The Australian Regional Tourism (ART) Convention will be held in Busselton, Western Australia from 20-23 October 2026, and we’re inviting Expressions of Interest from industry leaders, practitioners and innovators to present at this year’s national gathering of regional tourism professionals.

The 2026 Convention theme, Leadership in Regional Tourism Communities, reflects the role leadership plays in guiding regional tourism through change and opportunity. The program will focus on practical leadership in action, sharing real experiences, lessons learned and ideas that support strong regional visitor economies and communities.

We welcome proposals from across the regional tourism ecosystem, including destinations, local government, operators, industry organisations, researchers and emerging leaders. Whether you have a case study to share, a project delivering measurable outcomes, or insights gained through leading change in your region or organisation, we encourage you to submit an expression of interest.

Session formats may include presentations, conversations, panels or workshops that offer practical learning transferable to regional destinations across Australia.

Topics we’re looking to cover:

• • Accessibility in regional tourism
  • Agritourism
  • Funding and investment
  • Grant writing 
  • Indigenous tourism and cultural experiences
  • Marketing
  • Motivational and professional wellbeing 
  • Product and experience development
  • Social impact
  • Sustainability and regenerative tourism
  • Technology and AI
  • Understanding and applying regional data
  • Workforce and skills

Beyond these topics, we’re also open to fresh, innovative ideas that can spark discussion and drive change in the tourism industry. If you have a compelling case or a thought-provoking approach, don’t hesitate to submit.

If you’d like to discuss your proposal before submitting, please contact Lauren Douglass, CEO, Australian Regional Tourism.