Young Tourism Network

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Young Tourism Network

The Young Tourism Network (YTN) is a membership-based networking group that aims to connect students We're just like you!

YTN is run by a committee of members who work and study within tourism related fields. YTN membership enables you to meet like minded people in the industry at our networking and social events, take part in our Trusted Advisor Program, and to gain access to member-only resources. SIGN UP TODAY to be apart of the YTN community!

05/06/2026

Oliver Hunter will be our keynote speaker for our upcoming event, Accessibility in Action: Designing Inclusive Visitor Experiences.

Living with cerebral palsy and using a wheelchair, Oliver’s has a different view of the world around him (literally- he’s lower). Performing stand up comedy - although he’s never actually stood up - Oliver has been cracking jokes about disability for over 10 years. Entertaining crowds from all major cities in Australia to Dallas, Seattle and L.A in the United States.

While not wearing his comedian hat. Oliver is a disability awareness consultant and advocate, keynote speaker and podcast host. Always aiming to breakdown barriers and improve the lives of all people living with a disability. In other words: “the guy you get when you can’t afford Dylan Alcott”.

Designed for tourism, hospitality and events professionals, emerging industry leaders and students, this event offers the opportunity to gain practical insights, hear directly from people working in this space, and connect with fellow students, professionals and industry leaders.

Enjoy canapés and a welcome drink on arrival while networking with peers and industry colleagues.

📆 Wednesday 1 July, 5:30pm - 8:30pm
📍Garden State Hotel, 101 Flinders Lane, Melbourne
🎟️ Free for YTN members, $20 for non-members

Register here - https://ytn.wildapricot.org/event-6682891

01/06/2026

Accessibility in Action: Designing Inclusive Visitor Experiences

Join us for an engaging evening of industry insight as we explore accessibility, inclusion and visitor experience within the tourism, hospitality and events industries. Through lived experience and real-world case studies, this event will highlight how tourism, hospitality and events professionals and organisations are working to create more accessible experiences for all visitors.

The evening will feature a keynote presentation by Oliver Hunter, a disability advocate and podcaster fresh off his run at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival. His keynote speech, Making It Work – Navigating a World Not Built for You, draws on his own personal experiences navigating tourism, travel and everyday environments with a disability.

📆 Wednesday 1 July, 5:30pm - 8:30pm
📍Garden State Hotel, 101 Flinders Lane, Melbourne
🎟️ Free for YTN members, $20 for non-members

Register here - https://ytn.wildapricot.org/event-6682891

22/05/2026

Over 85 students, young professionals and tourism industry leaders came together for Young Tourism Network’s Career Connections event this week🙌.

The night was all about helping the next generation build meaningful career and industry connections within the visitor economy, and the energy throughout the event showed just how passionate people are about the future of tourism.

We were lucky to hear from inspiring industry leaders who shared their unique career journeys, insights into their organisations, the skills that have helped them grow, and what it’s really like working in the visitor economy.

One of the biggest takeaways from the evening? There’s no single pathway into tourism. Whether your interests are in events, aviation, hospitality, destination marketing, operations, visitor services or experiences, the industry is full of exciting and diverse opportunities.

A huge thank you to our incredible speakers for sharing their stories and advice with attendees:
Ash & Suzana, Melbourne Avalon Airport
Indra Nadeson, Lethbridge Wines
Rebekah Jeffrey, Intrepid Travel
Daniel Ovalles Tavares, Searoad Ferries
Maddison B, Arts Centre Melbourne
Karen Hollenbach, Think Bespoke

Thank you to Sam D'Agostino from SDP media for taking fabulous photos and headshots of all our attendees.

And thank you to and Todd Bennett for sponsoring the event and introducing your platform.

William Angliss Institute La Trobe University Flight Centre Business Travel - Australia Intrepid Travel Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions Holmesglen Victoria Tourism Industry Council (VTIC) Visit Victoria Victoria University Australian Venue Co.

08/05/2026

Daniel Ovalles, Hospitality Operations Manager, Searoad Hospitality Group will be joining us for our Career Connections Night.

