The 2025 BYATA Conference brings you…

UNIQUELY PLACED FOR SUCCESS

Your 2025 BYATA Conference Speakers are:



Master of Ceremonies
Haydn Marriner

On behalf of BYATA, we're delighted to welcome one of the most recognisable faces to our industry! The International Man of Tourism - Haydn Marriner!!

A staunch advocate for our youth, backpacker and adventure operators, Haydn has over 20 years in the tourism industry, working for everyone from the legendary Kaitiaki Adventures to the infamous Contiki and everything in between.

A highly experienced brand marketer and sales person, Haydn brings the full sum of his experience and charm to being the MC BYATA 2025.

Justine Schroder - Gin Maker, My Fyffe Distillery

Justine Schroder is the passionate founder and sole operator of Mt Fyffe Distillery, Kaikōura's only boutique farm distillery.

A former midwife who settled in the region over seventeen years ago, Justine transformed her family's sheep and beef farm at the foot of Mt Fyffe into a thriving artisan gin venture in 2021.

Driven by a love of challenge and sustainability, she handcrafts every step-from foraging native botanicals (like kānuka, elderflower, rosehip, seaweed) to distilling, bottling, and packaging-producing just 34 bottles per batch (~1,800 annually).

Her two award-winning blends-Woolshed Gin and ocean-inspired Shearwater Gin-share the story of her land and its endemic birds. Committed to community, she donates $3 per bottle to local conservation and health causes, uses locally sourced materials, and achieved a silver Qualmark sustainability accreditation. Justine's dream is to put Kaikōura firmly on New Zealand's gin map.

Mt Fyffe Distillery


Lisa Bond- Destination Manager, Destination Kaikōura

With over 30 years of experience in the tourism industry, Lisa Bond is a passionate advocate for Kaikōura and its people, over this time proudly promoting the region both nationally and on the world stage.

Her deep knowledge, genuine care for community, and unwavering commitment to sustainable tourism have helped shape Kaikōura's reputation as one of Aotearoa's most iconic coastal destinations.

From marine encounters to night sky experiences, Lisa has worked tirelessly to ensure the stories of Kaikōura are shared with authenticity and heart. Lisa is not only the Destination Manager for Destination Kaikōura but also a third term District Councillor, her leadership through challenging times, including natural disasters and recovery phases, reflects her resilience and dedication to both place and purpose.

Driven by a love of people and place, Lisa continues to lead with vision, helping Kaikōura thrive as a destination that inspires connection, care for nature, and unforgettable experiences.


Maura Halpin – Client Partner, Tik Tok

Maura is a strategic, insights-driven marketer who believes creativity is the catalyst for emotional connection and outsized commercial impact.

Currently a Client Partner at TikTok, she helps brands harness the platform’s unique blend of creativity, culture, and inspiration to drive meaningful business results.

Before joining TikTok, Maura spent 11 years at Google Australia across sales strategy, creative innovation, and B2C brand marketing. Most notably, she led consumer marketing for Google Search in Australia, stewarding the brand through major reputational challenges—including the bushfires, COVID-19, and the ACCC News Media Bargaining Code. During this time, she developed the "Helping you, help others" brand platform, which earned multiple accolades (B&T TV Ad of the Year ‘22, Mumbrella Campaign of the Year ‘22, ARIA Award ‘23) and strengthened Google Australia's brand health during difficult reputational headwinds. 

Maura began her career in strategy and planning at leading San Francisco creative agencies including Goodby Silverstein & Partners and Venables Bell & Partners, before joining strategy innovator Naked Communications in Sydney.

An Aussie-American, Maura relocated to Auckland, where she lives with her Kiwi husband and two daughters.


Alisha Palin – Head of Marketing and Brand, Travvia (Jucy and Star RV) –

With a sharp focus on the 18-35 market, Alisha creates bold, playful campaigns that tap into the freedom and fun of campervan travel.

She brings deep expertise in Gen Z behaviour, social media strategy, and brand storytelling that connects with young travellers across Aotearoa and beyond.



Lynda Keene - CEO, Tourism Export Council

Lynda Keene is the Chief Executive of the Tourism Export Council of New Zealand, the leading voice and experts on international tourism and trends.

The Tourism Export Council advocates and represents the interests for NZ inbound tour operators and tourism suppliers.

Lynda has extensive experience in tourism across a range of sectors including the inbound sector, regional marketing, education, and consulting work in Vietnam, Cook Islands and in South Asia.


Greg Thomas - GM Membership and Advocacy, Tourism Industry Aotearoa

TIA is New Zealand's only independent association that represents all sectors of New Zealand's large and diverse tourism industry. Representing 1200 member businesses from small owner/operators to large publicly listed tourism corporates and international hotel chains. TIA is striving for New Zealand to become world-leaders in 'next generation' tourism - tourism for good. Tourism that brings value to those who travel here and those who live here.

Greg Thomas leads membership services, advocacy, policy and sustainability at TIA. He plays an integral role in delivering impact for members and supporting the growth of a sustainable tourism industry in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Prior to joining TIA Greg worked for a number range of prominent New Zealand organisations, including Wellington Airport, Telecom, NZ Post and Outward Bound He has a strong background in marketing and market research, developing value propositions and service experiences across different market segments. I then expanded my career to His experience also includes corporate communications and stakeholder engagement.

Greg brings extensive leadership and industry expertise to his role, with a focus on advocacy and delivering value to the tourism sector.

Craig Walsh - Engagement Partner, Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE)

Craig Walsh is an Engagement Partner in the Sectors team at the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE), with a focus on Immigration. He has many years of experience working for Immigration New Zealand, in different roles.

As Engagement Partner he works with various sectors, including Tourism and Hospitality. This includes working with sector bodies (such as BYATA) to provide information, education, gather insights and connecting Immigration New Zealand with stakeholders and customers.

Renee Goodsell & The Tomahawk Team

AKA: Tourism People That Do Digital Marketing

Long-time BYATA supporters and champions of all things tourism marketing, the Tomahawk team are back, and this year, they're bringing some AI firepower with them.
Leading the charge in person will be Tomahawk's General Manager, Renee Goodsell, who'll be sharing insights from their latest adventures in artificial intelligence. But she's not coming alone, some of the T-Hawks will pitch in with video snippets to showcase their top AI hacks for busy tourism operators.
In 2024, Tomahawk launched their AI for Tourism Guide, so one year on, it's the perfect time to look at what's actually working, what's hype, and how AI can make your marketing life easier.

Come say hi and geek out with us about all things AI, digital, and tourism. We'd love to chat!


Andrew Shaw, Lane Neave

Andrew is the Managing Partner of Lane Neave and he heads the Employment Law Team. He has 28 years experience and is recognised as one of New Zealand's top employment, ACC and health & safety law practitioners.

Andrew is currently on the New Zealand Law Society ACC Committee, having previously been on the New Zealand Law Society Employment Law Committee (for six years), where he assists in providing guidance on proposed legislation.

Andrew is an experienced litigator and he has appeared in the Employment Relations Authority, Employment Court and ordinary Courts, including the Court of Appeal and advising on a Supreme Court appeal. Andrew also regularly participates in private and MBIE mediations.

Andrew has a strong interest in public policy, as this relates to his specialist areas, and as such he is contacted by the media to make comment on current issues of importance. He is also involved in assisting a number of charities, include the Stroke Foundation and MS & Parkinson Society.

Becs Minkley, Lane Neave – Senior Commercial Manager, New Zealand Rugby

Becs Minkley (nee Annan) is currently the Senior Commercial Manager at New Zealand Rugby, with over 25 years of commercial and marketing experience in the sports, tourism, and FMCG sectors.   

A degree in Hospitality Management, Bec's has worked with world-leading sporting organisations such as New Zealand Cricket, New Zealand Netball and Softball New Zealand helping to achieve their commercial and governance goals in a competitive sporting landscape. She is passionate about sports and has supported the commercial development of sport within New Zealand for the past 10 years. 

Prior to sport, Bec’s created a niche tourism business working with respected tourism operators facilitating important stakeholder engagement, relationships and sales representation of NGO’s and Government.  Her belief and passion in the tourism industry, lead her to be an integral member in starting a number of businesses, such as BYATA, Stray Travel, Unleashed Travel & Exposed Marketing. Having started the latter, over 23 years ago.

