at the Art of Attraction Tourism Summit on QLD's Sunshine Coast, 6 - 8 March.

Where will you be in the first week of March?
Register now - 30+ speakers, 8 main sessions, 16 stream sessions, 2 social events, 1 street art walking tour, 2 epic days.
And this cocktail? It's just a little temptation 😉 thanks to the absolute beachfront Coffee Cat On Kings Beach. They're open every morning from 5.30 am and every evening for an early meal (kitchen closes at 8pm).
Where? Caloundra Sunshine Coast

BILL HAURITZ AM
Founder, Woodford Folk Festival

It’s the equivalent to Australia's 18th biggest population centre, but only exists for less than one week annually.m!
The Woodford Folk Festival is an iconic cultural and arts event featuring more than 2,000 performers, 35 venues and 430 acts.
It attracts an estimated audience of 132,000 people who join in the fun over each New Years, creating a 'temporary town' larger than the population of Ballarat, Launceston or Mackay!
Bill Hauritz AM founded the Woodford Folk Festival (then the Maleny Folk Festival) in 1987 and remained its Festival Director for the next 35 years. He is still Vice President of the organising body, Woodfordia Inc, and the driving force behind its international acclaim.
Bill will share the transformative evolution of the Festival and the tactics which sit behind its mammoth success that every town could gain benefit from learning.

Australia's only conference to explore two of the fastest-growing, most lucrative segments in tourism: Mature-age travel and art-loving visitors.
30+ speakers, 8 main sessions, 16 stream sessions, 2 social events, 1 street art walking tour, 2 epic days.
www.artofattraction.com.au

Bravo. Alpha. Tango. We’re set for take-off!
Where will you find Queensland's biggest public display of military and civilian aircraft? At the Welcome Reception!
Caloundra's Queensland Air Museum has 80+ restored military and civilian aircrafts and exhibits. Think an F1-11 fighter, a mighty Carabou and a darling DC3.
And on 6 March you can add delicious morsels from an award-winning crew, themed entertainment and a fun networking night to that list!
Tickets included in Full Summit Registration or can be purchased separately for partners, artists and Summit Day Only delegates.

Image: FamiliesMagazine on IG 🙏

'Testimonial Tuesday'.
Lovely words from Kim Wildman of St George Region 🙏

Can't believe she said 'Yes'!
KEYNOTE SPEAKER:
Public Art flourished in the aftermath of the Christchurch earthquakes, helping create a new identity for the destination out of the ruins.
Deborah McCormick, as founding Executive Director of SCAPE Public Art, played an integral role in that transformation.
Get your Early Bird tickets before COB 31 January here:
https://www.artofattraction.com.au/registration

QUICK TIP: Colour matters - when you're accepting your award!
Are you hoping to be heading onto the stage at the Australian Street Art Awards or Grey Nomad Awards at the conference?
Red and white are popular colours for evening gowns, but be aware.
Red looks striking and makes a statement that you’re a strong woman, but cameras do not capture red well.
What about white? Stage lights wash out whites and light colours, making people with paler skin look anaemic.
Best options: Wear a cool fabric (so you don't perspire) in a rich, vibrant, darker colour. Dark blues, deep purples, burgundy, jade, off black and dark green are good stage colours.
One final thing: Avoid trails and long trains. They look gorgeous, but aren't very practical in crowded areas, such as at pre-dinner drinks, or descending the stage stairs.
Enjoy, be safe, shine.
All the best for the big night to the 100+ Awards finalists attending .

ARTISTS ANNOUNCED!
We're super excited to announce the artists who have been successful in our 'Meet the Artists' initiative.
They were among dozens who applied for a chance to showcase their skills, personality and styles to delegates.
Each artist will now attend the Art of Attraction Tourism Summit in return for
participating in a 'Street Art Pitch' session and networking with delegates at a special 'Meet the Artists' area during breaks.
For delegates, this means you can gain an insight into how these artists’ talents might match your placemaking and activation visions.
Love a good a win:win!

We agree wholeheartedly with this proverb, and don't want any Jacks - nor Jills - to become bored nor boring.
That's why we have made a pledge to make the Art of Attraction Tourism Summit fun and immersive while you learn valuable grassroots information from people on the ground.
No high flying policies or theoretical philosophies. That's our promise!

(Typewriter image for effect - by cottonbro studio 🙏)

Early Bird savings - final week!
Early Bird elegates will be given first option to take a walk on the wild side on an early morning, cool (in temperature and sights) guided tour of Caloundra's epic street art.
Julie Hauritz is the Public Art Curator for Sunshine Coast Council and knows the tourism town's street art like the back of her hand. With an arts career spanning more than 25 years, she will guide participants on a one-hour street art walking tour through the streets and alleys of this beachside haven, sharing insights about the artworks and the artists who created them.
This small group bonus has strictly limited participation numbers.

Tacos for breakfast? Ohh, yes please!
Coffee Cat On Kings Beach in Caloundra is open from 5.30 am everyday at 8 Levuca Ave. Perfect for your morning pre-conference treat!

Image: by the cafe 🙏

Shhh... it's a secret.
We're working with a renowned street artist and our major partners, Portable Creations,
to create a gob-smacking gala dinner stage and media wall.
Super exciting... the Australian Street Art Awards and Grey Nomad Awards night is coming together brilliantly!
Here's a sneak peak of some of our artist's other works. No spoilers, though - so please keep it to yourself for now if you know her identity. 🙏

When: 6 - 8 March, with the gala dinner on the final night.
Where: The Events Centre, Caloundra - Caloundra Sunshine Coast