May 8

Date

Industry Update at a glance:

  • Hearts & Minds Conference full program
  • Hospitality Now Conference
  • Free ATDW training to strengthen your online presence
  • Business Skills Mentoring Program
  • Victorian Tourism Awards nominations now open

 

HEARTS & MINDS CONFERENCE

Full conference program now released

We are thrilled to invite you to the Hearts & Minds Conference at Cleveland Estate on Tuesday, 26 May 2026. Join fellow tourism and hospitality professionals from our region an enriching day filled with insights and innovation. Check out the full program.

For tickets and more information, click the link below.;

 

HOSPITALITY NOW CONFERENCE

The essential forum for food and drink professionals

We’re excited to welcome the Hospitality Now Conference to Victoria’s Heartland this year, hosted at Lake House in Daylesford on 1 June.

Hospitality Now is a forum for food and drink professionals who want to learn, polish, or share the skills needed to survive and thrive in the toughest market the trade has ever seen.

 

FREE ATDW TRAINING

Thursday, 11 June, 10:00am – 10:45am

Do you need some help creating or renewing your ATDW profile, or would like some tips on optimising it?

Destination Central Victoria and Visit Victoria invite tourism operators from across the region to join this webinar and learn more about the platform, and how you can optimise you profile for higher traffic and leads to your website.

 

 

 

40th VICTORIAN TOURISM AWARDS

Nominations now open

Nominations are now open for the 40th Victorian Tourism Awards. The awards recognise outstanding achievement in business excellence, professionalism and collaboration across Victoria’s visitor economy.

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.

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

 

BECOME A PARTNER

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.