Helloworld Travel is set to bring a splash of Tropical North Queensland sunshine to its annual Owner Managers Conference (OMC), with 480 delegates heading to Cairns from 11-14 June 2026.
Taking place at the Cairns Convention Centre, the event will once again bring together Helloworld owners, managers, suppliers and industry partners from across Australia and New Zealand for a mix of business insights, industry discussion and networking.
The conference officially kicks off at Salt House, with delegates then settling in for three days of keynote sessions, trade updates and conversations about the opportunities and challenges shaping travel retail.
Tourism and Events Queensland (TEQ) and Tourism Tropical North Queensland (TTNQ) are major partners, highlighting the region’s continued focus on showcasing itself to one of the industry’s most influential audiences.
Star speakers
This year’s speaker line-up stretches well beyond travel.
The Barefoot Investor, Scott Pape OAM, headlines the program, while digital wellbeing expert Dr Kirsty Goodwin will share insights on productivity and performance in an increasingly connected world.
Adding some laughs to proceedings, comedian Celia Pacquola joins the program as a special guest, while Anthony “Lehmo” Lehmann returns as master of ceremonies.
Industry voices will also feature prominently, with Helloworld Travel CEO and managing director Andrew Burnes AO, chief operating officer and executive director Cinzia Burnes, and other senior executives including Nick Sutherland, Adele Labine-Romain and Melissa Warren taking the stage.
One session likely to resonate strongly with delegates is a panel exploring why the Great Barrier Reef remains one of Australia’s most compelling tourism experiences. Another will tackle the Reserve Bank of Australia’s credit card surcharge changes and what they could mean for travel businesses and consumers.
As is tradition, the conference will wrap up with a gala awards dinner, recognising standout performers from across the Helloworld Travel network.
Helloworld has previously used OMC to align its retail network strategy with broader industry trends, including evolving consumer demand, digital transformation and shifting supplier relationships. Check out last year’s wrap here.
With strong outbound demand continuing and travel businesses navigating another year of change, Cairns is shaping up as the backdrop for some important conversations about where the Helloworld Travel network, and the wider industry, goes next.
KARRYON UNPACKS: OMC always sets the tone for Helloworld’s retail network. Cairns adds a destination lens, but the real value is how owners translate big-picture strategy into everyday agency reality.
Karryon will be reporting from this year’s OMC in Cairns.
