Joane McKnight - Chair, Australian Geoparks Forum
Joane is the inaugural and past Director of Kanawinka Global Geopark, a large volcanic area in South East Australia and the 57th member of the Global Geopark Network and 1st in Australia.  Joane facilitated and coordinated education, Geotourism and all associated activities in the Geopark.
Joane is Chair of the Australian Geopark Forum and Deputy Secretary General for Oceania and Board Member for the World Famous Mountain Association based in Jiuliang, China. 
She travels widely within the Global Geopark Network, gaining insight and information.  Since August 2014 she has been employed as a consultant on Geopark matters by Personal Consulting, Fortaleza, Brazil.  Joane's employment in various Project Management positions has proved an excellent background for this.

Presentation:  Geoparks:  Education, Science, Culture.  Women and Sustainable Development
The UNESCO Global Network of National Geoparks was founded in 2004, following the model successfully established in the European Geoparks Network in 2000.  It now comprises 111 members in 32 nations across the world.
The aim of the Global Geoparks Network is to protect, conserve and promote the geological heritage of our planet but do do so in a way where local communities can take ownership of these special places and where they can get sustainable economic benefit from them, through Geotourism.
Global Geoparks complement museums and provide visitors with geological, historical and cultural stories.  Global Geoparks vary widely in size, include very different geological stories, and have different knowledge histories of exploration and cultural connections to the people living in the area.
Geoparks seek to make people understand their richness, linked to history of the Earth.  Geology of the territory shapes our current lives and most human and economic activities.  As there is a strong bond between geoheritage and people, engaging local stakeholders and inhabitants is a logical and necessary step.  The richness of the territory is enhanced by its people, who hopefully will become greeters; volunteers sharing knowledge about places they love with visitors.

Prof. Steven Tingay - Director, Curtin Institute of Radio Astronomy
Steven is a Western Australian Premier's Research Fellow, Director of the Curtin Institute of Radio Astronomy, Deputy Director of the International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research and Director of the Murchison Widefield Array (MWA) project.  Steven has authored or co-authored over 130 papers in international referred journals and has attracted over $80m of research funding over the last decade.
Steven currently leads the MWA project, a $50m international radio telescope recently completed and brought into its operational phase in the remote Murchison regional of Western Australia.  The MWA is the low frequency precursor for the multi-billion dollar Square Kilometre Array (SKA) and he has been an active contributor to the international SKA project for the last decade. 

Presentation:  Shared Skies - Astronomy & Indigenous Art come together to reach diverse audiences.
Steven will discuss a collaborative project that, over the last 6 years, has brought together Australian and South African artists and astrophysicists to share stories of the sky and perspectives on the Universe.  This project has been a huge success and has brought astronomy, Indigenous art and the Western Australian outback to a diverse range of audiences around the world.  Two exhibitions have been produced that have toured the world, and reconciliation goals have been advanced through the project.  Steven will explain how such initiatives can be harnessed for maximum benefit to diverse communities.

Gavin Treasure - Chief Executive Officer, Mid West Development Commission
Gavin took up the role of Chief Executive Officer of the Mid West Development Commission in October 2012.  Prior to this he was employed as Chief Executive Officer for the Shire of Morawa and prior to that Gavin held a senior position with the Geraldton Port Authority.
Gavin hold two post graduate qualifications, a Master of Commerce and a Master of Business Administration.  Gavin is also a Certified Practising Account.
Gavin's passion to be innovate and 'think outside the square' has seen him take leadership roles in key projects such as:
*  Geraldton Port Enhancement Project;
*  Local Government Cooperation & Structural Reform;
*  Mining Company Engagement & Social Sustainability Partnerships;
*  Strategic Planning Initiatives - initially at port and at community levels;
*  Morawa Super Town Project.
During his time at the Shire of Morawa, the Shire was awarded Best Practise in Local Government at the 2010 Regional Achievement & Community Awards.  The Shire also took out the Best Regional Collaborations Category at the 2011 National Awards for Local Government.  In 2011 Gavin was personally bestowed with the Leadership and Innovation Category Award at the 2011 Regional Achievement & Community Awards.

Presentation: Geological Assets - Your Point of Difference
The Mid West Development Commission has spent considerable time in understanding and planning to shape the future of the Mid West region through the establishment of a Mid West Regional Blueprint.  The Blueprint articulates a clear aspirational vision for the Mid West into the future - out to 2050, and clearly describes the growth areas required to fulfil this vision.
Economic Development and in particular Tourism has been recognised as a key driver for regional growth.  Geotourism, amongst other key 'game changing' initiatives, has been identified as a specific area of potential development.
The 2015 FACET Conference will provide an opportunity for delegates to hear first-hand of the growth strategy work being conducted by the MWDC with particular emphasis on Tourism, including opportunities in the Murchison'.


