Destination Mountain Bike Forum 2019- Conference Program 2019 Destination Mountain Biking Forum-Conference Program (subject to change) ...
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Destination Mountain Bike Forum 2019- Conference Program 2019 Destination Mountain Biking Forum- Conference Program (subject to change) 1
Conference Program - Day 1 2019 Destination Mountain Biking Forum- Conference Program (subject to change) 2
DAY ONE- February 13th 2019 Time- 0830- 1800 Conference registration, Maydena Bike Park guest services. Time- 0930- 1600 Optional riding session (un-guided). Pre booking recommended- uplift passes available at www.maydenabikepark.com/book (use the code destinationmtb for discount). Time- 1700 Welcome drink Welcome drink at Maydena Bike Park Guest Services room. Drinks available for purchase from The Canteen. 2019 Destination Mountain Biking Forum- Conference Program (subject to change) 3
Conference Program - Day 2 2019 Destination Mountain Biking Forum- Conference Program (subject to change) 4
DAY ONE- February 14th 2019 Time- 0830- 0845 Welcome MC- Rhys Ellis, CEO- Simon French Time- 0845- 0930 Keynote 1- The Maydena Bike Park story Speaker- Simon French Representing- Maydena Bike Park, Dirt Art Abstract- The Maydena Bike Park (MBP) has been a four-year journey of putting square pegs into round holes, and learning through breaking things. The park has blazed an innovative path towards developing the kind of mountain bike facility that mountain bike riders truly want to visit and ride. Along the way, the development and operation team have faced near-endless challenges from unexpected approval challenges, floods, fires, and a rider death. MBP continues to strive to build bigger, and better trails and infrastructure, with a busy development pipeline ahead towards recognising the goal of establishing the world’s biggest and best commercial bike park. Time- 0930- 1015 Keynote 2- Forget about the bike for a second Speaker- Phil Boorman Representing- New Zealand Mountain Biking Abstract- Most in the travel industry have their own idea of what "customer experience" is. In Phil Boorman's keynote address, he'll challenge the conventional wisdom of this notion, and offer a fresh perspective that is especially relevant and important to adventure travel providers and specifically mountain bike tour operators. Time- 1015- 1045 Morning Tea Morning Tea at The Summit 2019 Destination Mountain Biking Forum- Conference Program (subject to change) 5
Time- 1045- 1130 Keynote 3- The changing media and marketing landscape Speakers- Chris Southwood Representing- Flow Mountain Bike Summary- Flow Mountain Bike are at the forefront of modern mountain bike media and destination marketing in Australia, with a well-established web platform and a huge social media audience. As mountain bike destinations continue to develop across the country, marketing is becoming a critically important tool. Chris and Mick will discuss the current and emerging trends in mountain bike destination marketing, exploring the most efficient and cost-effective ways to achieve destination marketing success. Time- 1130- 1200 Workshop 1- Session 1 Workshop 1A- Developing successful businesses in MTB towns Speaker- Buck Gibson- Vertigo MTB Blue Derby Abstract- Ask any Australian mountain bike rider if they’ve heard of Blue Derby, and you will get a resounding, yes! Buck’s business has boomed along with the popularity of the Blue Derby trails, with Vertigo playing no small part in the broader success of the destination. Buck now operates uplift, bike retail, rental, repairs and bike skills coaching, along with a café in the town, and has a number of valuable insights into establishing successful businesses in a rapidly growing mountain bike town. Workshop 1B- Developing world-class bike school programs Speaker- Rhys Ellis Abstract- Maydena Bike Park has placed a strong focus on developing a best-of- type bike school, a program that has been led by Park Manager, Rhys Ellis. Learn how to set up a successful bike school that promotes safe skill progression, while delivering strong financial performance in a commercial bike park setting. Workshop 1C- Trail Design 101 Speakers- Dirt Art trail design team 2019 Destination Mountain Biking Forum- Conference Program (subject to change) 6
