OQTA MEETING HELD AT TOURISM & EVENTS QUEENSLAND BRISBANE WEDNESDAY 7TH JUNE 2017 Present Stuart McKenzie, Robyn Stephens, Natalie Flecker, Belinda Murphy, Andrew Martin, Michelle Hespe, Julie Woodhouse, Steve Rattray, Carmel Meurant attended at 9.07am Teleconference: Nil Peter Homan GM, Matt Bronn, Bruce Wallace Meeting commenced 8.35am Welcome by Chairman Stuart McKenzie Apologies: Steve Jones, Elaine Jacobi, Tania Kernaghan Declaration of interests: Nil OQTA board members to supply information of their representation on any other Boards Use of common seal: Nil Ratification of Previous Minutes Moved by Andrew Martin Second by Michelle Hespe that the minutes are a true and correct record Matters arising from previous Minutes – Action Items: • Aged Debtors – Assigned to Elaine Jacobe to follow-up • Board Member Kit – to remain on action list as necessary polices to be acted on • New Gateway Strategy – to remain on the action list until strategy changes are completed • OQTA Future Funding model to remain on the action list Financial Report Treasurers Report as prepared by Elaine Jacobi • $48,000 in Bank • $368,000 owing in debtors. • Over budget in marketing and overspent $100,000. $40,000 extra went into brochures for trade, Television & Radio $50k • Co-op advertising $80k budgeted and nothing coming in. To date spent $70k for no return • Network grant funding TEQ to OQTA - associate $485k to OQTA and spend $80k with incentive funding on top. This year is an option to spend networking funding on co-op marketing • TDDI funding has gone into media brochures & distribution • New guidelines to be set in place with Accountants and GM to look at coding of accounts •

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UM are the (media planners) and DTB have been used for co-op marketing to our members and haven’t produced any benefit from the marketing for the members. OQTA will take control as we do not know what we are selling until UM (media planners) give us a plan. $. Our members need value for their marketing and more ideas of the months when marketing coming available. A prospectus will be available as far forward as possible to enable us to go to LGA’s with a brochure instead of FB and social media marketing. TEQ has funding of 2/3, OQTA 1/3 and TEQ buys the space. Bruce Wallace TEQ marketing advised there is $2m on the table for 13 RTO’s. VINK Publishing to be contracted to take the lead for co-op marketing as they already have a good relationship with many of the OQTA members.

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Motion: The Treasurers Report be moved on the process of not receiving the financials in a timely manner which shows discrepancies in the budget due to the late time factor of receiving the financials

Moved: Belinda Murphy Seconded by Natalie Flecker that the Treasurers Report be accepted CARRIED GM Manager Report • • • •

Presently there is a $225k marketing campaign in market finishing June 30th. The campaign has focused on Drive Routes and events primarily with the Townsville Eye, the Cairns Eye, the Gold Coast Bulleting, the Road Ahead and social media. Events have also been promoted on Imparja What’s up Down Under will be doing 3 shows on the Outback including Vision Splendid and Big Red Bash. Pat Callinan also doing shows on the Outback. Attended Flight Centre expos in Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne Attended Caravan & Camping shows in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and 4x4 in Brisbane

Guest Speakers in attendance; 9.47am Bruce Wallace – TEQ Marketing Update •

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Presented two newspaper inserts to the Board. “Your Place” was an insert targeting the Queensland intrastate market placed in the Sunday Mail and “Unexpected Queensland” was inserted in to the Fairfax publications in Sydney and Melbourne. Both inserts had a reach of over 700,000 consumers. Outback had features in both these publications TEQ has five Marketing Pillars – Islands, Beach and Reef; Natural Encounters; Adventure and Discovery; Queensland lifestyle and Culture: Events. These pillars help align our marketing priorities in line with the TEQ Marketing Strategy. The 2017/18 RTO Incentive Marketing program has been released to the Queensland RTOs. There is a TEQ budget of $1,000,000 for this program. RTO’s can participate in a number of streams within this program including, video production, Drive Market, Intrastate, interstate, Lead generation and collaboration with other RTOs. RTO’s are working on a collaboration program - one example Townsville working with 6 x RTO’s drive on the Great Barrier Reef – eg; $70k RTO money from TEQ Focusing on the Commonwealth Games being held at the Qld. Gold Coast and may see our visitors coming out to spend a lot more time in Qld. to explore DMR rolling out the new tourism signage until 2021 on the tourism routes.

