April 23

Date

Industry Update and Speaker Announcement

Industry update at glance:

  • First Hearts & Minds Conference keynote speaker announced
  • Free ATDW webinar
  • Victorian Tourism Awards nominations now open
  • Business Skills Mentoring Program

MEET OUR FIRST KEYNOTE SPEAKER

We are excited to announce our first keynote speaker, Despina Karatzias, the founder of the Institute of Excellence, a leading training and mentoring organisation dedicated to building capability across tourism and small business.

Despina’s HEARTS, MINDS & THE BOTTOM LINE keynote has been prepared specially for us. It’s a fast-paced 45-minute session that shows how to win customers, create referrals, and package for profit with AI to help you work smarter, not harder. The session weaves together four pillars:

  • Hearts – building a loyalty-driving service culture through the Visitor Service Excellence framework and identifying moments that define “exceptional” for your business.
  • Minds – designing referrals as a deliberate strategy by triggering, designing, and activating a thriving community ecosystem.
  • The Bottom Line – packaging value-promoting bundles that increase average spend and profit without relying on discounts.
  • The AI Advantage – demonstrating how human and AI collaboration amplifies performance, including an independent audit to benchmark priorities and practical AI tools to boost day-to-day operations, with no tech background required.

 

Details: Hearts & Minds – Technology with Human Touch

Date: Tuesday 26 May 2026
Time: 1pm registration for 1.30pm start
Finish: 5pm
Networking drinks and nibbles: 5pm – 7pm.
Location: Cleveland Estate – 55 Shannons Road, Lancefield, Vic 3435

This is a ticketed event:

  • Engaged and Strategic partners receive one ticket as part of their partnership
  • Additional tickets: $79
  • Non-partners: $99

 

 

FREE ATDW WEBINAR

Thursday, 30 April, 11:00 am

Destination Central Victoria and Visit Victoria invite tourism operators from across the region to join this Australian Tourism Data Warehouse (ATDW) webinar.

This 40-minute webinar will cover how to:

  • Maximise your profile’s visibility on our Victoria’s Heartland website, Visit Victoria and a range of other distributor websites
  • Write an engaging description, using keywords and AI
  • Select your best images that highlight your unique selling propositions
  • Add deals and packages for more sales
  • Add events for more exposure
  • Tips and Visit Victoria resources

 

 

VICTORIAN TOURISM AWARDS

Nominations now open

Nominations are now open for the 40th Victorian Tourism Awards, offering operators across Hepburn, Macedon Ranges, Mount Alexander and Central Goldfields the chance to showcase excellence and innovation within our region.

The Awards recognise outstanding achievement in business excellence, professionalism and collaboration across Victoria’s visitor economy, with finalists and winners celebrated at the Gala Ceremony attended by around 900 industry professionals from across the state.

In addition to the Awards program itself, a range of extra support options, including access to experienced mentors, will be available to assist businesses in preparing strong, competitive submissions.

Nominations close 27 May so start planning your entry NOW!

 

 

 

BUSINESS SKILLS MENTORING PROGRAM

Expressions of interest now open

The Victorian Government is offering free mentoring for small business owners – three one-hour sessions with an experienced mentor. It’s all about helping businesses tackle challenges, build skills, and make real progress.

The program focuses on six key sectors: advanced manufacturing/defence, health and medical tech, circular economy, digital tech, agribusiness, and regional tourism.

Eligible businesses can register for their sessions until 31st May 2026.

 

We’re stronger together

Tourism thrives when our region works as one. From the Goldfields to Spa Country, we each play a vital role in creating world-class experiences and driving sustainable growth to Victoria’s Heartland.

Now is the perfect time to become an Engaged or Strategic partner to receive your complimentary Hearts & Minds Conference ticket.