Reflecting on the 2026 VTIC Vision Summit: Wyndham Harbour at the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre

Yesterday, Wyndham Harbour had the pleasure of attending the VTIC Vision Summit 2026 hosted by the Victoria Tourism Industry Council (VTIC) at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre.

The day brought together leaders from across Victoria’s visitor economy, and it was an extremely valuable experience filled with depth, perspective and genuine industry collaboration. Each presentation sparked thoughtful discussion and fresh ideas — not only for tourism broadly, but for how destinations like Wyndham Harbour can continue evolving alongside our communities.

Lorie Argus — Infrastructure Shaping Tourism’s Future

The day began with Lorie Argus, CEO of Melbourne Airport, who spoke about the redevelopment and long-term strategic vision for Victoria’s primary gateway.

Her presentation highlighted how infrastructure investment and airline attraction will redefine Melbourne’s tourism experience over the coming decade. The announcement that Delta has joined Melbourne Airport’s airline network stood out as an exciting milestone — a clear indicator of growing international demand and confidence in Australia as a destination.

Hearing Lorie’s career journey, from customer support beginnings to leading one of Australia’s most significant transport hubs, was equally inspiring. It reinforced how people-focused leadership continues to drive meaningful change within our industry.

Matt Jones — Purpose, Branding and Community

Next, Matt Jones, co-founder of Four Pillars Gin and Summit MC, shared insights on purpose-led branding and decision-making.

I found the Four Pillars origin story particularly compelling. The company’s commitment to authenticity, community and personality within its marketing felt highly relevant as we consider the evolving identity of Wyndham Harbour — especially around the future of the 3030 bar and marina experience.

Matt spoke about allowing genuine values to lead branding decisions rather than following trends. That idea resonated strongly: when a brand reflects real people, place and community, audiences connect naturally. It was a powerful reminder that successful marketing begins with clarity of purpose.

Rob Dougan — Victoria Through a Global Lens

Robert Dougan from Tourism Australia shifted the conversation to international tourism and Australia’s global positioning.

Robert highlighted how Victoria’s diversity, major events and cultural experiences continue to attract visitors from across the world, including rapidly growing markets such as India. His discussion of Tourism Australia’s campaigns — showcasing open roads, wildlife and world-class food and wine — demonstrated how storytelling shapes international perception.

It reinforced how events, sport, arts and culture remain central to Melbourne’s tourism appeal, while also reminding regional destinations like Wyndham Harbour of the opportunity to connect global interest with local experiences.

Katrina Sedgwick — Culture, Community and Connection

One of the most thought-provoking sessions for me personally came from Katrina Sedgwick of the Melbourne Arts Precinct.

Katrina spoke about Melbourne’s rich and diverse cultural identity and how decades of investment in arts infrastructure have strengthened both community pride and economic growth. Her message centred on bringing people together — creating spaces where individuals from different backgrounds and cultures can connect through shared experiences.

This deeply resonated when reflecting on Wyndham Harbour and the role the marina plays within the Werribee South community. Wyndham Harbour offers more than a destination — it provides opportunities for people to come together through shared waterfront experiences, whether that’s boating, sailing, enjoying the marina lifestyle or gathering over a great meal by the water. Our unique coastal setting allows us to create meaningful connections, welcoming Victorians to experience the harbour as a place of recreation and community.

Her perspective encouraged me to think more about engaging our existing communities across Victoria — inviting locals to experience the marina, the waterfront and the sense of place we are building together.

Quentin Long — Innovation and the Role of AI in Tourism

Later in the program, Quentin Long delivered one of the most entertaining and engaging presentations of the day.

With humour and personality, Quentin walked us through the development of an AI-driven travel tool created alongside international tech collaborators. Beyond the laughs, his session demonstrated how innovation and curiosity are essential as AI continues reshaping how travellers research, plan and experience destinations.

It was fascinating to see how forward-thinking experimentation can place organisations ahead of the curve — a valuable reminder for all tourism operators navigating rapid technological change.

Final Reflections

The VTIC Vision Summit reinforced just how interconnected Victoria’s tourism industry truly is. Across the day, conversations moved seamlessly between infrastructure, culture, technology, branding and community, each demonstrating that successful destinations are built through collaboration rather than isolation. Attending as Wyndham Harbour, I left feeling genuinely inspired to bring these ideas into my own work — particularly the importance of engaging local communities, embracing authenticity in storytelling and remaining open to innovation as our industry evolves. Wyndham Harbour is uniquely positioned to welcome both visitors and Victorians alike, and the insights shared throughout the summit have strengthened my enthusiasm for continuing to grow the marina as a place of connection, experience and community.

A big thank you to the Victoria Tourism Industry Council, Tourism Australia, the speakers and fellow attendees for delivering such a thoughtful and energising event. I look forward to seeing how the conversations and ideas sparked throughout the day continue shaping the future of tourism across Victoria.