Geoff is a career hotelier.  In mid-2017 he was a founding member of Crystalbrook Collection Hotels & Resorts, a multi award-winning hotel development and management company, with Australia's newest portfolio of distinctive upscale & sustainability focussed hotels.  Geoff was initially engaged as Group Director-Hotels before being appointed Chief Executive Officer in early 2019.

Originally from Melbourne, where he completed a Degree in Bachelor of Business majoring in Catering & Hotel Management, Geoff plays a key role driving the development of the Crystalbrook Collection.  There are now seven Crystalbrook hotels to date, close to 900 team members and a billion dollars of assets.  He is also responsible for future acquisitions, (a second Sydney hotel was announced in December 2022), the strategic growth plan and direction of the Group, as well as elevating Crystalbrook’s dedication to sustainability, under the ethos of Responsible Luxury.

Prior to Crystalbrook Collection, Geoff held key leadership positions in General Manager, Regional and corporate roles throughout Asia Pacific, originally with the Southern Pacific group and then Accor, Hilton International and Event Hospitality & Entertainment.  In 2012 he was recognised at the HM Awards for Excellence as General Manager of the Year Australia.

During his 38 year career he has held various hospitality related board positions and continues to be an advocate for the industry in its post COVID recovery.

A dynamic and strategic leader with experience as an Executive and Non-Executive Director. A skilled communicator with a background in media, communications, government relations, public policy and corporate affairs. A history of working in the transport, infrastructure, tourism, travel, aviation, automotive and education sectors.

James joined Accommodation Australia as their new CEO in September 2024 and looks forward to nurturing and building on the strong relationships already created with key stakeholders, both in government and accommodation industry leaders. 

Prior to his role with the AA, Mr Goodwin was the CEO of the Australian Airports Association (AAA) for more than four years and before that was Chief Executive of Australia’s leading vehicle safety advocate, the ANCAP Safety from 2015 to 2020.  James has held senior government relations, communications and stakeholder relations roles at industry associations and government agencies following a career as a journalist, including in the Federal Parliamentary Press Gallery.

He has served on a number of Boards and is currently Chair of St John Ambulance ACT and a Board Director with the Canberra Institute of Technology (CIT) Solutions.

Jason Nuell is the Area Vice President, Australia, New Zealand and Pacific for Marriott International. He leads the area’s porftfolio of 46 hotels and resorts, with more than 20 properties in the pipeline.

Prior to this role, Nuell was the Global Senior Vice President of Premium Brands at Marriott International where he lead Marriott Hotels, Sheraton Hotels & Resorts, Delta Hotels by Marriott, Renaissance Hotels, Le Méridien Hotels & Resorts, Westin Hotels & Resorts, Autograph Collection Hotels, Tribute Portfolio and Apartments by Marriott Bonvoy™. There Jason was instrumental in the development of new brands such as Moxy and AC Hotels, we well as the global transformation of the Sheraton brand.

With an impressive career in Marriott International spanning over more than 20 years, Nuell also served as Area Vice President, US Eastern Region, Select Brands for the managed portfolio, which represents a significant portion of the company’s sales and profit.

Throughout his career, Jason has worked across 21 hotel brands and spearheaded a wide variety of complex, brand and organization-wide initiatives and strategies, including the post-Starwood merger revitalization of Element Hotels and Aloft Hotels. Through this experience, Jason has developed a deep passion for developing a wide range of guest experiences.

A natural leader, Jason has played a key role in developing new operating standards, ensuring food and beverage excellence, and strengthening overall brand performance. Additionally, during his tenure at Marriott International, Jason also held the role of Vice President of Brand Operations, Design & Development, Distinctive Brands across the premium and select segment.

Born in Sydney, Australia Nuell started out in Marriott International’s Queensland properties in Food and Beverage roles and GM roles before moving around the globe taking up leadership positions in India, China, and Europe, with a decade long tenure at Marriott headquarters in Bethesda. After many years abroad, Nuell now resides back in his home country of Australia with his wife and children.

Nuell will lead Marriott International in ANZP in delivering the company’s ‘People First’ culture across their teams, the owner community, and stakeholders. “We want our people to be inspired by what’s possible and discover their own future, and there’s no better example of this than my own personal journey with Marriott” says Jason Nuell.  “My career with Marriott over 20 years has seen me grow my skills and venture into new disciplines. I’ve moved around the world, learning and carving out a career path that has now led me back home to Australia”, says Jason Nuell.