Abstract- Join the Dirt Art trail design team for an in-field practical walk through some of the Maydena Bike Park trails. The session will involve discussion and rationale around trail design decisions and methodology in a practical setting. Learn the fundamentals from some of the best trail designers in the industry, in one of the most challenging landscape settings for trail development Time- 1200- 1230 Workshop 1- Session 2 Workshop 1A- Developing successful businesses in MTB towns Speaker- Buck Gibson- Vertigo MTB Blue Derby Abstract- Ask any Australian mountain bike rider if they’ve heard of Blue Derby, and you will get a resounding, yes! Buck’s business has boomed along with the popularity of the Blue Derby trails, with Vertigo playing no small part in the broader success of the destination. Buck now operates uplift, bike retail, rental, repairs and bike skills coaching, along with a café in the town, and has a number of valuable insights into establishing successful businesses in a rapidly growing mountain bike town. Workshop 1B- Developing world-class bike school programs Speaker- Rhys Ellis Abstract- Maydena Bike Park has placed a strong focus on developing a best-of- type bike school, a program that has been led by Park Manager, Rhys Ellis. Learn how to set up a successful bike school that promotes safe skill progression, while delivering strong financial performance in a commercial bike park setting. Workshop 1C- Trail Design 101 Speakers- Dirt Art trail design team Abstract- Join the Dirt Art trail design team for an in-field practical walk through some of the Maydena Bike Park trails. The session will involve discussion and rationale around trail design decisions and methodology in a practical setting. Learn the fundamentals from some of the best trail designers in the industry, in one of the most challenging landscape settings for trail development Time- 1230-1330 Lunch The Summit gourmet lunch overlooking the South West Wilderness. 2019 Destination Mountain Biking Forum- Conference Program (subject to change) 7
Time- 1330-1415 Keynote 4- The changing face of bike retail Speaker- Robbie McNaughton Representing- Drift Bikes Abstract- Drift Bikes has been in establishment since 2003, during which time the store has seen a major shift in the retail environment. Drift bikes is now a vibrant, large-scale retail store, that also offers tours and a range of other services. Co- owner, Robbie McNaughton will be delivering on how to value add to your tours, market your business to your followers through the promotion of your tours and talk about the power of followers living vicariously through social media. Time- 1415- 1445 Workshop 2 Session 1 Workshop 2A- Successful MTB events from organiser and rider side Speakers- Duncan Giblin- Stormboy Events & South East MTB Association, Maydena Bike Park Events Team, professional race (rider TBC) Abstract- The mountain bike events landscape is changing; no longer can any organiser of a 100km cross country event expect a minimum of several hundred riders. Rider expectation is changing, and there is an increased focus on value beyond just the trails and racing. Join two leading event organisers and a professional rider (rider TBC) for a wide-ranging discussion on what makes a great. mountain bike event, and how events are more than just a one-time benefit for regional economies. Workshop 2B- Incident and crisis management- what to do in a worst-case scenario Speakers- Romany Brodribb- Timmins Ray PR, Simon French- Maydena Bike Park/Dirt Art Abstract- In even the most well planned, safe and approachable trail network, there is always the potential for a catastrophic rider injury. Simon brings valuable insight into managing incidents on the ground, while Romany brings a significant understanding of successfully managing the publicity fall out from serious injuries in a mountain bike setting. The session will provide an interactive discussion into how to manage worst case scenarios. 2019 Destination Mountain Biking Forum- Conference Program (subject to change) 8
Workshop 2C- Bike School mock lessons Speakers- Rhys Ellis- Maydena Bike Park Abstract- Join Maydena Bike Park Manager, Rhys Ellis for a ride through the park hosting a mock lesson/guiding session. The session will show how a ride guide/lesson works in a practical setting Time- 1445- 1515 Workshop 2 Session 2 Workshop 2A- Successful MTB events from organiser and rider side Speakers- Duncan Giblin- Stormboy Events & South East MTB Association, Maydena Bike Park Events Team, professional race (rider TBC) Abstract- The mountain bike events landscape is changing, no longer can any organiser of a 100km cross country event expect a minimum of several hundred riders. Rider expectation is changing, and there is an increased focus on value beyond just the trails and racing. Join two leading event organisers and a professional rider (rider TBC) for a wide-ranging discussion on what makes a great mountain bike event, and how events are more than just a one-time benefit for regional economies. Workshop 2B- Incident and crisis management- what to do in a worst case scenario Speakers- Romany Brodribb- Timmins Ray PR, Simon French- Maydena Bike Park/Dirt Art Abstract- In even the most well planned, safe and approachable trail network, there is always the potential for a catastrophic rider injury. Simon brings valuable insight into managing incidents on the ground, while Romany brings a significant understanding of successfully managing the publicity fall out from serious injuries in a mountain bike setting. The session will provide an interactive discussion into how to manage worst case scenarios. Workshop 2C- Bike School mock lessons Speakers- Rhys Ellis- Maydena Bike Park Abstract- Join Maydena Bike Park Manager, Rhys Ellis for a ride through the park hosting a mock lesson/guiding session. The session will show how a ride guide/lesson works in a practical setting 2019 Destination Mountain Biking Forum- Conference Program (subject to change) 9
