About Women In Tourism Gold Coast

Our Story

Founded in 1987, Women in Tourism Gold Coast is one of the key networking groups on the Gold Coast for tourism professionals. Our events are educational, inspirational, and most importantly, fun! We started out as the Gold Coast Women's Australian Travel League for women who worked in the travel industry however, in 2002, reflecting the changing times and to be able to open up membership to a larger audience, Women in Tourism (Gold Coast) Inc was born.

Through our events, we aim to showcase the amazing products and services the Gold Coast has to offer, as well as encourage, motivate, and support women across the sector.

Our committee is formed by passionate volunteers whose aim is to create a welcoming environment for our guests, as well as give back to the Gold Coast community through funds raised with raffle sales.

Whether you work for a multinational hotel group or own a small business, rest assured you will create long lasting relationships through our community.

Our Mission

Women in Tourism mission is to provide the following for its members:

To create more meaningful networking opportunities for women in the tourism industry on the Gold Coast.
To provide world-class events that educate and inspire our members.
To provide Guest speakers at our events that share the latest news, trends and research that is happening and relevant to our members and industry.
To host events at a variety of Gold Coast venues that showcase what is on offer on the Gold Coast.
To raise the profile of women in the tourism industry on the Gold Coast and see more women on the stage, sharing their stories.
To raise money for meaningful charities
To create opportunities for women to connect, help each other and establish lifelong friendships.
To support and mentor young women who want to enter and rise through the ranks of the tourism industry.

President's Message

What a remarkable journey the Gold Coast tourism scene has embarked on in 2025! It’s been a vibrant year already, bustling with iconic events, cultural festivals, and remarkable recoveries.

We started the year with the glamorous Magic Millions Carnival, captivating both locals and visitors with two exciting weeks of racing, polo, auctions, and VIP experiences that truly brought our summer to life.

In March, our city played host to the Gold Coast Art Festival at Southport Broadwater Parklands, showcasing works by 90 talented artists and drawing art lovers from near and far. April welcomed the much-loved Gold Coast Film Festival at HOTA—featuring film screenings, special guest panels, SIPFEST shorts, and workshops that continue to unite the filmmaking community.

Meanwhile, the Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show in May dazzled attendees with luxury marine exhibits, lifestyle displays, and live entertainment, reinforcing our city’s reputation as a destination for luxury experiences.

Sport also featured strongly: the World Surf League Championship Tour will return to Snapper Rocks from 2025 through 2028—an exciting boost for both surf culture and the local economy. Additionally, coming up in November, the 2025 Judo Oceania Open in Carrara will spotlight top-tier martial arts and international competition on our shores.

On the recovery front, our region continues to demonstrate resilience and renewal—especially Broadbeach, which is rapidly emerging as a refined, family-friendly alternative to Surfers Paradise. With 13 million visitors and $8.1 billion in visitor spend in 2024, the Gold Coast's tourism resurgence is in full swing.

Together, these events reflect the vibrancy, diversity, and strength of our tourism sector. I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished—and excited for what’s ahead. Thank you for continuing to champion and shape the future of Gold Coast tourism.

CASSIE SUTTON

WIT President 2025-26

Meet the Committee

We proudly introduce the Women in Tourism Gold Coast (WIT) Committee for the 2025-2026 term. Steering the helm of WIT's mission and vision is a group of dedicated, experienced professionals who are ready to bring innovation and enthusiasm to our community.

Together, our team is set to elevate Women in Tourism Gold Coast to new heights this next twelve months, fostering growth, connection, and empowerment.

We look forward to meeting you at an event soon, and please reach out to our team if you have any questions.

President

Cassie Sutton

Cassie is a seasoned professional in the tourism industry, with extensive experience spanning over many years across prestigious brands such as Marriott International, IHG and most recently Accor. Her career has seen her in various leadership roles across hotel operations and commercial strategy and is currently the Director of Sales & Marketing at Mercure Gold Coast Resort.

Events/ Charity Coordinator

Briony Cuskelly

Briony began her career in the events industry in 1996 with her first role at Sea World. Moving on to Jupiters Casino , following with an impressive 23 years at Gold Coast International Hotel which later became QT Gold Coast. Holding roles such as Banquet Manager, Event and Sales Manager. Most recently, she has taken on the role of Business Development Manager at Mercure Gold Coast. Briony is looking forward to bringing her creative flair for events to the WIT calendar.

Website and Sponsorships

Dani Olson

Dani is an experienced Agile specialist and digital project leader with a proven background in leading teams and delivering complex projects. She brings strong strategic and operational expertise to the Women in Tourism Gold Coast committee. As the founder of Vacaythis, a family travel brand creating innovative, learning-based experiences for parents and children, Dani blends her professional leadership with her passion for family tourism. She offers unique insights into digital innovation, leadership, and consumer engagement, and is committed to supporting women shaping the future of the tourism industry.

Secretary & General Committee

Emma Moad

Emma is an entrepreneur in the tourism, recreation and adventure industry. Starting her journey in 2015 co-founding South Australia's first escape room-bar concept, followed quickly by the launch of Australia's first interactive puzzle-based museum tour at the South Australia museum.Now, she is the co-founder of Firefly Zipline, specialising in large-scale zipline and adventure activations at major events in partnership with clients such as the AFL, City of Melbourne, and McDonald's. She also works with other female founders in tourism and sercive-based businesses as a strategic business and AI consultant. With a strong passion for supprting women in the tourism industry and recreation industry, Emma is looking forward to bringing her unique experience to the Gold Coast WIT Committee.

RSVP Coordinator

Pippa Jeffries

With over 15 years’ experience in marketing, communications, PR and events Pippa has built her career around showcasing destinations and experiences that connect people. She has worked across tourism, hospitality, lifestyle and not-for-profit sectors, with specialised knowledge of the Gold Coast and Northern Rivers. Passionate about creating strategies and content that bring places to life, she is dedicated to growing audiences and celebrating the unique character of each destination. When she’s not helping brands shine, you’ll find her trying the Coast’s newest cafes and bars, hitting a pilates class, or soaking up local festivals. Pippa is excited to rejoin the Women in Tourism committee to help champion the region and its vibrant tourism community.

Public Relations Coordinator/ Social Media

Eve Levis

With over two decades of experience across Fashion, Lifestyle, Luxury Automotive, & Event Strategy, Eve brings her dynamic presence & creative eye to every role she steps into.

A proud Gold Coast local & passionate advocate for authentic storytelling, Eve is known for her magnetic energy both in front of the camera & behind the scenes.

As the newly appointed PR & Social Media Coordinator for WITGC, she is excited to help amplify the voices of women across the region’s thriving tourism and lifestyle industries, celebrating connection, creativity, & community. Whether she’s hosting, judging Fashions on the Field, or creating compelling content, Eve infuses every project with heart, style & purpose.

Vice President

Melissa Hamilton

With over a decade of experience in events, communications and project management, Melissa has worked across both international and Australian organisations. She began her professional journey in Washington, D.C., working with policymakers and global leaders on Capitol Hill and at the Council on Foreign Relations, before moving to Australia in 2019 where she managed events and communications for SkyPoint. Melissa is now a Principal Consultant for Sustainable Meetings and Events at EarthCheck, where she helps destinations and organisations design events that deliver positive outcomes for both people and the planet. When she’s not at work, she enjoys playing beach volleyball, hiking, travelling, and trying to keep her house plants alive.

Treasurer

Samantha Oliver

Learn more about Samantha soon!