10.15am Matt Bron: TEQ Director Outback & Country Queensland - Paleo & Education – Matt introduced his new team members – Liana Jones & Amy Merriweather • • • • • • •

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Matt advised the vast outback Qld. area is not TEQ marketing boundaries and is only to engage with people in the regions. Purely administration with no extra team members still (3) staff. New strategy Starts Monday 12th June March/April report – events and drive markets shows what our consumers are up too. Matt and his team are working with 2 RTO’s – Outback and Southern Qld. Country Drive is a big part of the project with massive opportunities. Two other big projects, Dinosaurs and National Parks. Southern Qld. Country has 4m people in the region, 22 national parks and only 2 parks that are talked about. The Outback is tracking well with; Self Drive/Education program and Events. The Education program is just about to sign off to 100 schools in the outback. TEQ adding more money into the education program which will be very beneficial for the Outback. TEQ looking to roll out September a new direction honing in the best of best of the state by judging consumers and looking to work with operators who want to be improve their business by introducing a rating and scoring process. Consumer forums feedback advice that there is a need for improvement for businesses to produce as some has problems in servicing visitors. Approximately there are 150 different rating sites delivering an average score.

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LGA areas - councils to invite businesses to be part of the process and where the shire sits with the scoring which shows businesses where they stand for scoring eg: accommodation and by being a member of your RTO gives each business a better score.

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Paleo – Matt has been on the road for 3 weeks with Canadian based Dino consultant Aaron Nissan presenting experience developments workshops in Mt Isa Richmond, Barcaldine, Winton and Eromanga. Phase 1 of the Dino strategy was written 12-18 months ago. Events, Dinosaurs and drive routes are a good reason for people to visit the region. Richmond has a unique gravel pit full of fossils, Winton is building an enormous museum with great architecture and trackways, and Eromanga has hands on experience with bones and touch points as well as mega fauna that Richmond and Winton don’t have. Muttaburra and Boulia are smaller experiences but all show great interest for our visitors.

10.30am Sally Holyer – International Director TEQ New Zealand Sally provided some background of NZ Marketing • • • • • • • • • • • • •

NZ marketing going really well even though it is cheaper to fly to London (under $1k) than it is to fly to the Outback. Figures 12% up into Qld. which is gaining the market share and a huge opportunity for Kiwi’s 50+ audience market is down and terrorism may stop travellers which is a concern for all Research in 2016 saw lots of focus groups and why they are travelling. It’s all about the Qld. experiences and the new tourism brand and approach is working very well. Market is cut throat and pricing doesn’t count at all. The House of Travel is the best operator and market for NZ offering more destinations and very supportive Under 35’s travelling again more information needs to be had with the 55+ audience Huge opportunities for the Outback product and agents really want to visit the outback Big Sky Country Drive great potential for NZ visitors. Starting to pick up and a joint effort with Southern Queensland Country. NZ visitors to be introduced to our Outback Mates and the purchase of the card when in the Outback region Economy doing very well NZ and tourism has passed dairy which is now considered No.2 NZ Election this year Events are a big hook for NZ THL NZ has set up a new approach for air B&B motorhomes with Britz/ Mauri campervans. Setting up an air B & B to rent out privately owned motorhomes for visitors to rent out. THL looks after the renting process and return of the motorhomes to the owners. THL sell the motorhomes and knows who their customers are. The ongoing problem in the outback – need assets that can be driven on dirt roads as this is a problem when hiring vehicles.

11.00am left meeting 11.05am - Jeff McAlister Deputy Director General Tourism – DTESB – Dept. of Tourism, Small Events and Commonwealth Games & Small Business: Update: • • • • • • •

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Small business works offering grants programs for less than 20 employees Commonwealth Games April 2018 will not be a focus for the outback but could be a perfect time to holiday in the outback following the games Jeff advised he was appointed to this position late 2016 and previously in Northern Territory tourism and fully understands the vast distances living in New Zealand. One around experiences – Katherine George – Porcupine George – accommodation redevelop Kings Cannon – access to keep people in the territory fly - milk run to other towns – gov. support NZ & Outback Qld. some of the challenges to be faced – bouquet experience what is it in o/b offers the experience – fishing and hunting special experience pay top dollar to experience Pioneering experience in the o/b – where are your roots – Outback Qld. introduce new markets eg; Chinese not so much the volume but through the grass roots of the previous Chinese families working in gold mining and farming

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Massive markets outbound travel may not a volume player for the Outback but good for repeat visitation

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TTDI Driver Demand Tourism program offering software type projects; digital activities and infrastructure projects. $7m in funding projects over 2016 included WIFI into 5 towns in the Outback, Australian Age of Dinosaurs in Winton, Cloncurry, and signage for Maranoa.