Time- 1600- 1800 Guided or unguided bike park riding (uplift included). Time- 1900> Summit Dinner The Summit dinner. Dinner and beverages included. 2019 Destination Mountain Biking Forum- Conference Program (subject to change) 10
Conference Program - Day 3 2019 Destination Mountain Biking Forum- Conference Program (subject to change) 11
DAY TWO- February 15th 2019 Time- 0830- 0845 Welcome MC- Rhys Ellis Time- 0845- 0930 Keynote 5- Strength of Community in a Commercial Scene Speaker- Ronnie Baker Representing- Queenstown MTB Club Abstract- The mountain biking community in Queenstown is strong, and been fundamental in the development of Queenstown as one of the world’s leading mountain bike towns. Before commercial operators, and before trail networks, the community was coming together to get stuff done. As the mountain biking reputation and the trail networks have grown, the community has grown with it, which has brought along its own growing pains. The town is expanding, businesses have grown, population is growing at an alarming rate. What does this mean for the mountain biking community and the town as a MTB destination? How does this affect the strength of that community and how it influences the town? The Queenstown Mountain Bike Club is at the core of this community and we want to share our experiences, our challenges and successes. Time- 0930- 1015 Keynote 6- The Bike Park Wales Story Speaker- Rowan Sorrell Representing- Bike Park Wales Abstract- BikePark Wales was born from a passion to create the best mountain bike facility in the UK, the UK's first full scale bike park to rival the best in the World. The BikePark Wales team have slaved day and night for 5 years to create this incredible facility. BikePark Wales is built for riders, by riders. BPW blazed the way for a new era of uplift bike parks, setting a standard to which bike parks around the world now strive. Rowan will tell the BPW story, including the challenges and successes the park has seen across the past five years of operation. 2019 Destination Mountain Biking Forum- Conference Program (subject to change) 12
Time- 1015- 1045 Morning Team at The Summit Time- 1045- 1115 Keynote 7- The Australian Mountain Bike Market Speaker- Simon French Representing- Maydena Bike Park, Dirt Art Summary- Every two years, Dirt Art completes a national mountain bike market profile survey, providing valuable data to all areas of the industry. In 2018, the survey is in its third rendition, providing data across a 6-year period. Join Dirt Art’s Simon French for a summary and analysis of the 2018 survey data. Simon will provide a critical analysis of the data, exploring key market changes and trends, helping attendees understand the key markets in the industry, and how they can be targeted in destination design, development and marketing. Time- 1115- 1145 Workshop 3 Session 1 Workshop 3A- Trail master planning for success Speakers- Simon French- Maydena Bike Park, David Willcox- Common Ground, Robert Potter- Dirt Art Summary- As mountain bike destinations continue to be developed across Australia, is there a risk of over saturating the market? How do new players establish their unique strengths and point-of-difference? Explore these questions and more with a panel of Australia’s most experienced trail planners. Workshop 3B- Managing land manager relationships Speakers- Chris Colley- Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife Service, Liam Hooper- Maydena Bike Park Summary- The vast majority of destination mountain bike trail development in Australia occurs on land managed by state Parks and Wildlife Services, yet the majority of these agencies are not the primary driver of this development. With this in mind, building long term, sustainable relationships with park’s agencies is fundamental to the future success of mountain bike development in Australia. 2019 Destination Mountain Biking Forum- Conference Program (subject to change) 13
