Destination Byron 2025 Symposium Invites Locals to Shape the Future
Pictured L-R: The Destination Byron Board, including Wendy Bithell, Kevin Hunt, Jeanie Wylie, Sam Leo, Petrina Maxwell, Byron Shire Council Mayor Sarah Ndiaye, Destination North Coast representative and Sarah Anderson.
Destination Byron will host its ‘strongest lineup’ yet in October
Destination Byron has announced its 2025 Symposium will be hosted at the Byron Community Centre on Thursday 23 October, inviting all local community members to join for a day of learning and collaboration to help shape the future of Byron Bay.
This year’s theme, “Thriving Together: Building the Future for Byron Bay,” reflects Destination Byron’s renewed focus on managing a sustainable visitor economy that benefits the community.
Destination Byron President Wendy Bithell says the day will be an opportunity for Byron Shire residents and business owners to come together to learn, make new connections and collaborate on practical next steps to improving our region.
“This year’s symposium sees our strongest line-up yet,” Wendy said. “We’re offering a day jam-packed with the latest insights and trends, information on how we can all work to support the transition to more sustainable practices and sessions that give practical advice for local businesses to thrive. Byron Shire is a relatively small community with a huge number of visitors and one of our sessions will invite community input to find ways to better harness this visitation to drive positive outcomes for our residents, local businesses, as well as regenerate our natural environment and unique local culture.”
The morning sessions will include a sustainability keynote by Professor Sara Dolnicar, insights from regional tourism data and a case study on accessible events featuring adaptive surfing champion Mark ‘Mono’ Stewart. Economist Clifford Bennett will provide a global update on business and tourism trends.
A funding workshop will explore practical models for supporting Destination Byron’s future initiatives.
“We’re inviting feedback and ideas from our members to help shape how we grow and fund important work that will benefit the Shire going forward,” Bithell added.
The afternoon will feature a keynote from Jess Ruhfus, an award-winning marketer, on how to create and execute successful brand partnerships. A panel discussion with community leaders and council representatives will follow, along with live feedback and Q&A.
The event runs from 9:00am to 2:30pm, with a working-style lunch designed to encourage networking and idea-sharing.
Sponsors of the event include: Gold Sponsor Byron Community Centre and Silver Sponsors Crystal Castle, Byron Golf Club, Ballina Byron Airport, Wake Up, Tree House, Crystalbrook Byron, BASQ House, Elements of Byron, Cape Byron Kayaks and Business NSW.
Tickets are $89 + booking fee and available at www.byroncentre.com.au.
To learn more about Destination Byron, visit www.destinationbyron.com.au.
Destination Byron has 681 members and aims to instigate positive and sustainable change on matters related to the Byron visitor economy.