Pip Close - Chief Executive Officer, Augusta Margaret River Tourism Association
Pip is a senior executive with over 30 years experience in the Tourism & Hospitality Industry.  She has worked in 4 states around Australia and has a strong understanding of domestic and international markets.
Pip's career began working with Captain Cook Cruises Sydney Harbour, then tourism bureaus in London (Australian Tourism Commission & Northern Territory Commission)  This was followed with numerous marketing positions with Mirvac Hotels and Ritz Carlton Hotels and then into hotel management where she was a General Manager for a number of years working for National and Global brands including Marriot, Hyatt International Hotels, Mirvac, Peppers Retreats and Spicer's Luxury Lodges.
She has worked for Tourism & Events QLD on a consultancy basis across South East Queensland and was previously General Manager of Tourism Fraser Coast responsible for destination development.
In September 2013, Pip moved to Western Australia to take up the position of CEO with the Augusta Margaret River Tourism Association.  She will head up the new Margaret River Busselton Tourism Association (MRBTA) when it merges in July 2015.

Presentation:  Capitalising on your Geotourism Asset
Pip will focus on how the Margaret River Busselton Tourism Association (MRBTA) best promotes geotourism as part of environmentally sustainable and culturally responsible tourism.  Geology underpins almost all of a destination's natural features and visitors are increasingly keen to learn about this distinctive part of the environment.
Her presentation will focus on geotourism hero experiences - these being iconic experiences that provide a destination with a real competitive advantage - this covers the caves MRBTA operators.
The presentation will include case studies including the improvement in Lake Cave's water levels, the $3 million upgrade of Jewel Cave, and how MRBTA has grown visitation to the region with these iconic experiences.

Paolo Amaranti - Chief Executive Officer - Rottnest Island Authority
With more than 25 years' experience in strategic management, with particular expertise in the tourism, international trade and education services sectors, Paolo has held senior Executive Director positions with the Department of Industrial Development, Department of Commerce and Trade, and the Western Australian Tourism Commission.
He has been with the Rottnest Island Authority since 2004 and during this time Rottnest Island has been successful in receiving an unprecedented number of awards and accolades. Paolo is responsible for contributing with the Board to the setting of the strategic direction for Rottnest Island, guiding the development of a number of major tourism related plans and leading the agency in the operational implementation of the current and future Rottnest Island Management Plans.
Paolo is a current Board member of the Pacific Asia Tourism Association and a member of the Australian institute of Company Directors.

Presentation: WESTERN AUSTRALIA’S NUMBER 1 ISLAND TOURISM DESTINATION


Dr Young C.Y. Ng - Chair, Associatin for Geoconservation, Hong Kong
Dr Young Ng is the founder and current chairman of the Association for Geoconservation in Hong Kong.  He is a pioneer in geological conservation in the Asia Pacific region and is the original proposer and advocator of Hong Kong Geopark.  Young is a recipient of Awards from the Government of Hong Kong for his contribution in this field.
He is a desktop reviewer of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and advised UNESCO's World Natural Heritage unit on seven global geoparks in China.  He has been working in training, planning, nomination, assessment and revalidation of national global geoparks as well as world natural heritage sites since 2006.  In Hong Kong, he is the representative of the Hong Kong Branch of the Tourism Earthscience and Geopark Research Institute of the Geological Society of China.
As a founding member of the Geotourism Forum on Ecotourism Australia, he is actively involved in promoting geotourism and geoparks in Australia.  He is a member of the Geotourism Standing Committee of the Geological Society of Australia.  He teaches geoconservation, geotourism and sustainable development at Universities in Hong Kong, Chinese University of Hong Kong and University of Sydney in Australia.  His research interests are geological heritage protection, geoparks and geotourism.

Presentation:  Geotourism in the Hong Kong Geopark and Australia's Geotourism Opportunities
Geotourism is defined as tourism which focuses on geology and landscape as the basis for providing visitor engagement, learning and enjoyment.  Hong Kong has a strong urbanised setting.  Most geotouism activities are confined mainly to its geopark territory of about 100km2, constituting roughly 11% of the total area of Hong Kong.  Hong Kong is a member of the UNESCO's supported Global Geoparks Network since 2011.  The membership enables it to designate a geologically important area to serve the purposes of promoting geological conservation, education and geotourism.  Tourists are attracted to geological sites by the international branding to appreciate the natural beauty and experience the associated local culture.  These previously ignored sites are able to generate an annual visitation of 1.2 million tourists.  Quality assurance of the sites in terms of outstanding scenery and effective management is its main attraction.  Other attractions include the provision of safe and well-planning land and sea routes, effective guiding and interesting interpretation systems, making the geotourism experiences unforgettable.  Unlike Hong Kong, Australia is a vast country with more than 9,000 national parks, protected areas and reserves, among them there are 19 World Heritage sites.  Some of them are grouped under the National Landscape Programme to form 16 iconic landscapes for more effective conservation and tourism promotion.  They are excellent geotourism venues for exploring and understanding the natural and cultural stories of Australia.  The possible addition of UNESCO's Global Geopark brand may further enhance attraction to these geological sites.  More international tourists, particularly from China, are expected to be involved in the geotourism activities in these areas and thereby stimulating local tourism and creating more jobs for the local communities.

