Chris is a senior tourism specialist with more than 30 years experience at the most senior level of industry. He is internationally recognised as a leader in tourism development and strategy, and is a regular speaker at high profile events, as well as providing insights and perspective to leading news media channels such as BBC World News Asia Business Report.

With a career that has spanned four continents including the UK, Europe, United States, Asia and the Pacific, Chris has developed an intimate knowledge of the global tourism industry and the requirements needed to identify, explore and capitalise on growth opportunities within a fast-paced environment

A past member of the APEC Tourism Working Group and Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) Consular Consultative Group, his expertise is regularly sought by Governments, Public-Sector Agencies, NGO’s and International Education groups and faculties. He has a network of senior executives in the airline, destination marketing and tourism governance fields.

chris.flynn@tourism-talent.com

Dave's career in tourism spans over 30 years having started in the UK as a travel Counsellor for the Canadian Tourist Office and then the Province of Ontario Tourism, before moving into commercial, sales, marketing, business development and general management roles with the Thomas Cook GSA, Leisurail followed by Great Southern Rail and Journey Beyond.
Having lived in Adelaide for the past 10 years, Dave has also been the ATEC (Australian Tourism Export Council) Chair for the South Australia branch, working alongside TICSA (Tourism Industry Council South Australia), and has an extensive network across Australia.
dave.atherton@tourism-talent.com

Anna works across NZ and Australia has held diverse sales and marketing roles within the tourism and hospitality sector for over 20 years, working in local government, regional tourism organisations, international hotel groups, luxury lodges, public relations offices, and the oil industry.

Anna led the Auckland Convention Bureau (ACB) for over 14 years, playing a key role in its establishment. She grew the ACB footprint with two Australian based business development managers and launched the Auckland Advocate Alliance program (New Zealand’s first business events ambassador program) and formed the Auckland International Business Events Advisory Group.

Anna has previously held the role of Chair of the New Zealand Convention Bureau and was the recipient of the BEIA NZ Outstanding Achievement Award 2018 for her services to the sector.

Anna is passionate about helping the business event and tourism sectors thrive and has a broad network of contacts in New Zealand, Australia, and internationally.
anna.hayward@tourism-talent.com

Originally from the US Kelly now proudly calls New Zealand home. Kelly has over 18 years experience in the hotel and hospitality industry including 4 years as Area Manager for Expedia NZ where she led strategic rebound initiatives post-Covid.
Kelly has a Master's of Science in Hotel and Restaurant Management and a background in food and beverage, hotels, and travel-tech, and brings boundless energy and a dedication to enhance both individuals and businesses.
kelly.dodd@tourism-talent.com

Jason has an extensive network in tourism having held a variety of senior roles within the New Zealand industry over 25 years and is also Managing Director of Meneth Consulting. Until late 2017 he was Head of Tourism at Auckland Tourism, Event and Economic Development (ATEED) for six years, responsible for the international and domestic marketing of Auckland, as well as new product development and destination management.

Prior to that Jason was based in Tokyo as Regional Manager for Tourism New Zealand for over five years implementing the 100% PURE NEW ZEALAND marketing campaign in the Japanese and Korean markets. Other roles have included General Manager Marketing at Christchurch and Canterbury Tourism, and Marketing Manager at BTM Marketing and Translations.

He is currently on the board of Tourism Bay of Plenty, deputy Chair AUT School of Tourism and Hospitality industry advisory board. Previous governance roles include Chairman of the Association of National Tourism Organisations in Japan (ANTOR), Cruise New Zealand board, I-Site NZ board, and Pacific Asia Travel Association board (PATA), and director Te Haerenga, Ngai Tai ki tamaki iwi. He was also the catalyst in establishing the PATA Global Insights Conference in Auckland that ran for 3 years and setting up the PATA student chapter at AUT.

jason.hill@tourism-talent.com

Dylan is co-founder of Tourism Talent and has been passionate about helping young New Zealanders understand the opportunities that tourism careers can bring for a long time. He was a founding board member of YoungTEC NZ and the organisation’s chair for two years.

When leaving high school Dylan’s career options were limited due to his lack of interest in the traditional school curriculum. He managed to find his way into tourism as a kitchen hand and in awakening his practical side, has had a highly successful 25 years in the industry he loves. Dylan went on to gain a Bachelor of Tourism from the University of Otago and worked his way up through the hospitality sector into senior management roles. An opportunity saw him live in Auckland for 8 years, where he undertook executive roles with SKYCITY Entertainment Group and then Heritage Hotel Management.

Dylan relocated with his family to Central Otago in 2018, where he is currently the General Manager of the regional tourism organisation, COVID-19 Recovery Manager for the District Council and also holds board roles with Regional Tourism New Zealand and Dunedin Venues Management Limited. Dylan is a regular mentor to the YoungTEC professional development program and an advisor to MBIE’s Quarantine Free Travel Labour Force focus group.

Nuwanthie is the CEO of ICE, an early in careers people consultancy firm specialising in designing, delivering and developing schemes for organisations looking to build talent pipelines for the future. ICE utilise analytics, experience and industry insights in conjunction with the support of technology to challenge and drive new thinking. This revitalised thought process enables us to help organisations entirely reimagine their approach towards organisational early talent acquisition, management and development.

She believes that young and aspiring individuals represent the future of the organisational environment and will be responsible for driving the seismic shift in both workplace culture and functionality that we will begin to witness emerge over the coming years. Due to this phenomenon, it is critical that organisations look forward towards future thinking that both aligns and proofs their strategic talent schemes.

Anna has held diverse sales and marketing roles within the tourism and hospitality sector for over 20 years, working in local government, regional tourism organisations, international hotel groups, luxury lodges, public relations offices, and the oil industry.

Anna led the Auckland Convention Bureau (ACB) for over 14 years, playing a key role in its establishment. She grew the ACB footprint with two Australian based business development managers and launched the Auckland Advocate Alliance program (New Zealand’s first business events ambassador program) and formed the Auckland International Business Events Advisory Group.

Anna has previously held the role of Chair of the New Zealand Convention Bureau and was the recipient of the BEIA NZ Outstanding Achievement Award 2018 for her services to the sector.

Anna is passionate about helping the business event and tourism sectors thrive and has a broad network of contacts in New Zealand and internationally.

anna.hayward@tourism-talent.com

Originally from the US Kelly now proudly calls New Zealand home. Kelly has over 18 years experience in the hotel and hospitality industry including 4 years as Area Manager for Expedia NZ where she led strategic rebound initiatives post-Covid.
Kelly has a Master's of Science in Hotel and Restaurant Management and a background in food and beverage, hotels, and travel-tech, and brings boundless energy and a dedication to enhance both individuals and businesses.
kelly.dodd@tourism-talent.com

Natalie recently joined the Tourism Talent NZ team, though you may notice her surname is familiar and she has been an ‘informal’ part of the team since day one.

While recently she has been an at home mum to two young boys, Natalie like many tourism people has been keen to get back in and use her skills from previous roles in recruitment, sales, administration and event management, and is the perfect compliment to the team.

Often the first point of contact for candidates, Natalie quickly puts people unfamiliar with our processes at ease with her relaxed professional manner.

info@tourismtalent.co.nz