AGENDA
Below is a detailed agenda for this year’s conference. There may be updates from time, to time so check in occasionally for the latest details.
To download an overview of the program agenda, please click here. Please note that this document is subject to change.
CONFERENCE TIMINGS OVERVIEW
To assist with your travel timings, please be aware of the following activities. If you are arriving via the Brisbane Airport, please allow 70 minutes travel time from the airport to the conference venue.
RMS Workshop
Tuesday 6 September - 10:00am to 12:00pm
NewBook Workshop
Tuesday 6 September - 10:00am to 12:00pm
ReviewPro Workshop
Tuesday 6 September - 1.00pm to 2:00pm
Advanced Social Media Workshop
Tuesday 6 September - 2:00pm to 3:00pm
Registration Desk & Exhibition Hall Opens
Tuesday 6 September - from 2:30pm
Opening - Chairman's Address & BIG4 Welcome Event
Tuesday 6 September - 4:30pm to 7:00pm
Day One - Plenary Sessions & Workshops
Wednesday 7 September - 8:30am to 2:00pm
Group Activity & Dinner - BIG4 Sandstone Point Holiday Resort
Wednesday 7 September - 2:15pm to 8:00pm
Day Two - Plenary Sessions & Workshops
Thursday 8 September - 8:30am to 4:30pm
Gala Awards Dinner
Thursday 8 September - 6:30pm to 11:30pm
DAY 1 - TUESDAY 6 SEPTEMBER
Pre-Conference Workshops
There are four pre-conference workshops available prior to the official conference opening. If you intend to be on the Sunshine Coast earlier than 6 September, you might like to consider these options.
RMS Workshop: Optimising Guest Communication on the Guest Journey
Mudjimba 2
NewBook Workshop
Mudjimba 3
ReviewPro Workshop
Mudjimba 2 & 3
In this session learn how you can garner trust and drive bookings via solid online communication habits at all steps of the guest journey. Consider why reviews and guest feedback is more important than ever, and see how using your ReviewPro guest feedback and technology can help you elevate your guest experience and create a more efficient operation.
Topics include:
- Introduction to Guest Surveys
- Guest Feedback Across the Guest Journey
- Responding to Guest Feedback – create efficiencies and maximise opportunity
- Insiders Tips and Stories
Mudjimba 2 & 3
In this session, you will learn the fundamentals for running paid advertising campaigns on Facebook and Instagram.
This includes how to set up campaigns, best practice for creative, targeting audiences, determining your budget, and measuring your results. You will also learn some simple ways to create high quality, engaging content for your organic social media channels. Leave feeling organised and inspired with an engaging social media plan in place for the months ahead at the end of this session.
You can register to attend this session when you register for the conference.
If you have already registered for the conference and have now decided to attend this session, please call our conference organiser 212F on 03 8620 7820.
Location - Mudjimba Room
BIG4 Chairman James Atkins will welcome everyone to the 2022 BIG4 National Conference before proceeding to the Exhibition space; your opportunity to meet this years broad selection of quality industry exhibitors and partners.
5:00pm to 5:30pm
Exhibition Hall - The Wandiny Room (Sectioned-off area).
Neat Casual
5:00pm - 7:00pm
Exhibition Hall - The Wandiny Room
Have a drink and some canapes at the Welcome Event in the exhibition hall after the Chairman's Welcome Address.
This will be the first opportunity in two years for many in the network to catch up, including an opportunity for first-time BIG4 Conference attendees to meet and chat with BIG4 board members and NSO staff.
Take this opportunity to catch up with friends and mingle with the many conference Exhibitors, BIG4 Directors, NSO staff, and Life Members.
Following the BIG4 Welcome and Exhibition Opening Event is a free night and an opportunity to continue to socialise with friends, dine in house, or check out the restaurants and bars in nearby Maroochydore. We advise booking early for hotel restaurants.
Local dining options for this evening - Click HERE.
DAY 2 - WEDNESDAY 7 SEPTEMBER
Exhibition Hall - The Wandiny Room from 7:30am
Minyama 1
From 8:30am
Speaker: Bernard Wilson
Minyama 1
From 9.25am
Speaker: Sean Jenner, BIG4 CEO
Together with BIG4 NSO Management Team
Sean Jenner and the BIG4 executive team will review the challenges and wins of the last 12 months, acknowledge the network’s achievements, and provide insight regarding plans and direction.
Minyama 1
12.15pm - 1:00pm and 2.00pm - 2.45pm
Speakers: Peter Clay & Julie Poole
The amount of data from FCOM parks’ PMS and the analytics that are now available from BIG4’s data warehouse and business intelligence tools is staggering.
We now have the capability via your BIG4 BDM and ultimately the BIG4HUB to provide access to multiple analytics. In this workshop, we dive into the insights and reports that BIG4 can now provide to parks, what the numbers mean, what is relevant to your business and how you can use this data to assist in decisions to positively impact your bottom line.
Minyama 2
12.15pm - 1:00pm and 2.00pm - 2.45pm
Speaker: Panel
With the challenges of finding good staff and then keeping them top of mind for many park owner and managers this panel session will take a look at best practice in recruitment and creating the work culture that keeps your team engaged and loving their work.