Andrew Cairns is the Executive General Manager – Crown Hotels Perth and has been in this role since June 2015. He made the transition to Perth from Melbourne, where he held the role of General Manager – Crown Towers Melbourne for the prior seven years.

As part of the Executive team for Crown Perth, he has responsibility for the operational and strategic planning of the Crown Perth Hotels portfolio, comprising Crown Towers Perth, Crown Metropol Perth and Crown Promenade, as well as collaborating across the Crown Resorts national hospitality structure.

Andrew has over twenty-five years’ experience, both domestically and internationally, with a lifelong passion for the tourism and hospitality industry.

Throughout his career, he has gained an extensive knowledge of operational, personnel and marketing strategies to ensure the success and effectiveness of various business entities. In his executive capacity, he has worked collaboratively to develop company brand values to enhance the guest and employee experience and drive positive business returns.

Andrew holds the board position of Accommodation Division President for the AHA WA, as well as Board Director for Business Events Perth.

Wayne Taranto was appointed as Chief Operating Officer for Ovolo Group in Australia in early 2023 and has been with the company for three years. Based in Sydney, Wayne is responsible for all Operations for the Australia Hotels. With over 30 years’ experience as a respected leader in the vibrant Australian hospitality industry.

Wayne’s areas of expertise are in the inception and execution of luxury brand operations and innovative culinary & beverage conceptual development and delivery, extremely valuable as Ovolo expands in Australia. With proven success in the strategic roll out of past brands, his ability to foster a thriving team environment with a focus on pride, consistency and attention to detail is welcome, cementing the growth and success of this award-winning collection.

“With a diverse portfolio of venues, restaurants, bars, hotels, and entertainment precincts in multiple countries, I’m excited to bring my unique approach to guest experiences and  service to Ovolo. The group shows no sign of slowing down and I’m confident that my passion for exemplary presentation, service and consistency, will keep us on the front foot,” say Wayne. “Ovolo have been acknowledged in the industry as leaders, most recently receiving the accolade Hotel Brand of the Year at the 2022 HM Awards. I’m thrilled to be leading the Australian operations during the next phase of our growth strategy.’’ 

With an extensive background in hospitality, Wayne honed his skills at Event Hospitality & Entertainment operating Rydges Hotels & Resorts’ Australian east coast properties. He furthered his hotel expertise as Food & Beverage Director and Brand Operations Manager for Pullman with Accor Hotels, whilst managing hotels in the Sydney Olympic Park precinct, Circular Quay and Sydney’s first five-star hotel, The Sofitel Wentworth. Wayne then joined Crown Group to lead the hotel division, where he established SKYE Hotel
& Suites. Prior to joining Ovolo Group, Wayne was CEO of d’Albora managing seven Marinas on the east coast of Australia with extensive retail and food & beverage operations.

“To have a Rockstar like Wayne lead Ovolo in Australia during a period of expansion and change will help lift what is already an award-winning hotel group to the next level,” said Dave Baswal, CEO Ovolo Group Australia. “Alongside our current team Wayne will bring a new dimension and assist in ensuring Ovolo continues to deliver pride in doing things the right way and connecting with our guest emotionally through design, art, music and exceptional yet personal service.”

Joanna is a visionary, high calibre, hands on and energetic Hotel General Manager with a career hallmarked by over 33 years of international experience spanning across Australia and Europe. After 14 years in London in a variety of roles including Sales & Marketing and General Manager appointments, Joanna returned to her home town of Sydney, Australia in 2016.

Currently Joanna is Area General Manager NSW for EVT Hotels & Resorts and the General Manager at Rydges Sydney Airport, Australia’s most booked hotel where she has held this role for the last 8 years.  

EVT Entertainment, Ventures, Travel is an ASX Top 200 company with over 9000 employees catering to all segments from luxury to budget, throughout a portfolio of over 85+ owned and managed hotels throughout Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and Fiji. Hotel brands include QT Hotels & Resorts, Rydges Hotels & Resorts, Independent Collection, Atura Hotels and LyLo. 

Joanna is a member of Accommodation Australia, SKAL Sydney South and SALA.

Her industry recognition has included:
Winner: 2024 AHA National Awards for Excellence- Employee Excellence in Service Accommodation Division
Winner: 2024 AA NSW Awards for Excellence - Executive of the Year
Highly Commended 2003 NSW Accommodation Awards- Hotel Executive of the Year
Nominee: UK Qantas Australian Business Woman of the Year 2008
Multiple EVT Hotel Property Awards for performance and service