The Tourism Chat Show

What’s changing in tourism right now, and what should operators actually be paying attention to?

In this episode of the Tourism Chat Show, Michelle looks at five trends that have stood out over the past few weeks, including Australia’s strong outbound travel market, the continued importance of travel trade, AI moving closer to the booking stage, the rise of event-led travel, and the changing definition of premium experi...

In this episode of The Tourism Chat Show, Michelle chats with Aimee Pitcher from Cape Sanctuary, a remarkable 2,500-hectare private conservation project on the Cape Kidnappers Peninsula in Hawke’s Bay.

Aimee shares the story behind Cape Sanctuary’s 20-year restoration journey, from the 10.5km predator-proof fence to the return of 23 locally extinct species, more than one million native trees planted, and the extraordina...

In this final TRENZ Unpacked episode, Michelle sits down with Rebecca Ingram, Chief Executive of Tourism Industry Aotearoa, for an inside look at what’s shaping TRENZ 2026.

With the event returning to Auckland for the first time in a decade, Bex shares how this year’s theme Whakapiki – Elevating Aotearoa New Zealand Tourism to the World is being brought to life through new initiatives, global insights, and a stron...

In this episode of The Tourism Chat Show – TRENZ Unpacked, Michelle sits down with Karen Thompson-Smith, Head of Tourism at Tātaki Auckland Unlimited, to explore why Auckland is stepping confidently back into the spotlight ahead of TRENZ 2026.

With major infrastructure projects nearing completion, new hotel investment across the city, and the long-awaited opening of the New Zealand International Convention Centre (NZICC), Auc...

In this TRENZ Unpacked episode, Michelle catches up with Nic Mead from Auckland Sea Kayaks ahead of his first-ever TRENZ - and what it’s taken to get there.

Starting a business from his garage and growing it into one of Auckland’s most respected marine tourism operators, Nic shares the journey behind Auckland Sea Kayaks and the deep connection to place that sits at the heart of their experiences across the Hauraki Gulf....

Food is no longer just something visitors enjoy while they’re here -  it’s increasingly the reason they choose a destination in the first place.

In this episode of TRENZ Unpacked, Michelle catches up with Elle Armon-Jones from The Big Foody, who has spent the past 15 years introducing visitors to New Zealand through curated culinary experiences across Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin and cruise ports aro...

In this episode of TRENZ Unpacked, Michelle chats with Sarah Johnson from Paper Ink and Passports Travel, a US-based Virtuoso travel advisor who specialises in high-end, experience-led itineraries for curious and well-travelled clients.

Sarah shares what luxury travel really means in 2026 - and why it’s less about thread counts and more about access, uniqueness, and trusted relationships. She explains how advisors work with D...

In this TRENZ Unpacked episode, Michelle chats with Ajay Vagha from APT Travel Group - a long-time group touring specialist with deep roots in New Zealand (APT’s first international destination). Ajay shares why scheduled group touring is enjoying a real resurgence, with travellers valuing the comfort, security and simplicity of having everything taken care of - from airport transfers to luggage handling, priority access, and...

In this TRENZ Unpacked episode, Michelle is joined by Geraldine “G” McMillan, Western Markets Sales Manager at RealNZ, to unpack what really drives results at TRENZ.

Responsible for revenue across the UK, Europe, USA, Canada and Mexico, G shares an inside look at how one of New Zealand’s largest tourism operators approaches the biggest onshore trade show of the year — and why the real value of TRENZ extends ...

In this episode, Michelle sits down with Paul Button, General Manager of Rotorua Canopy Tours, to unpack one of New Zealand’s most remarkable tourism success stories.

From his early days as a whitewater raft guide chasing winters and summers around the globe, to leading one of New Zealand’s most awarded visitor experiences, Paul shares his journey into tourism leadership and the culture that drives Rotorua Canopy Tours.

In the first TRENZ Unpacked episode for 2026, Michelle Caldwell is joined by industry stalwart Michel Adolphe, Chief Commercial Officer at Hind Management (home of the Sudima Hotel Group).

With more than two decades of TRENZ under his belt, Michel shares a refreshingly honest look at how the event has evolved - and why its core purpose hasn’t changed. From handwritten appointment requests and queueing at buyer booths, to toda...

Welcome Back!

In this episode, Michelle catches up with Tony Laskey, Executive Director of ServiceIQ, to talk about the state of the tourism and hospitality workforce and why investing in people has never been more important.

Tony breaks down what ServiceIQ actually does in plain English, how on-the-job training works, and why it’s designed to fit real workplaces without pulling staff off the floor. They explore practical tra...

In the final episode of our TRENZ Unpacked series prior to the big event, Michelle chats with Rebecca Ingram, Chief Executive of Tourism Industry Aotearoa (TIA), just weeks out from TRENZ 2025.

Together, they dive into:

What’s New at TRENZ 2025 More informal networking time, a refreshed welcome function, a rejigged TRENZ Talks format, and better flow across the full event programme based on industry feedback.

Behind the Scene...

In this episode of The Tourism Chat Show, Michelle sits down with RotoruaNZ’s Lou Baddeley to unpack one of the most underrated – yet crucial – parts of the TRENZ experience: networking.

Whether you're a natural connector or someone who dreads striking up a conversation in a coffee queue, this episode is packed with practical tips to help you build relationships, spark opportunity, and turn casual chats into long-...

In this special episode of The Tourism Chat Show, Michelle chats with Andrew Wilson, Chief Executive of RotoruaNZ, to unpack everything Rotorua has planned for TRENZ 2025 – and let’s just say, it's shaping up to be something pretty special.

Highlights include:

• Appointment Schedules Now Live: Get across the new Trends Connect features – including a full list of missed appointment requests and mutual time slot...

Breaking Barriers: Women in Tourism Leadership & the Career Accelerator

Episode Summary: In this episode, Michelle is joined by three incredible wahine toa who are making waves in the tourism and leadership space: Alex Dykman from Grow Tourism, and Kristen Lunman and Natalie Ferguson from PowrSuit. They discuss the challenges and opportunities for women in tourism, the gender leadership gap, and why now is the time to take acti...

In this special bonus episode, we celebrate International Women’s Day with Kerry Walker, CEO of Southern Discoveries. Kerry shares her journey in tourism, from starting as a hotel receptionist in Taupō to leading one of New Zealand’s top tourism businesses. She reflects on the challenges women face in leadership, including gender bias, imposter syndrome, and the importance of resilience and continuous learning.

We discu...

Kia ora and welcome back to The Tourism Chat Show! In this TRENZ Unpacked episode, host Michelle Caldwell shares her expert tips on how to maximise your appointment streams at TRENZ 2025. If you've ever felt like you were winging it at TRENZ, running from meeting to meeting without a clear strategy—this episode is for you! Michelle breaks down how to define your key markets, research buyers, and turn that knowledge into an ef...