Parks Tasmania Regional Manager, Chris Colley and Maydena Bike Park COO, Liam Hooper will lead an interactive discussion on land manager relationship management in a real-world context. Workshop 3C- Developing effective signage systems (outdoor workshop) Speakers- Rhys Ellis- Maydena Bike Park, Jason Lam- Dirt Art Summary- Effective signage allows trail networks to function effectively and safely trail users rely on effective signage. A comprehensive signage system is fundamentally important to a trail destinations success. Join Maydena Bike Park’s Rhys Ellis, for a practical overview of the MBP signage system in practice. Time- 1145- 1215 Workshop 3 Session 2 Workshop 3A- Trail master planning for success Speakers- Simon French- Maydena Bike Park, David Willcox- Common Ground, Robert Potter- Dirt Art Summary- As mountain bike destinations continue to be developed across Australia, is there a risk of over saturating the market? How do new players establish their unique strengths and point-of-difference? Explore these questions and more with a panel of Australia’s most experienced trail planners. Workshop 3B- Managing land manager relationships Speakers- Chris Colley- Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife Service, Liam Hooper- Maydena Bike Park Summary- The vast majority of destination mountain bike trail development in Australia occurs on land managed by state Parks and Wildlife Services, yet the majority of these agencies are not the primary driver of this development. With this in mind, building long term, sustainable relationships with park’s agencies is fundamental to the future success of mountain bike development in Australia. Parks Tasmania Regional Manager, Chris Colley and Maydena Bike Park COO, Liam Hooper will lead an interactive discussion on land manager relationship management in a real-world context. Workshop 3C- Developing effective signage systems (outdoor workshop) Speakers- Rhys Ellis- Maydena Bike Park, Jason Lam- Dirt Art 2019 Destination Mountain Biking Forum- Conference Program (subject to change) 14
Summary- Effective signage allows trail networks to function effectively and safely trail users rely on effective signage. A comprehensive signage system is fundamentally important to a trail destinations success. Join Maydena Bike Park’s Rhys Ellis, for a practical overview of the MBP signage system in practice. Time- 1230-1330 Lunch The Summit gourmet lunch overlooking the South West Wilderness. Time- 1330 - 1400 Keynote 7- TBC Time- 1400- 1445 Panel Session Panel Discussion Join five of our key speakers as they take on an open panel discussion, focusing on five discussion points that will emerge across the two days of the conference. Discussion points may include topics such as E bikes and their influence on destination development. Time- 1445-1500 Closing Remarks MC- Rhys Ellis, CEO- Simon French Time- 1600- 1800 Guided or unguided bike park riding (uplift included). 2019 Destination Mountain Biking Forum- Conference Program (subject to change) 15
Speaker Bios 2019 Destination Mountain Biking Forum- Conference Program (subject to change) 16
Speaker Bios Speaker- Phil Boorman Representing- New Zealand Mountain Biking Bio- Phil Boorman has spent almost the entirety of his working life in the adventure tourism industry. He is the founder of numerous adventure travel companies around the world (including NZ Mountain Biking) and also works with other travel industry providers to enhance their customer experience offerings. Speaker- Rowan Sorrell & Martin Astley Representing- Bike Park Wales Bio- Rowan has been involved in the UK and European trail development industry for over 15 years. Rowan founded Back on Track, one of Europe’s largest trail firms, before going on to play a founding role in Bile Park Wales (BPW). BPW blazed the way for large scale, year-round commercial bike parks serviced by a vehicle uplift, and set a new standard for UK bike parks. Speaker- Simon French Representing- Maydena Bike Park, Dirt Art Bio- Simon has been involved in the mountain bike industry for over 20 years, working across tourism, retail, events and trail development. Simon founded Dirt Art in 2008, which has grown into one of Australia’s largest and most prolific trail developers, developing thousands of kilometres of trails for government and private clients. Chasing the dream of building his own commercial bike park, in 2015 Simon begun work on the Maydena Bike Park Project, which opened in January 2018. Simon has since developed a range of entities to allow him to pursue further in-house commercial bike park development, and to invest and manage other commercial bike park projects. Speakers- Chris Southwood and Mick Ross Representing- Flow Mountain Bike Bio- Chris has been involved in the Australian mountain bike media industry for many years, more recently founding the Flow Mountain Bike Company with Mick Ross. Flow has gone on to re-shape the Australian media landscape, particularly in the area of destination marketing. Chris brings unique insights into promoting and marketing mountain bike destinations and experiences. Speaker- Robbie McNaughton Representing- Drift Bikes Bio- Robbie started out in the mountain bike industry as a retail assistant in ‘98. He went on to produce and distribute downhill mountain bike films in 2001, and 2019 Destination Mountain Biking Forum- Conference Program (subject to change) 17