 
Griffin Longley - Chief Executive Officer - Nature Play WA
In 2010, Griffin was appointed by the Department of Sport & Recreation to establish an organisation to promote the importance of unstructured play outside in nature.  Nature Play WA was incorporated in January 2011 and secured independent funding in the June 2011 WA State Budget.
Nature Play WA is now a successful organisation with an international reputation for innovative programs that increase awareness of the benefits of unstructured play outdoors. 
The organisation's flagship program, Passport to an Amazing Childhood, has provided hundreds of outdoor activity ideas and bridges the divide between the digital world where modern children spend so much of their time and outdoor play and has been delivered to more than 170,000 children in less than two years.
Griffin is also an award winning journalist, a weekly columnist with The West Australian Newspaper, and the manager of a program for at risk youth called Night Hoops.




Tom Perrigo - Chief Executive Officer - National Trust Australia (WA)
Tom has extensive experience in heritage conservation, interpretation and management within the community, government and private sectors.  He has a particular passion for heritage to be seen as holistic (nature, Aboriginal and historic) and has led the National Trust in WA in a number of projects and programs that bring these together.  Tom has been Chief Executive of the National Trust Australia (WA) since August 1990.
Tom is committed to working with Aboriginal people and currently the National Trust has undertaken a shared heritage program incorporating both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal values and knowledge across all programs and projects.
Tom was recently elected to the national Board of Ausheritage.  He is also extensively committed to the trails industry and has recently been awarded the inaugural position of Patron for Trails WA.




Karen Morrissey - Tourism Promotions & Development Officer, Shire of Mount Magnet
Karen Morrissey is passionate about Mount Magnet and the Murchison Region and is excited by the progress of radio astronomy in the area and the growing awareness of the regions ancient geology.  Resident almost 40 years on Meeline Station, Karen continues to advocate for robust, inclusive communities, including tourism.  Karen is recipient of an Order of Australia Medal for her work benefiting people living in rural and remote areas and recording local history.  Karen has embraced the social and economic potential for geotourism and astronomy in the Murchison, having hosted astronomers on Meeline since 1986.  In 2012 Karen initiated the annual Mount Magnet Astro Rocks Fest, hosted by the Shire of Mount Magnet.
In 2014 Who's Who in Australian Women, responding to the question of where in the world would you bury your time capsule and why?, Karen wrote, "I would bury my time capsule in the Murchison Region of Western Australia - a place of timelessness, where the oldest rocks on the planet our found."



Jan Barrie - Co-founder & General Manager, Global Gypsies
Global Gypsies is one of WA's most reputable and experienced tour operators.  Established in 1997 by Jeremy Perks and Jan Barrie, the company has won a Tourism Council Gold Medal for Adventure Tourism, a Bronze Medal for Tour Guide Training and Jeremy is the recipient of the FACET Golden Guide Award.  Global Gypsies specialise in leading top quality escorted, self-drive, soft adventure, 4WD tag-along-tours to remote areas in the Australian outback including the Canning Stock Route, Kimberley, Holland Track, Great Australian Bight, Len Beadell Track and more.  The company also run convoy-style safaris to tamer locations for clients with caravans and motorhomes.  In addition, Jan & Jeremy escort tours to exotic overseas destinations like Africa, South America, Antarctica and The Silk Road.
The company's training arm offers professional courses in four-wheel-driving, towing and tour guiding.  They have also developed WA's only 'City Slicker to Outback Jack' training course - an intensive two-day session held in a bush setting which prepares holiday-makers for independent remote area travel.

Presentation:  The Inside Story of Running Outback Tours
Jan Barrie, co-founder and General Manager of award-winning touring and training organisation, Global Gypsies will give a light-hearted insight into what's involved with planning and running an exciting self-drive outback expeditions.  She also poses the question, 'After so much careful preparation, what could possibly go wrong?'

Anthony Aiken - Senior Ranger for Geikie Gorge National Park, DPaW Anthony (AJ) Aiken's family speaks for this country which is known as Danggu to the Bunuba people.  Anthony has been with Parks and Wildlife (and is predecessor DEC) for almost 10 years.  AJ is born and bred in the Kimberley.

