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THURSDAY, 12TH JUNE 2025 | SYDNEY LUNCH | SUMMIT | NETWORKING | AGM | DINNER |
CATO Summit & Dinner 2025 – Event Recap
The Council of Australian Tour Operators (CATO) has wrapped up a highly successful CATO Summit and Dinner 2025, held on Thursday 12 June at the spectacular Watersedge at Campbells Stores, The Rocks. The sold-out event delivered on its promise of purpose-built content for tour operators and wholesalers, while the dinner offered guests a front-row view of the spectacular Vivid Sydney lights to cap off the evening.
Designed to tackle the real-world challenges and opportunities facing outbound tour operators and wholesalers, the half-day Summit featured a dynamic mix of expert-led sessions covering risk management, financial strategies, marketing trends, technology, and insurance.
“The feedback from members and industry stakeholders has been overwhelmingly positive. The curated content, practical advice, and high-quality speakers made this year’s Summit the most valuable to date.” — Brett Jardine, Managing Director, CATO
Summit Highlights Included:
- Legal insights on business structures and succession planning
- Strategies for managing foreign exchange and improving cash flow
- Cyber security and automation for greater business efficiency
- Lifecycle marketing tips
- Future consumer trends in global touring
The Summit concluded with the CATO Annual General Meeting, followed by a sold-out members-only dinner. The evening also marked the inaugural CATO Hall of Fame induction, honouring Peter Baily and Darrell Wade for outstanding contributions to the industry.
CATO extends its sincere thanks to the 2025 Summit sponsors: Frontera Law, XE, Axelo, Gow-Gates, Intuit Mailchimp and Mint — whose support made the event possible.
As the only event of its kind tailored specifically for outbound tour operators and wholesalers, the CATO Summit will continue to grow in significance as a must-attend business event for the sector.
Summit Sessions
Legal | Business Structures and Risk Management
Presented by: Aaron Zoanetti, Frontera Law
Structures, contracts, compliance & consumer protection – are you covered? Discover how the right legal setup can protect your business from financial ruin.
Insurance | Public Liability vs Tour Operators Liability
Presented by: Gow-Gates Insurance
Why having both public and tour operators liability cover is essential for comprehensive protection.
FX | Managing Foreign Exchange & Financial Strategies
Presented by: Xe
Currency volatility and financial planning essentials to protect your profit margins and ensure long-term business sustainability.
Legal | Mergers, Acquisitions & Succession Planning
Presented by: Aaron Zoanetti, Frontera Law
Plan your exit strategy smartly—whether it's growth through acquisition or preparing for a generational transition.
Business Optimisation through Outsourcing, Automation & Cyber Security
Presented by: Nik Devidas, Group CEO Axelo (Formally 4Walls Cyber Advisory)
Secure, Streamline, Scale – The Smart Operator’s Toolkit. This session explores how tour operators & wholesalers can leverage trusted outsourcing and technology solutions to reduce risk, save money, and focus on growth.
Lifecycle Marketing: From First Touch to Loyal Advocate
Presented by: Intuit Mailchimp
Automation Journeys, Personalisation & Retention – Building a Customer for Life. This session will show how to design automated customer journeys that nurture relationships, build loyalty, and drive long-term growth.
The Consumer Shift: What’s Next for Touring?
Panel Discussion
The Evolution of Touring – Where Are The Biggest Opportunities? Consumer travel preferences are changing rapidly—this panel discussion explored the key trends shaping the future of touring and how operators can adapt to stay competitive.
Thank you to everyone who attended, supported, and contributed to the success of CATO Summit 2025.
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