Australia’s Golden Outback AGM in Coolgardie for first time

The tourism body that promotes the Goldfields-Esperance, Gascoyne-Murchison and Wheatbelt regions will have its annual general meeting in Coolgardie for the first time. Monday’s gathering at the Coolgardie Community Recreation Centre will focus on event development opportunities and the challenges the tourism industry is facing. Tourism WA chair Di Bain will be speaking at the AGM, sharing updates on the organisation’s priorities for the region and recent marketing campaigns. Australia’s Golden Outback has provided destination marketing support to promote the region since 2004. However, its five-year strategic plan and funding arrangements with Tourism WA also involve a crucial focus on destination development and capability building for tourism operators in the region. The initiative to hold most of its board meetings in the region started two years ago, and has been crucial in informing destination development initiatives and marketing, as well as allowing the board to have more face-to-face discussions with the local tourism industry and the general community on how that will be achieved. “Australia’s Golden Outback’s continual focus remains on working with local governments, local tourism organisations, operators, and the local communities to work collaboratively to develop and market tourism in the region,” Australia’s Golden Outback chairman Rod Quartermain said. “Having our board members out into the region is a very important step in continuing to build on these key partnerships.” The AGM will be at the Coolgardie Community Recreation Centre from 4.30pm on Monday, with a networking event to follow.