Daniel oversees operations for four venues and a team of 120 staff. Originally from Venezuela, where he studied Geophysics Engineering, he transitioned into the Australian hospitality industry while completing building studies. His decade-long career at Searoad Ferries includes a rapid ascent from casual F&B service to Sous Chef at 24 and Head Chef by 26 to a larger high-level strategic operations management role across all venues. Now a graduate of the Victorian Tourism Leadership Program, Daniel combines extensive culinary experience with strategic leadership to drive operational excellence in the tourism sector.

Career Connections Night
Book your place - https://ytn.wildapricot.org/event-6644375
🎟️ Free for YTN members, $30 for non-members
📆 Tuesday, 19 May

This event is proudly being delivered in partnership with .

Searoad Ferries

04/05/2026

We will be joined by Karen Hollenbach, Founding Director of Think Bespoke to share her expertise on how to maximise LinkedIn in your career development at our Career Connections Night. Karen is dedicated to empowering Australian professionals and organisations to achieve meaningful impact through LinkedIn. As a LinkedIn Expert Consultant, she helps individuals and organisations maximise LinkedIn’s potential for sustainable personal and professional growth.

Career Connections Night
Book your place - click on the link in our bio
🎟️ Free for YTN members, $30 for non-members
📆 Tuesday, 19 May

This event is proudly being delivered in partnership with .
hollenbach,

01/05/2026

YTN's Career Connections Night expands on our Tourism Tour Geelong. Four YTN members were directly employed in roles in hospitality and tourism following the event by connecting with employers.

A testimonial from one of our speakers:
"A massive thank you to you for this brilliantly conceived evening. The most fun I have ever had networking. Very valuable connections and I look forward to seeing what these young people get up to in the future!"

Join us as an exhibitor to connect directly with prospective employees and meet with rising talent in our visitor economy.

📆 5.30pm to 9pm on Tuesday 19 May
📍 Quarterhouse, 693 Collins Street, Docklands

Learn more and get in touch - https://ytn.wildapricot.org/event-6644375

23/04/2026

Applications are closing soon for the Young Tourism Network’s Trusted Advisor Program that connects emerging visitor economy professionals (Advisees) with established industry professionals (Advisors) in a 12-week mentoring program.

Apply to be an advisor:
- Learn directly from leading Applied Emotional Intelligence coach Mel Neil
- Practice your leadership skills
- Reflect on own career journey
- Build your network and gain new perspectives
- Give back and support the next generation of tourism professionals

Apply to be an advisee:
- Create new networks and industry connections
- Build confidence about your future in tourism
- Gain practical guidance on resumes, interviews, and industry expectations
- Gain insight into how the tourism industry works in Victoria

📆 Applications close Monday 27 April - https://youngtourismnetwork.com.au/join/trusted-advisor-program/

20/04/2026

Considering applying for the Trusted Advisor Program?

This program connects emerging professionals with experienced leaders across tourism, events and hospitality, focused on practical guidance and industry insight.

Whether you’re starting out or looking to give back, this is what you can expect:

- Build meaningful industry connections
- Gain fresh perspectives and insights
- Grow confidence and communication skills
- Learn through real conversations and experiences
- Strengthen your understanding of the tourism industry

📆 Applications close Tuesday 27 April
Click here to apply - https://youngtourismnetwork.com.au/join/trusted-advisor-program/

15/04/2026

Start building your career and industry connections in the visitor economy at YTN’s Career Connections night. Meet industry professionals, hear their career story and learn what skills will help you keep developing.

The event will run as a “walking tour in a room”, where attendees are guided between the exhibitor stations in curated sessions. Five industry leaders will have the opportunity to share with participants about their career journey, available roles in their organisation, and what it’s like to work in the visitor economy.

Throughout the night you’ll have the chance to network over drinks and nibbles to get to know the leaders driving our industry.

📆 Tuesday 19 May, 5:30pm - 8:30pm
📍Quarterhouse, 693 Collins St
🎟️ Free for YTN members, $30 for non-members

Learn more and register here - https://ytn.wildapricot.org/event-6644375

13/04/2026

Meet your 2026 Young Tourism Network committee part 2 👋

The team is planning an exciting year full of valuable opportunities and networking fun for YTN’s 20th year!

Swipe through to learn a little bit about the team, then come along to our events to meet us!

Address

Melbourne, VIC
3000

Website

https://youngtourismnetwork.com.au/

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