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Aviation is a big focus offering strategic opportunities in the state. Support for Tiger Air flights Melbourne to Townsville assisting with domestic growth. As the Regional flights travel is so expensive there is a need for lower fares as values need to target the right market. Regional travellers pay a lot more and Government needs to take a look as they are aware of the high costs

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Drive tourism – State Government supports $10m Western Queensland, $6m already approved $2.25 allocated to bitumen the road for the Australian Age of Dinosaurs in Winton. The Outback Way keen to become part of strategic touring route Regional Transport planes – transport infrastructure being funding in the plan to drive the funding but the 7th June didn’t happen

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Real projects – camping options toolkit to be relaunch, design guidelines for caravan parks, and rental car hire for Chinese visitors. Needs orientation talks and to have driven Queensland prior to travelling by introducing Chinese video driver safely videos. OQTA to access funding for this process to happen and speak with the ‘Stay On Track’ outback police who do a wonderful job in positive policing talking about safety on the road.

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Workforce – there is a requirement for another 25,000 additional jobs in the industry. There is a need for a career for young tourism leaders in Year 10 and what they have done in tourism. Training these young people in a diverse tourism career is seen as beneficial as the challenge for the outback is losing people and a positive for business to retain workers Concerned Visa changes. Government has been speaking of the 4-5-7 visa impact on attracting workers to Outback Queensland and small business. People struggle to attract workers and attracting good quality workers to the outback eg: chef’s etc. We need backpackers with good skills and making them aware of opportunities under the North Australian Paper, where people can stay in country for 2 years. Government is making changes and taking a wider approach

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Education Investment in the Outback – explore interstaters and kids getting their families to come Outback

Action Item - Add Workshops on small business for the 2017 Outback Qld. Tourism awards to be held in Cloncurry and an official invitation to be given to Jeff McAlister DDG of Tourism Left meeting at 11.40am

11.50am Daniel Gschwind CEO QTIC • QTIC has moved to the new building in South Bank sharing with Earth Check • QTIC is currently providing workforce development and tourism infrastructure. $50m tourism business in the state which has 3,000 members, and a massive number of business who do not have anything to do with tourism, HR Management, IT skill base • QTIC see LGA’s having a problem as they do not have the skills of running the tourism business as they need people coming to our town’s and spending money. • QTIC work with the State Government vocational training programs, with $800m a year spent by State Government on training. • Funding support for all other industries and focus of specific areas by tapping into a program Skilling Qld. for work. General idea is to have potential and access to support for training facilitated by QTIC with training provided by QTIC with administrate dollars • TEQ does all the marketing and QTIC does not get involved in marketing role • Tourism Minister Kate Jones instigated tourism plan develop workforce plan to Jobs Qld released in July. 4

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Specific action plans to come out of this plan with Qld. Schools very interested in a mentoring program and also a ‘Salute to Excellent’ program. Invitations are extended to Brisbane’s best students where students can nominate for scholarships

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Industry Development - TTDI Tourism Driver Demand program. Federal Gov. funding basically private infrastructure $ for $ with State Gov. to handle – ½ of $2m made available for soft skill for industry and to go out to RTOs for digital workshops in outback Qld. and it is important workshops need the market to make it work

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QTIC Business Accreditation program – make sense from a small business point and trying more momentum taking over the star rating system from car clubs. 900 properties in Qld. star rated with QTIC to organise and integrate into a more compensate system.

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QTIC runs the Qld. Tourism awards - winner receives $30k worth of business mentoring

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Indigenous Employer Champions Network – indigenous business development is the core business and has now grown to 35. The program assists in getting indigenous in a main stream job and more information of tourism needs for employment for the indigenous. There would be lots of opportunities for Indigenous to start their own businesses. Aim for 600 indigenous in jobs over 8 years and 1000 by 2020 and mentoring indigenous in the outback a big need and to capture their stories

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Save the Date - Indigenous forum Friday November 10th and Destination Q Thursday 9th Brisbane Convention Centre – Qld. Tourism Awards Saturday 11th November.

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Policies: There is a need to get into the Qld. Government’s ear and request to the Tourism & Games committee a hold a forum of cabinet meetings twice a year to enable issues to be raised eg: funding National Parks, and invest more heavily into natural attractions. Presently, there is a need for the immediate recovery in the Whitsundays and the Reef. The Reef has been trashed due to Cyclone Debbie and lots of infrastructure to be put back into place including the sandy shores due to the cyclone’s 6mtr. Waves. The Qld. Government Cabinet Committee to assist with more dollars to bring back the infrastructure to the Whitsundays. This is not seen as designated tourism funding and a decision the Qld. Tourism Minister cannot make as she has no control over roads, infrastructure etc.

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Northern Australia Opportunities; Not enough creative things happening but need to do more of what we are doing.

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Tourism & Transport Plan: Biggest issue is air travel and a unified plan needs to put in place to address air-travel in Outback Qld. Qantaslink flies Blackall/Barcaldine each week and there is a need to look into more regular and subsidized routes for liveability to attract people to come and live in the region. A mobility action plan for freight is another issue; as well, rental vehicles are a problem and incur large costs. Belinda Murphy advised that the North West Rock Committee moved a coordinated approach for a subsided program for Regional Queensland. Nine LGA’s to attend the Bush Councils Conference in August being held in Charters Towers to speak regarding the air travel issue. Cr. Neil Fisher Rockhampton has prepared a Business Case to commence air travel to the Central West from Rockhampton to Winton and towns in between to assist with workers to the Adani mine and for medical reasons etc.

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Rail – QR have removed the dining cars from the Inlander and Westlander trains and the general consensus is to scrap rail for air-travel. Community usage has been very low on rail travel since downgrading of the train.

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The GM stated transport is big problem for the Outback and National Parks needs more signage. Connectivity is very important and using WIFI and FB were we can all share information on where our visitors are coming into the outback, and where they have come from. LGA’s need to budget for extras dump areas, toilets, health services and this is an argument we can use. More information needed to put a case forward.

Left meeting at 12.55pm Meeting adjourned for Lunch 1pm Meting Commenced at 1.20pm

GM Report Continued; •

ATE – strong response to the Outback product. This year, the response was improved from previous year and the first for attending the Media Program which received wonderful response.

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Queensland On Stage – 2 x NZ travel agents and a media in the SW at the moment will attend at Tangalooma Island Monday 5th June pitching Big Sky Country Drives to 60 agents

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Outback Mates – now have 270 deals, 2,100 Mates members, New Outback Mates magazine printed and being distributed widely to Visitor Information Centres. Mini Mates magazine in print and a new web site set up

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Roadshows Update – Digital roadshows completed at Roma, Longreach & Cloncurry Event Bootcamps completed at Julia Creek, Barcaldine, Charleville & Biloela ATEC roadshows completed at Mt. Isa, Longreach and Roma TEQ – incentive fund for 2017/18 has been reduced to $35,000 and there are issues associated with last year’s delivery. New Directors areas have been set by TEQ.

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Book Easy – working with Visit Queensland to have Bookeasy available for all Outback VIC’s and installed on the OQTA web site giving direct booking capability. This will enable visitors to book on for their next town visit.

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Balonne Shire – GM presented to their Council in response to a request from their Mayor and CEO. Balonne Shire is part of Southern Queensland Country region

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Insentia – A package with Insentia has been taken and be shared with all LGA members. Their media portal is sophisticated media software that delivers news as it happens across ALL our relevant media, including broadcast, online and print, and providing comprehensive media analytics and reporting tools, and connecting with journalists and influencers. Social media monitoring completes media picture, ensuring failure to miss the fastest moving news source.

Budget: • OQTA budget to be set for 2017/2018 with a few items/changes to take place. Board needs to adopt the budget before the 30th June

Trade Program: • • • •

Discussions have taken place with Parker Travel as their contract runs out June 30th Trade into the future: a commitment from board for trade to move forward as presently selected. Long term process and to date costing $69,000 for Parker Travel for 2017-2018 financial year. The ongoing costs; Brochures, Flight Centre Expos, nil cost is mentoring, and if all our members do resign we will have a shortfall. Discussion noted; Charleville and Eromanga struggling with the dollars and if the Board wants to continue down the trade route, we may need to minimize costs along the way otherwise everyone can walk away from the program. Natalie Flecker noted if we don’t go with it we could go backwards as for attending ATE the Mt Isa Rodeo sees this as a long term investment.

