The 2025 Destination and Visitor Economy Conference will be held from 26-28 May in the Tweed region.

Destination NSW is the strategic sponsor of the event, which is the largest local government sector visitor economy forum in Australia.

Hosted by Tweed Shire Council, hundreds of delegates are expected to converge on the Tweed to hear from stakeholders, leading researchers, practitioners and industry experts on the latest trends in tourism.

Speakers will include the NSW 24 Hour Economy Commissioner Michael Rodrigues, Tourism Australia Managing Director Phillipa Harrison and former Executive Director of Lonely Planet Gus Balbontin.

The Top Tourism Town Awards will also be presented during the conference, which will be held at Mantra on Salt Beach, Kingscliff.

There will be workshops on topics including ‘Smart Destinations,’ ‘Drive Tourism’ and ‘Creative Destinations through Art, Culture and Museums’.

There will also be panel sessions on rural and regional events and how to leverage tourism through music and culture, featuring the Head of Sound NSW Emily Collins.

Local Government NSW President Cr Darriea Turley AM said: “The conference allows mayors, general managers and council officers the opportunity to hear first-hand all of the latest innovations, from how to attract tourists to their regions to how to showcase the experiences they have to offer.”

Mayor of Tweed Shire Chris Cherry said: “Located on the border between NSW and Queensland, the Tweed is the gateway to NSW and one of the fastest growing regional cities in the state.

“The conference will provide a great opportunity to highlight some of the unique issues facing Council in this region, while showcasing the incredible beauty and experiences on offer.”

General Manager of The Tweed Tourism Company Sally Scott said: “We are excited to welcome delegates to the Tweed for this major event and look forward to creating a program around the conference agenda to showcase our region’s unique experiences and landscapes, from wellness team building adventures to agritourism site visits and unforgettable.”

Learn more about the conference here.