our team

Cris Kennedy

President | Royal Australian Mint

Nicole Short

Vice President | Australian Parliament House

Paul McKay

Treasurer | National Portrait Gallery

Dr Naomi Dale

CEO, Canberra Region Tourism Industry Council

Naomi is a research Professor and Director of the School for the Visitor Economy at Victorian University. Her Ph.D. investigated destination choice by school excursion groups in Australia. She is the coordinator of the annual Visitor Research Forum, Chair of the Council for Australasian Tourism, Hospitality and Events Education (CAUTHE) and an Executive member of the Australian Tourism Industry Council (ATIC), and the ACT Branch of Higher Education Research and Development Society of Australasia (HERDSA). Noami’s research is concerned with learning and engagement and transformative experiences. This incorporates research in the specific areas of educational tourism, policy impacts on curriculum, and visitor research at cultural institutions and national capital attractions. It also captures emerging research interests in the application of social media, and strategies for engagement through AI and e-platforms (in teaching, tourism, and events). Other key areas are around workforce and wellbeing, management, consumer behaviour and marketing. 

Debra Beetham

Managing Director, Canberra Region Tourism Industry Council

Debra manages the Canberra Region Tourism Industry Council, powered by the National Capital Attractions Association, serving as a key conduit for industry support. Her primary responsibility is the delivery of the Canberra Region Tourism Awards. This flagship program celebrates excellence across the region and supports operators in achieving national recognition. Debra also leads the Capital Region Showcase, an annual event attracting more than 400 parliamentarians to highlight the strength and diversity of the Canberra Region tourism sector.

She oversees delivery of the Quality Tourism Framework, including Quality Tourism Accreditation and Star Ratings, helping businesses strengthen standards in sustainability, accessibility, and visitor experience. With more than 20 years in the industry, Debra has held senior roles at major attractions such as the Australian Institute of Sport, Questacon, and the Australian National Botanic Gardens, and contributed to national events including Enlighten and the G20 Summit. A board member of the National Capital Attractions Association, she holds a Post-Graduate Degree in Business Management from the University of Canberra.

Garry Watson

NCETP Program Leader

Garry has been part of the ACT tourism sector for 30 years, and the Project Leader of the National Capital Educational Tourism Project (NCETP) since 1999. Under his leadership the NCETP has had a significant impact on the ACT tourism region with educational visitors injecting 140 million economic value to the ACT annually. Previous to this, Garry worked extensively in the ACT attractions sector including running visitor services and public programs at the National Film and Sound Archive and providing electoral education for the National Electoral Education Centre. He has also been a market research consultant, with a speciality in facilitating search conferences.

Garry has been a key part of the National Capital Attractions Association and Canberra Region Tourism Awards (CRTA) for many years. After 10 years as Chair of Judges for the CRTA, in 2016 Garry was appointed the Chair of Judges for the Australian Tourism Awards concluding at the end of 2018. Garry has been awarded the Canberra Region Tourism Awards, 2001 Outstanding Contribution by an Individual Award and has been included as a Member in the Order of Australia (General Division) for his services to tourism.

Adam Robbins

National Capital Authority

Dr Stephanie Smith

Museum of Australian Democracy

Jacqui Smith

National Museum of Australia

Jacqui is a creative and dynamic leader, with a wealth of experience in the performing arts, tourism and higher education spheres. She is currently Head of Commercial at the National Museum of Australia, Canberra, responsible for tourism, corporate partnerships, venue engagement and retail. Prior to her move to Canberra, she was CEO of the Australian Haydn Ensemble, co-leading the Ensemble’s first international tour to the United States, opening the Australian Embassy in Washington and a debut performance at Carnegie Hall. Her previous roles include leadership positions at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, University of Sydney and University of Technology, Sydney in creative faculties and portfolios. Jacqui also services as Chair of The Song Company and is a member of the Create NSW Classical Music Artform Board.

Angie Good

Questacon

Kathryn Carling

DOMA Hotels