Staffing Structure: • The two full time staff doing a terrific job. • Hanna Statham to be employed to perform the marketing duties. Hanna has an excellent direction in marketing, blog writing, and UTube 6

Board Kit and Policies and Procedures: • Relevant changes to be made to the policy as follows:• Sub Regions Maranoa to be listed • Treasurer to supply a Report and to be received 7days prior to each Management Committee meeting OQTA Strategic plan 2017: • To be amended and emailed back to board members for ratification. • Noted the tenure on the Board for Skill Reps to be set as 2 year tenure and to be ratified at 2017 AGM. • Boulia should be amended to Far West sub region • Adopt final draft at next meeting noting changes for the AGM Host Town Policy & Update : • Criteria has been put in place with a unified selection process • The question asked - Do we want to go region to region. • The process must be very clear and able to give feedback as staff put a lot of effort in the submissions. The Awards are all about showcasing the entire Outback but there have been limitations around where and how we hold the awards. • Suggested the North, South, Central regions offering first to local shire council’s for 2018 awards. Allow 2-3 months for Council’s to come back with a resolution to OQTA, and if Council can’t meet the expectations or do not want the awards, then we go to the next region so every council has the opportunity to shine. • Suggested for 2018 that we allocate the tourism awards to each of the 3 regions on an annual rotation basis and the host town to be decided by the REDO. GM to approach the REDO’s to outline the requirements for the awards and deliver the criteria. Approach to be made to the REDO regions of SWRED, RAPAD & MITAS. If REDO’s not in agreeance to make the decision it will be up to the Board will make the final decision. Action item – approach REDO’s of their approval to this decision. Moved Belinda & Steve Rattray - 8 for and 1 against Natalie Flecker against motion Families of Australia: • A Video of children for the Virgin flights chose 21 different regions & 21 families for Australia • Mt Isa children chosen for the outback film with 4 different famils each year linked to Bound Round. • Discoveries.com.au – innovation catalogue 350,000 printed copies with 2m subscribers reached Outback Mates Magazine: • • • • •

Outback Mates Magazine released with 5,000 copies printed. To be added an outback mates card FREE with each Outback Mates membership. Magazine total cost of the 5,000 produced $25k. $2k short of costs for the first run, with each magazine costing $5 to produce. Sell for $7.95 to the VIC’s and $5 to OQTA members and will be a revenue stream for OQTA Looking at placing a Map to go into the magazine. TEQ embraces the Outback Mates concept and an excellent item for the show bags at the EKKA. UQ students are putting together a wall chat with all the Dino attractions in the outback as well as a Dinosaur wooden kit to put into 20,000 bags to sell at the EKKA. Next Outback Mates magazine out in October

OQTA Meetings with LGA’s: • The Bush Council meeting held every two years with the next meeting to be held in Charters Towers. A request to be made to all CEO’s and Mayors to attend the meeting with OQTA & QTIC to present a panel section for opportunities with LGAQ opportunities. A request to be made for OQTA & QTIC to present a panel section and request if we could piggyback off the LGAQ State Conference.

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2.50pm Presentation of new GEO App By Ken Mole Global GBM & Kevin Liepins •

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The Company focuses on Collaborative Tourism Infrastructure for geo-tourism and Regional Tourism Geological society. Ken advised he has built a down town Brisbane app and his company is a software developer working with the digital world and globalisation and building a national data base. The Company has been in Brisbane since 1992 Presently has 500 customers across the globe incl. Santos, Optus, NT Gov. and Biosecurity Qld As you walk around the app will track movement on the map. Visitors can down load before they go on their trip or reach their destination as well as adding points of interest along the way and before arriving at the venue or destination will have the information before them. Community collaboration; the geo app has the ability to provide visual content by allowing access into the geology of all regions with a national data base with one app across shire boundaries Commercial opportunities need to come on board for the geo app to be sustainable and will need community involvement and to be funded externally. Consultations have been had with National Parks and wildlife’s rangers for their feedback. The Geo App to be used for stories, films and visible types eg: arts and culture, food and beverage, history trail vegetation, geological outcrop etc. as the app has real content that can be trusted. Could also fit into the curriculum for education tours by advertising in coaches. Global GBM would like to promote the app state wide but needs to be funded and would like to work with TEQ