opened a mountain bike store, Drift Bikes, in 2003. The retail store was founded on a get out and ride philosophy with a heavy investment in digital marketing in conjunction with his original business partner, Josh Stephenson. The store has recently undergone a change of ownership, with Robbie partnering with surfing retailer Rhys Smith from Sanbah Surf. This new stage of development as one of the largest retail bike stores in the country has moved its focus to a multi brand platform including Specialized, Trek, Santa Cruz, Yeti and BMC to name a few, with a fashion and lifestyle element previously not on offer from the old business model. A renewed focus on cycling tours, and a goal to introduce a cycling school in the new year, 2019 will be a sweet 16 for Drift Bikes and one that Robbie is very excited about. Speaker- Ronnie Baker Representing- Queenstown MTB Club Bio- TBC Speaker- Duncan Giblin Representing- Storm Boy Promotions and the South East MTB Association Bio- As the Director of Storm Bay Promotions Duncan has been involved in running MTB events since 2007. The organisations flagship event is the Hellfire Cup, a multi-day stage race that attracts 50-60% attendees from interstate and overseas. Duncan has also co-managed a range of Tasmanian multi-sport events. As Chair of the South East Mountain Bike Association Duncan is coordinating the South Eastern MTB plan for the South Eastern Tasmanian Councils. Speaker- Dave Willcox Representing- Common Ground Trails Bio- Wearer of many hats, David Willcox has a broad and somewhat abnormal background in marketing, design, planning, development and tourism. Since finishing his degree he has sometimes dabbled and sometimes excelled in the Web Development, Graphic Design, Film, Fashion, Architecture and Trails industries. Usually learning through osmosis, and typically by surrounding himself with people more smarterer than himself, he has played a vital role in major tourism, commercial and public developments all over the state. David has sat on every perceivable three-dimensional side of the Mountain Bike trails fence including as consumer, volunteer, designer, developer and committee member. In reality, no one really knows what this guy does, but he always seems busy. Speaker- Buck Gibson Representing- Vertigo MTB Blue Derby Bio- Buck is recognised in the industry as the unofficial mayor of Blue Derby, and has played an instrumental role in the ongoing success of the town. Buck founded 2019 Destination Mountain Biking Forum- Conference Program (subject to change) 18
Vertigo as a mountain bike tour company, which initially focused on remote back country tours on Tasmania’s West Coast. Buck was one of the early drivers of the North East MTB Project, which went on to become Blue Derby, playing a powerful advocacy role for the project. Vertigo is now a multi-faceted business, which is widely-recognised as Derby’s premier supplier of uplift and related services. Speaker- Rob Potter Representing- Dirt Art Bio- Perhaps most widely-recognised for his role in the successful Ford Ranger marketing campaign, Rob is also an accomplished rider, trail designer, developer and passionate advocate for Tasmania as a world-leading trail destination. Rob has over 20 years trail design and development experience, along with significant experience in bike retail and tourism. Speaker- Rhys Ellis Representing- Maydena Bike Park Bio- Rhys is widely recognised as the face of Maydena Bike Park; holding the role of Bike Park Manager, Rhys manages the day to day operations of the park. Rhys is an accomplished rider and racer, who has a long career as a PMBI mountain bike instructor and manager of junior development race programs. Of Canadian origins, Rhys brings valuable insights from his mountain bike exploits across the globe (along with a questionable taste in country music). Speaker- Liam Hooper Representing- Dirt Art, Maydena Bike Park Bio- Liam has an extensive background in project management, business development, tourism and hospitality and business management; and currently acts as the joint COO of Maydena Bike Park and Dirt Art. A passionate rider and advocate for the sport, Liam has a unique skillset, combining business with trail and destination development and management. Speaker- Romany Brodribb Representing- Timmins Ray PR Bio- TBC Speaker- RDA Tasmania Representing- RDA Tasmania Bio- TBC Speaker- Chris Colley Representing- Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife Service Bio- TBC 2019 Destination Mountain Biking Forum- Conference Program (subject to change) 19
Please note- conference program is subject to change. 2019 Destination Mountain Biking Forum- Conference Program (subject to change) 20
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