Becs has also had extensive experience by managing offshore Marketing teams.  The first being Magic Memories throughout Australia, the UK, USA, China and South Africa.  Attending the IAAPA Tradeshow in Orlando which secured FC Barcelona as an Official Partner.   Secondly, spending 8 years in the UK as Gatorade’s Marketing Manager delivering large-scale strategy and flawless execution.

Bjoern Spreitzer - General Manager New Zealand and Business Events, Tourism New Zealand

Bjoern has a strong background in commercial partnership, business events and the tourism sector. His career in destination marketing includes multiple roles at Tourism New Zealand, including General Manager Domestic, General Manager Americas and Europe, and currently General Manager New Zealand and Business Events.

Originally from Germany, Bjoern has worked across a multitude of international markets including the UK, Europe, North America, Brazil, and Argentina. In his current role as GM New Zealand and Business Events, Bjoern is responsible for Tourism New Zealand's industry partnerships, product marketing, International Business Events, and commercial entities including Tourism New Zealand's subsidiaries Qualmark and i-SITE.

Bjoern first discovered Aotearoa New Zealand as a backpacker. He is now is a proud resident of Titirangi in West Auckland, and in his free time enjoys exploring the West Coast Beaches, following his kids at football and orienteering events, and travelling around Aotearoa New Zealand and the world...sometimes still with a backpack on.

Brendan Chang - Senior Account Manager, Booking.com

Since joining Booking.com six years ago, Brendan has collaborated with accommodation partners nationwide, helping them attract domestic & international guests through data-driven insights and local market expertise. Passionate about leveraging technology to enhance travel experiences, Brendan believes in making it easier for everyone to explore the world.  


Hannah Ploeger - Business Manager, Wild Kiwi Tours

Originally from Germany, Hannah completed her Tourism Diploma in 2014 and spent eight years at FTI Touristik in Munich, specialising in outbound travel to Asia and Oceania.

Her passion for the region led her to relocate to New Zealand in 2019, where she joined ANZ Nature Tours as an Account Manager. She continued her tourism career with Haka Tours in Auckland before moving to Wild Kiwi Tours, where she now oversees operations as Business Manager.


Charlotte Brady - Sales Executive, Skyline Rotorua

Charlotte began her tourism career as a cashier at Skyline Rotorua after earning a Bachelor of Communication Studies from Waikato University. She moved into sales and marketing at ZORB Rotorua, eventually becoming Sales and Marketing Manager. After nine years, she returned to Skyline Rotorua as a Sales Executive, promoting its attractions to domestic and international markets. Charlotte has also contributed to tourism governance, serving as Chair of YoungTEC and a member of the TEC Board. She supports education through the BYATA Steering Group and is passionate about inspiring future tourism leaders through advocacy and sharing her industry experience.

Rebecca McLeod – Marketing Manager and Business Development, Haka House

Rebecca McLeod is a global tourism strategist, expedition leader, and currently Marketing & Bus. Development Manager at Haka House. Nicknamed the “Desert Queen” for her 12 years of adventure leadership in Oman, she combines branding savvy with a passion for experience design. Rebecca believes travel is the best classroom — and she’s made a career out of turning the extraordinary into everyday adventure.

Brett Duncan – Managing Director, Adventure Hostels

A civil engineering project manager by background, Brett arrived in Queenstown in 2010 in the aftermath of the Global Financial Crisis. Armed with a desire to change career and an extensive business plan, Brett opened the first Adventure Hostel in early 2011. 

Fast forward 14 years and with 4 hostels around South Island and another opening late October on the North Island, Adventure Hostels NZ is now the third largest hostel operator in NZ.

Brett has sat on the Board of BYATA since 2019 where he campaigned through the Covid years on promoting the plight of the hostel sector, which saw more than 50% of operators close.  Since borders reopened, Brett’s primary focus on behalf of BYATA has been to ensure that the importance of the Working Holiday Visa scheme is not lost or forgotten and that the arrival numbers of this cohort can return to pre-Covid levels.


Brian Westwood

Brian has been involved with tourism since 1997 in various RTO roles and running his own digital marketing business. Brian joined BYATA in 2013 as Marketing GM for YHA. Previous chair and now BYATA's President, Brian has been a long time advocate for youth tourism and brings strategic direction to the BYATA Board.