Reliable, self-motivated and happy staff allows owner and manager to plan for tomorrow rather than worry about today.
We will hear from an HR specialist and talk with parks that have real life experience and examples of strategies to keep their staff happy and engaged.
AFTERNOON
Team Building Activity and Dinner
BIG4 Sandstone Point Holiday Resort
2:45pm - 8:30pm
This offsite event promises to be a highlight with an exciting opportunity to visit the outstanding BIG4 Sandstone Point Holiday Resort and explore the park while engaging in fun, drinks, and dinner at the amazing Sandstone Point Hotel next door.
Nestled on the shores of Pumicestone Passage in Moreton Bay, BIG4 Sandstone Point Holiday Resort is a premier find. It teems with family-friendly facilities, including a kids’ water park, jumping pillow, playground, playroom, movie room, tennis court and more alongside a variety of excellent accommodation.
The property offers superb facilities in gorgeous natural surroundings on the doorstep of Bribie Island and its spectacular beaches.
The visit will commence with welcome drinks and afternoon tea followed with a team building activity at 4pm that will have you exploring the park and engaging in fun team activities.
Dinner will be held at Sandstone Point Hotel, next to the resort, from 6.30pm and there will be plenty of time to socialise, with coaches departing from 8.30pm for return to Novotel Sunshine Coast Resort.
DAY 3 - THURSDAY 8 SEPTEMBER
Exhibition Hall - The Wandiny Room - from 8:00am
Minyama 1
From 9:00am
It’s been a while since we had an update from our cousins across the Tasman. With the last 2.5 years like nothing any of us have experienced before, we look forward to welcoming our friend David Ovendale (hopefully in person) to share their challenges, wins, and thoughts of the future for the holiday parks sector in NZ. We are sure there will be much that resonates with parks here in Australia.
The synergy – your park and the BIG4 Brand: Together - Workshop 3
Minyama 1
11:45am - 12:30pm and 1.15pm - 2.00pm
Speakers: Tash Prendergast & Mark Proctor
Knowing your customer and their needs are key to both retaining existing customers and attracting a new audience.
A selection of park owners & managers will share their stories outlining how they identified a customer need, while leveraging the power of brand to drive park innovation and customer engagement.
This workshop will draw upon collective knowledge and conference content to address the challenge of driving revenue during off-peak periods.The best ideas may even win a prize so get ready to think creatively and share great ideas.
Environmental sustainability – Tomorrows Opportunity? - Workshop 4
Minyama 2
11:45am - 12:30pm and 1.15pm - 2.00pm
Speaker: Panel
Power costs are escalating, global warming is evident in extremes of weather around the world and economists list environment as a leading economic driver. Among travellers, awareness of environmental issues is at an all-time high and innovative, sustainable, carbon neutral businesses are emerging at a growing rate.
This workshop explores what can be done and has been done at BIG4 parks around Australia to head towards carbon neutrality, power savings and reducing environmental impact. We also consider opportunities to differentiate and engage with guests about, and on, this journey as they become more environmentally aware and increasingly bring their “green” expectations with them when they book and stay.
AFTERNOON
LIVINWELL
R U OK Day
Minyama 1
2.35pm - 3.30pm
As part of RUOK Day, we thought it pertinent that there was some focus around positive mental health in the workplace and to provide you with some easy to implement guidance around mental first aid for your staff and at home.
This highly relatable session from carefully selected facilitators, who have a blend of lived and experience mental health training, will educate you on a range of issues related to mental health with an emphasis on breaking the stigma of mental health and encouraging help-seeking behaviour.
Closing Keynote: Steve Hooker
Minyama 1
3:30pm - 4:30pm
Steve Hooker - Former Australian Pole Vaulter
The former pole vaulter is a decorated Australian athlete. And he has an inspiring story that resonates with the BIG4 brand and the current landscape. It’s a story of overcoming challenges, accepting failures, and of stubborn persistence to remain at the peak of his game. Hooker’s star has continued to rise since his retirement from competitive sport.
EVENING
BIG4 Gala Awards Dinner
The annual BIG4 Gala Awards Dinner is not to be missed. This wonderful evening of gala glitz, fine dining, and awards recognises outstanding achievements across the BIG4 network and celebrates BIG4’s wonderful and enduring culture of co-operation and excellence.
The evening’s formalities culminate with the announcement of this years’ winner of the coveted Des and Margaret Watts Supreme Award for Excellence. This perpetual award celebrates excellence at the very essence of being a BIG4 park and has been provided by BIG4 founders Des and Margaret since 2000.
There will be plenty of time for socialising and dancing, and no doubt the dance floor will again be the place to be once the formalities are done and the music gets going.
MC for the evening will be our favourite Aussie swimming champion, Giaan Rooney.
Event Details
6:30pm to 11:30pm
Minyama 1 & 2
Black Tie/Formal Wear
Contact Us
Should you have any questions about the conference please contact our 2022 BIG4 National Conference Event Partner: