DAY 1
Tuesday, 12 May 2026
9:00 am - 10:00 am
Registration and Networking
Check in, grab a coffee and kickstart Cairns Crocodiles by connecting with industry leaders and creative minds. Explore the space, visit our brand partners and spark conversations before diving into an action-packed agenda.
KEYNOTE
AUDITORIUM B & C | DAY 1 MORNING
10:00 am - 10:05 am
Welcome to Country
Owner/Director, NGIRRI
10:05 am - 10:10 am
MC Welcome
Ex TV Producer Now Keynote Speaker
10:10 am - 10:20 am
Cairns Crocodiles Special Announcement
Founder & Soundsmith, BrandMusiq
CEO, The Misfits Media Company
10:20 am - 10:25 am
Welcome from Pinterest
Managing Director, Australia & New Zealand, Pinterest. (Moderator)
10:25 am - 11:05 am
Nedd Brockmann in Conversation
From running across Australia to raising millions for homelessness, Nedd Brockmann proves what happens when grit meets purpose. Joined by Pinterest's Melinda Petrunoff, this dynamic conversation explores resilience, community and the power of storytelling to mobilise a nation. Expect an inspiring and high-energy session on ambition, impact and turning ideas into action.
Australian Ultramarathon Athlete & Young Australian of the Year 2026
Managing Director, Australia & New Zealand, Pinterest. (Moderator)
11:05 am - 11:45 am
Weirdism: The Revolutionary Act of Not Being Normal
Jetting in from the UK, Amy Kean is one of the most provocative and influential voices in modern creativity. A creative sociologist, bestselling author and CEO of Good Shout, Amy has worked with brands including LEGO, Channel 4 and CNN. In this electrifying session, she introduces Weirdism — her rallying cry against conformity. Blending psychology, culture and sharp wit, Amy challenges audiences to question norms, unlock originality and embrace the power of being unapologetically weird. After her keynote, Kean will take the hot seat for a candid fireside conversation with Jackie Frank.
Founder, Be Frank Group & Ex-Pacific Magazines GM
Creative Sociologist, Bestselling Author, CEO & Creative Director, Good Shout
11:45 am - 12:30 am
Session detail coming soon
Editor-in-Chief, Forbes Australia
Global Growth Leader I AI, Creativity & Transformation Former Global Chief Growth Officer, Mars Petcare
12:25 pm - 12:30 pm
MC Close
TRAVEL MARKETING TRACK
PLENARY 1 & 2 | DAY 1 MORNING
10:00 am - 10:05 am
Welcome to Country
10:05 am - 10:10 am
MC Welcome
10:10 am - 10:45 am
Travel That Gives Back: The Power of Community Tourism
Few leaders have reshaped modern travel like Bruce Poon Tip. Before purpose was fashionable, he was proving it could be profitable. This is not a feel-good conversation about responsible tourism. It is a masterclass in building a global brand that puts local communities at the centre and makes it commercially powerful. From redefining success metrics to scaling impact without selling out, discover how travel can drive growth, loyalty and real change. A bold, future-facing look at why doing good is no longer optional, it is the competitive edge.
Entrepreneur, Philanthropist , Founder G Adventures
10:45 pm - 11:20 am
Cutting Through the AI Hype in Travel
AI is already reshaping travel, often invisibly. From helping advisers build smarter itineraries to managing pricing, availability and disruption in real time, it is transforming how travel is sold and supported. This session cuts through the hype to examine how travel should be using AI. We will spotlight the tools worth watching, where time and money are being saved, and how better data leads to sharper decisions. Practical and jargon free, this is a grounded guide to using AI to build stronger, smarter and more resilient travel businesses.
Founder & Managing Director, Yoghurt Digital
11:20 am - 11:55 am
Women in Travel - Power & Progress
The travel industry is powered by women, yet leadership journeys are rarely linear. In this candid and raw chat, senior executives share what it really takes to rise and lead across local, regional and global markets. From navigating influence and visibility to tackling talent retention, succession planning and sponsorship, this is an honest look at the realities of progression inside complex organisations. A practical conversation about building stronger leadership pipelines and ensuring women are not only welcomed into leadership, but supported to succeed and stay.
B&T Lifetime Achievement Award Winner, Founder, Author, Keynote Speaker, Matriarch, Futurist, Myth Buster
11:55 pm - 12:25 pm
The Forces Driving Modern Luxury
Luxury travel is no longer defined by excess. It is defined by meaning, time and access. As expectations shift, the brands winning high-value travellers are those that understand the psychology behind premium decision-making. This session brings together luxury thought leaders, destinations and marketers to unpack what is truly driving demand at the top end of the market. From consumer insight and data to storytelling, product design and distribution, discover how luxury is being positioned, priced and sold, and what it means for the future of travel.
Founder, Be Frank Group & Ex-Pacific Magazines GM
General Manager Luxury, ARE Media Australia
12:25 pm - 12:30 pm
MC CLOSE
12:30 pm - 1:40 pm
Networking break
Take a break, grab a bite and dive into the experience! Visit brand partners, collect exclusive swag and explore immersive installations designed to inspire and connect.
KEYNOTE
AUDITORIUM B & C | Day 1 Afternoon
1:45 pm - 1:50 pm
MC Welcome
Ex TV Producer Now Keynote Speaker
1:50 am - 2:30 pm
David Ohana Is Back — And Bringing A Guest
Back for 2026 on the main stage following his packed-out, standing-room-only session in 2025, United Nations Chief Marketing Officer David Ohana returns with a bang. Stay tuned for more details on his special guest.
Chief Communications and Marketing Officer, United Nations Foundation
2:30 pm - 3:00 pm
The Kindness Economy
A powerful keynote exploring optimism, human connection, and why doing good might just be the smartest business strategy of all. The session will be followed by a candid fireside chat with Australian media personality and entrepreneur, Jules Lund.
Founder, TRIBE
Entrepreneur, Philanthropist , Founder G Adventures
3:00 pm - 3:45 pm
In Conversation With Taika Waititi
Academy Award-winning filmmaker, actor and creative force Taika Waititi headlines Cairns Crocodiles 2026, bringing one of the world’s most original storytelling voices to the main stage. From Jojo Rabbit to Thor and beyond, Waititi has built a global career blending humour, heart and cultural truth. In this exclusive fireside conversation, he’ll explore creativity, leadership and the craft of shaping bold ideas into powerful cultural moments across film, television and global brand campaigns.
Director, Filmmaker, Actor
Editor-in-Chief, Vogue Australia
3:50 pm - 4:30 pm
Scale or Break: AI, Mergers & Modern Marketing
Media and marketing are being reshaped by mega-mergers, rapid AI adoption and relentless pressure to scale. But transformation is not just strategic. It is human. Drawing on his unrivalled leadership experience, Sir Martin reveals what actually breaks and what holds during large-scale change, how AI is really being used in marketing today, as well as the leadership moves that matter most when certainty disappears.
Executive Chairman, S4 Capital
B&T Editor
4:30 pm - 4:45 pm
MC Close
4:35 pm - 6:00 pm
A Beer & A Yarn with News Australia
(Happy Hour at Hemingway’s)
6:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Official Pinterest Welcome Party
TRAVEL MARKETING TRACK
PLENARY 1 & 2 | Day 1 Afternoon
1:45 pm - 1:50 pm
MC Welcome
1:50 pm - 2:20 pm
Why Peace of Mind is The New Travel Currency
In a world shaped by geopolitical tension, climate disruption and fast-moving crises, peace of mind has become one of travel’s most valuable currencies. This session unpacks what it truly takes to protect travellers when plans unravel. Drawing on real-world scenarios from global operators, hear how rapid accountability, decisive action, clear communication and trusted partners come together in moments that matter most. A practical, high-stakes conversation about risk, duty of care and building resilient travel programs that prioritise safety without compromising experience.
