In a conversation with Yeoh Siew Hoon, editor and producer of WIT-Web In Travel, Lynn will share the latest trends in the online travel business as well as talk about his career path and lessons learnt with the audience of students and young talent expected to attend the evening event held at Softel on Collins, Melbourne.

Lynn, who is based in Sydney, leads the development and operations of the four Expedia-branded sites in the Asia Pacific region (Australia, New Zealand, Japan and India) and oversees the Asia Pacific growth strategy for Expedia Worldwide, the Expedia, Inc. business group responsible for all 19 Expedia-branded sites across the globe.

Held in partnership with HSMAI Asia Pacific and Accor Asia Pacific, WIT*e in Melbourne will also feature a panel of industry experts comprising Paul Southey, vice president Asia Pacific, TravelCLICK (below, right); Kate Smith, managing director of Waldron Smith Management; Nigel Gaunt, managing director, The Mint Organisation; and Henrik Berglind, Director of Sales & Distribution-Australia, Accor. (below, left) 

Each of them will bring their individual perspectives on the opportunities and new skills needed in a dynamically-changing industry. 

WIT*e in Melbourne will run from 6-9.30pm.

WIT*e is the Inspiration & Mentoring event launched by Web In Travel to groom tomorrow’s tourism leaders. It’s been held six times in Singapore and went to Bangkok for the first time on September 26 this year, in partnership with HSMAI Asia Pacific.

“We are delighted to bring the idea of WIT*e to Australia. We believe that grooming tomorrow’s tourism leaders is something all of Asia Pacific needs to do at the rate our tourism industry is growing.

“Travel and tourism students need to be mentored by industry professionals and to be inspired to stay on in the business. Let’s face it, all of us got our start because someone gave us a chance.

“And it’s not only a one-way street – we have found with WIT*e we have run so far, industry professionals who attend are as inspired by the enthusiasm of the young. WIT*e is about connecting future leaders with industry professionals so that both can learn from each other.”

Added Bernadette Dennis, managing director of HSMAI Asia Pacific, “It is very exciting to have a WIT*e in Melbourne. As the hospitality, travel and tourism industries grow, it is invaluable to students and junior managers to be able to hear from industries leaders and learn more about the industries into which they plan to focus their working careers.”

Admission is free to all students and industry professionals who want to be part of this inaugural event in Australia.

For full programme, click here

To register, contact HSMAI Secretariat or Gerry Pang

Featured image credit (Melbourne city waterfront still reflection in Yarra river at sunrise): Ockra/iStock