Departed 3.25pm Host Town Update – GM meeting with Cloncurry re: 2017 Outback Qld. tourism Awards. OQTA to peruse a naming rights sponsor Drive Routes – Matilda Way committee meeting in Blackall Wednesday 21st June. Memberships New members: Mates Members - Blackall Aquatic Centre, Blackall Hardware & Furniture, Blackall Local Post Office, Boulder Opal Motel, CCD Longreach, Curry Across the Street, Toyworld Emerald, Heilbronn’s, Longreach Tavern, Winton Matilda Tourist Park, Matilda’s Wardrobe Winton, Odd Spot, Schluters Bakery, Tattersalls hotel, Thai Noi Biloela, Theodore Hotel, Thurecht Saddlery, Barkers Newsagency, BI-RITE, Birdcage Hotel, Blue Gum Café , Central Highlands Toyota, Charlottes Nest, Corella Country Farm Stay, Cottage Flowers & Gardens, Cunnamulla newsagency, EW Wilkinson, Geo Douglas & Sons, Irvines, Judy Browse In, Longreach Engineering, Longreach Tourist Park, Sew Me, Shoe B Doo, Studio Exclusive Hair & Beauty, TBone Longreach, Theofore Home & Garden Café North West Tours (Silver), Shandonvale Station (Silver), Roma Tourism Association (Supporter), Correspondence: Inward – Inland Hunting Properties – Andrew Martin declared his interest. The company sends licensed and insured hunters all around Australia to private properties. There is a need for OQTA to be really careful of this sport as it could become a negative for visitors coming into the region. Only takes one FB post showing injured animals and could do so much damage to our tourism in the region. OQTA does not need to be associated with this industry. Outward – letter to TEQ CEQ Leanne Coddington regarding matching core funding and tourism network funding for the Outback Region for year 2017/18. General Business: Member Updates Nat Flecker: North West Representative • 64 days until the Rodeo • Visitors numbers up and plenty of caravans in and around Mt. Isa 8

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A successful meet & great conducted by the local tourism association with 30 operators attending and speaking about their businesses Attended the ATE with GM with good interest in the Rodeo from India Jessica Mauboy will be the headline act at the Rodeo’s free street festival

Andrew Martin: RAPAD • Lots going on in Blackall with the heritage wool scour. The committee received $800k funding for renovations and local council overseeing the spending of the funding grant. • Saleyard overhead walkway viewing platforms for visitors to view livestock sales still in progress along with further improvements to the saleyards as livestock numbers continue through Blackall saleyards • Free RV Park working well with caravanners paying $20 p/night. $16k through park in 2016 and 4,500 through the other park. Visitors stay in Blackall short. Michelle Hespe – Bound Round - Skills Representative • Penthouse Mag almost launched • Website being relaunched • Deni Ute Muster 1.2 million views • 6 clients working on a daily basis Julie Woodhouse- Far West Representative • Road between Boulia & Bedourie finally sealed • Outback Highway Committee to hold their 20th AGM in Boulia with approx. 40 people attending • Cavananners coming through the region and Council has placed new signage along the highway • Big Red Bash to date has sold 5,000 tickets with numbers being down compared to 2016 • Funding from the Work for Qld. used to revamp the public park and other Community assets. • Baby boom in Boulia this year with 12 babies being born Steve Rattray: Imparja TV – Skills Representative • Movement around the network - Ch 10 to go leg up and in financial crisis • Imparja has a big building with ½ staff – Conference next week with Qld. Police regarding the gun program in rural crime and rural safety. Police Stock Squad has a major problem with stealing of cattle and the use of drones. Conference to be held with rural crime squads in Rockhampton. Stuart McKenzie: South West Red • Q100 Centenary held in April and one of the biggest crowds seen in Quilpie - Very successful • Visitor numbers down in May • Quilpie Race Club opened new complex • Charleville just opened their new airport • Quilpie building new refuelling facility at the airport and working with air-charter companies • Lake outside Quilpie on private land has been split up and bought by a young couple. Will be setting up as an accommodation complex and will be a bonus for Quilpie. Carmel Meurant – South West Representative • Tourism numbers up in the region • Music in the Mulga was excellent with 1,200 people attending • Rain caused shortages of visitors due to road conditions and bad publicity from businesses regarding accessibility to the event. • Businesses from other shires welcomed the visitors attending the ‘Music in the Mulga’ Robyn Stephens: Central West Representative • Visitor numbers for Winton strong with approx.200 visitors p/day passing through the VIC • The 3 caravan parks are enjoying the extra visitation • Waltzing Matilda Centre building is progressing very well and builders are on track. • The Ch. 9 ‘To Day’ Show will be broadcasting live from Winton Tuesday 27th June – Excellent 4 hours of coverage for Winton to 300,000 people p/hour and 1.3m overall • Owners of Windermere Station 11km from Winton have expressed interest in operating a Station home stay for caravan & camping. 9