2:20 pm - 2:50 pm
Selling to the Scroll Generation
Gen Z and Gen Alpha are already reshaping how travel is discovered, booked and experienced, and their influence will only grow. This session puts the next generation under the microscope to explore what they truly expect from travel brands and experiences. From booking behaviour and brand trust to sustainability, social influence and value perception, hear practical insights from youth-focused brands and emerging voices. A sharp, forward-looking discussion on how advisers, operators and tourism boards must evolve to stay relevant to tomorrow’s travellers.
General Manager at ARRIVAL
Journalist, B&T
General Manager APAC at Global Touring
2:50 pm - 3:20 pm
A Peek Inside The Travel Loyalty Glow-Up
Loyalty programs are no longer powered by points alone. They are built on meaning, emotion and cultural relevance. As scrutiny intensifies around devaluations and shifting rewards, travel brands face growing pressure to deliver loyalty that truly lasts. In this session, leading voices from advertising and marketing bring an outside perspective rarely heard in travel forums. Discover how loyalty can evolve from a transactional mechanic into a powerful brand ecosystem that builds trust, deepens engagement and drives long-term competitive advantage in an increasingly crowded market.
3:20 pm - 3:50 pm
Session detail coming soon
3:50 pm - 4:20 pm
Session TBA
Session TBA
4:20 pm - 4:25 pm
MC Close
4:30 pm - 6:00 pm
A Beer & A Yarn with News Australia
(Happy Hour at Hemingway’s)
6:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Official Pinterest Welcome Party
HEMINGWAY'S TRACK
Official Partner, News Australia
Day 1 Afternoon
1:45 pm - 1:50 pm
MC Welcome
MC & Partnerships Lead at Debate Club
Australian Paralympic Swimmer and Motivational Speaker
1:50 pm - 2:20 pm
What's A Sheila Got To Do To Get a Beer Around Here? Invent it.
Jane Evans created Australia's first major craft beer brand in 1998, sparked a revolution, and turned James Squire into the category leader it is today. Flying in from London, Evans shares the bold moves and forgotten lessons behind an icon, and what the history of beer really taught her. And if you think James Squire was a criminal, wait untill you meet the bad guys...
B&T Lifetime Achievement Award Winner, Founder, Author, Keynote Speaker, Matriarch, Futurist, Myth Buster
Founder, Mavens.
2:20 pm - 2:50 pm
The Imperfects vs The Algorithm
The platforms want perfection. Audiences want something real. The Imperfects proves that depth, vulnerability and long-form storytelling can outperform clickbait and optimisation. This session challenges the industry’s addiction to scale and asks the harder question: what does ethical growth look like in an attention economy? A must-hear for brands navigating the tension between performance and purpose — and choosing to stay unapologetically human
Co-host, The Imperfects
Co-host, The Imperfects
Executive Head – LiSTNR Commercial
2:50 pm - 3:20 pm
Session detail coming soon
3:20 pm - 3:50 pm
Make Creativity Great Again
Creativity was once marketing’s greatest competitive advantage. Today, it is often constrained by process, platforms, and the pursuit of predictability. As brands compete in a sea of sameness, the ability to think differently has never mattered more. This session explores how leaders can restore creativity to its rightful place at the centre of growth, protect brave ideas, and build brands that people notice, remember, and choose.
Executive Creative Director, Canva
Hannah McElhinney, Chief Creator + Co-Founder, Snack Drawer
Consultant, Former CEO BBH & Publicis India, Ex-Chairman Ad Standards Council India
CEO Droga5 Australia & New Zealand & MD, Accenture Song
3:50 pm - 4:20 pm
Tubi Quiz Show Hosted By Bucky
Hosted by news.com.au’s Andrew “Bucky” Bucklow, this fast-paced quiz show pits two TBA media insiders against a lucky audience member in a hilarious battle of pop culture smarts. All questions draw from streaming service Tubi’s treasure trove of old favourites, new hits and cult classics with laughs, prizes and plenty of surprises along the way.
Reporter, Podcast Host, Free News & Lifestyle Editorial
4:15 pm - 4:20 pm
MC Close
4:55 pm - 6:00 pm
A Beer & A Yarn with News Australia
(Happy Hour at Hemingway’s)
6:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Official Pinterest Welcome Party