Dave Woods - Senior Operations Officer, West Kimberley, DPaW Dave Woods has been with the Department of Parks and Wildlife for six and half years and has lived and worked in the Kimberley for seventeen years.

Jean Johnston - Senior Editor, Geological Survey of Western Australia
Jean is a long-term editor with the Geological Survey and is currently producing a 4-book series on the geology of Western Australia written by experts in the field - two titles of which are already published.  Jean is a keen advocate of making geology exciting and understandable for everyone.  This Geotourism Conference is an excellent forum for that.

Presentation:  'Celebrating geology through architecture'
by Jean Johnston, Angela Riganti & Roger Hocking, Geological Survey of Western Australia
Buildings define famous cities - but it is the stones in those buildings that give them their definite character.  What would Athens be without marble?
In Perth, even from the earliest days of settlement, local limestone was used. The limestone was found right on our doorstep in Fremantle and Perth.  It was abundant, easily worked (cut into blocks), and of course it was durable.  The Old Boys' School in Perth, constructed in 1854 of Tamala Limestone, still survives in modern cityscape, now surrounded by skyscrapers in glass, steel and stone.
To celebrate the importance of stone in a modern city the Geological Survey of Western Australia has published a geotourism brochure called 'Stepping Stones', which takes readers on two self-guided geology trails in Perth.  Trail 1 commences at the eastern end of the city viewing a former clay pit that had been turned into inner-city heritage gardens, ending in Mounts Bay Road at the foot of Kings Park.  Trail 2 allows pedestrians to look as the facades of modern and historical buildings in parts of the premier street in the city, St Georges Terrace.  The beauty and durability of the building stones and the diverse rocks used in building construction make for an interesting promenade.


Jim Sharp - Director General, Department of Parks and Wildlife
Prior to being appointed Director General in March 2014, Jim was Deputy Director General Parks and Conservation in the Department of Environment and Conservation and was Director of National Parks for the Department of Conservation and Land Management for 12 years.
Jim has a background in social research, tourism and recreation access to protected areas, policy development relating to Aboriginal management of natural areas, volunteers, partnerships in conservation, and external funding of parks and conservation.
He is motivated by the belief that a supportive and engaged community is essential to achieving conservation outcomes and that the best way of ensuring that engagement is to give positive rewarding experiences in our parks.
Jim is a Board member of the Bibbulmun Track Foundation and the Munda Biddi Trail Foundation.  The Boards are models for development of unique cross regional partnerships focused on the natural environment.
He has a strong interest in the establishment, promotion and sustainable use of protected areas.

Presentation: Geological Landscapes providing Extraordinary Experiences


Stephanie Buckland - Chief Executive Officer, Tourism Western Australia

Stephanie Buckland is the Chief Executive Officer of Tourism Western Australia, the State Government agency responsible for promoting Western Australia in the domestic and international markets as an extraordinary holiday destination to raise consumer awareness and drive visitation.
Stephanie is a marketing and product management professional with around 20 years' experience in tourism, consumer packaged goods and retail banking.  Prior to joining Tourism WA, she spent 18 years working in the private sector for some of the world's largest corporations.
Tourism is a big business - last year it generated more than 91,000 jobs and $8.3 billion in visitor spend to the State.
As Tourism WA CEO, she plays a lead role in helping to increase the contribution of tourism to WA's economy not only by leading the agency's core promotional functions but by developing partnerships with other key Government agencies such as Planning, Parks & Wildlife, Agriculture, the Metropolitan Redevelopment Authority and Landcorp - all of which have a role to play in supporting the State's tourism industry.

Presentation: Geological Landscapes providing Extraordinary Experiences



Rod Annear - Assistant Director Parks & Visitor Services, Department of Parks and Wildlife
Rod has worked in protected area management for more than 30 years.  He has been a National Park Ranger, Natural Area Interpreter and has managed and overseen the planning and implementation of capital works developments in parks across Western Australia. 
Rod has a large shed (or 2) full of bikes and is a board member of the peak cycling body in WA, Westcycle, representing recreational cycling interests. 
He can be a bit nerdy when it comes to gadgets and has a weakness for coffee and 1970s fashion.

Presentation:  Let There Be Rock
Western Australia has an extraordinary natural environment that is unique and widely varied.  A large part of the attraction is the geoheritage and geodiversity that draws visitors to iconic locations.  The Department of Parks and Wildlife manages many of the significant geoheritage sites in WA.  Part of the challenge of management of natural areas is continuing to engage visitors to natural areas who now have a huge range of other attractions, distractions and entertainment to choose from.
How can we motivate and cultivate our next generation of natural area visitors to visit, engage and learn to love natural places?
Rod will explore new media, devices and communication methods to help engage and develop the next generation of natural area and geoheritage supporters and protectors.