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Events June/July events in Winton – Outback Writers Festival – 20th-22nd 3 days - Vision Splendid Film Festival – 9 days 23rd June – 1st July celebrating Women in Film - 60 Film students visiting from Universities plus China & India Winton Opal Festival 7th & 8th July Camel Races 22nd July Winton to host the QRL ‘Intrust Super Cup’ with the Ipswich Jets & Townsville Black Hawkes 22nd July. Outback Festival – 19-23 Sept. – strong on-line bookings for accommodation and events. Interesting stats showing 72% are new visitors and 39% return visitors. Recent FB focus on Century Challenge cycle event extremely active with 15,652 people reached. Over 150 horsemen associated with the Qld. Light Horse Regiment and the 100 years of the ‘Charge of Beersheba’ will perform in Barcaldine, Ilfracombe, Longreach and Winton for 3 days of the festival. AAOD – further funding of $2.25m received from State Government towards the completion of the Dino Road – Round 1 of the funding totals almost $6m – The Dino Dig is presently taking place. Visitor numbers May up 11% on 2016 and YTD up 20% on 2016

Belinda Murphy- MITEZ Representative • Dirt and Dust Festival went well but numbers were down • Mark Olsen from Earth Check appointed by council to perform a new Tourism Strategy • Federal announcement $3.5m for the Julia Creek RV site • Federal funding in budget for airport upgrade • Movement in town with new business of a coffee/bakery shop and fashion business • Events - McKinlay Races Saturday 22nd July – QRL Rugby League InTrust Cup Sunday 23rd July will be a great weekend for region focusing on fashions & footie weekend • Saxby rodeo coming up in weeks • Tourists’ dinners up with 100 tourists in the RV caravan park on Monday • Artesian Spar starting soon from funding received through the ‘Work for Qld.’ funding and upgrade to the bush camp fire area. • Richmond field day being held 10th & 11th June • Porcupine Challenge coming up in Hughenden Sunday 18th June • Campdraft - glamping tents on the Flinders river - new event and may be an option 3d filming of the cattle • $400k going into park restructure Meetings for the year Dates for Meetings: July – Teleconference Monday 3rd July 9am Meeting Closed – 5.00pm President: Stuart McKenzie

Secretary: Robyn Stephens

Signed:

Signed:

ACTION ITEMS SUMMARY TITLE ACTION Aged Debtors

Small Business Workshops Strategic Plan 10

Outstanding Aged Debtors follow-up To be scheduled for inclusion at the 2017 OQTA Tourism Awards. Official invitation to DDG of Tourism Geoff McAlister To adopt the Strategic plan at next board meeting

BY WHOM Elaine

GM/Board GM/All Board

Board Member Kit

Double check that the Board Membership papers are up to date documents Host Town selection and decision to be offered to REDO’s - MITAS, SW RED, & RAPAD

GM

New ‘GATE WAY’ Strategy

Review of the Gate Way Strategy for Councils and Industry Members

GM/Board

OQTA awards

New criteria to be formulated for Outback Awards Look at ways OQTA could be less reliant to receive funding from TEQ & LGA’s

All Board

On-line Video

Social Media Video to Be produced for the GM to ‘Go Live’ to LGA’s broadcasting OQTA’S Achievements

GM

Core Funding

Letter to TEQ requesting additional core funding for Banana and Maranoa Councils

Chair/GM

OQTA Tourism Awards

OQTA Future Funding Model

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GM

GM