ATIA Team at the Women in Travel Summit 2023
ATIA Team at the National Travel Industry Awards 2023
Dean is an inclusive leader deeply passionate about the Australian travel industry. As the Chief Executive of the Australian Travel Industry Association, he represents all travel businesses, regardless of their size or segment, in Canberra, across Australia, and around the globe.
Globally, Dean is a Director and Treasurer of the World Travel Agents Association Alliance, advocating for improvements to the airline financial settlement. Over the last twenty years, Dean has served as the CEO and Executive Director of the Australian Accommodation Association and in other roles across the political and public service arms of Government. Dean has also held positions at American Express and the University of Western Sydney where his collaborative mindset improved each organisation and their understanding of key strategic interactions with community and Government.
Under Dean’s leadership, the Australian Travel Industry Association has seen significant growth and influence. His efforts have elevated the Association from the AFTA to ATIA, providing a strong voice for travel agents, tour operators, and wholesalers. His championing of policies that promote fair competition, growth, and innovation has greatly benefited the members of the Association and the Australian travel community.
Dean holds a Bachelor of Applied Science, Environmental Management and Tourism from Western Sydney University and a Masters of Management from the University of Technology Sydney
Personally, Dean is a husband to Melissa and a father to Henry. He enjoys the challenge of new technology and is always up for a chat on politics, test cricket, or his beloved NFL team, the Greenbay Packers.
LJ Loch has worked in and around travel for over two decades helping high profile brands, travel businesses and agencies as well as representing Travel’s peak industry body.
She brings an extensive network of media and government contacts and has played a key role in advocating for our members and raising the profile of Travel. She is one of the region’s leading reputational strategists, is a registered lobbyist with a longstanding track record in advocacy and has her own reputation management business Alpha Consult which works across several sectors.
LJ holds a Masters of Commerce/Law and a Bachelor of BusComm(Journalism) and is a Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. She is a Director of Marrickville Legal Centre and The Funding Network. She is a former journalist, ministerial staffer, and corporate adviser. LJ is a passionate advocate of Travel and all those who work so very hard in it.
Richard joined ATIAin January 2023, after almost three years supporting the travel industry by providing more than 250 webinars and other free events that played a significant role in keeping the industry informed and connected during its most challenging period in history.
This led to the 2023 launch of ‘Offloaded’, an industry discussion podcast co-hosted by Ann-Catherine Jones.
Prior to this Richard’s travel career began in the IT department at Galileo (now Travelport) in the UK before moving to Australia in 2004, where he rejoined the company serving more than 10 years in account management and business development roles. At ATIA, Richard’s primary role is to ensure that the association is connected with its members, and that membership offerings reflect the needs of the changing face of the industry and its people.
Ingrid is a highly qualified and experienced public policy professional with strong expertise in a number of sectors including Travel and Tourism.
She brings an extensive track record in successful policy development, advocacy, government relations and stakeholder engagement.
In her previous role as Associate Director - Workforce & Tourism Policy at the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI), Ingrid’s portfolio covered tourism, migration, employment, and workforce participation.
Ingrid’s multi-discipline background also includes her experience as a lawyer as well as in industry associations and the public sector.
Ingrid has represented Associations on a number of federal advisory bodies, including the Collaborative Partnership on Mature Age Employment, the Disability Employment Services Reference Group, the Modern Slavery Expert Advisory Group, as well as the Ministerial Advisory Council on Skilled Migration and Respect@Work Council.
Ingrid holds a Bachelor of Laws, Bachelor of International Relations and a Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice.
As a result of 17 years' experience in the travel industry in a broad range of roles, I have a deep understanding and passion for our industry.
I am incredibly proud to represent ATIA& administer Australia's National Accreditation Scheme - ATAS.
The ATAS scheme enhances the professionalism of our industry and heightens consumer confidence in the travel sector.
I am dedicated to working alongside our members to ensure they are operating their businesses at an elevated level and providing consumers with service excellence.
Jenny is an events and membership professional who is always seeking new ways to produce and manage events that drive member engagement.
Jenny commenced her professional career as a graduate at the Accommodation Association and then undertook the role of event coordinator at the Mortgage and Finance Association Australia just after the Hayne Royal Commission. She then returned to the Accommodation Association as the National Manager Events & Member Services just prior to the pandemic.
In March 2022, Jenny joined ATIAas the National Manager Events & Corporate Partnerships. She is responsibile for the planning and management of the National Travel Industry Awards (NTIA) Awards Program & Gala Dinner, and overseeing the Corporate Partner Program.
With her background in industry assocations, Jenny has seen first hand the power of events in bringing together industry professionals, facilitating networking and educational opportunities, and enhancing the industry as a whole.
Jenny graduated with a Bachelor of Management in Events and Leisure from the University Technology of Sydney in 2015.
Having had the opportunity to live and travel overseas from a young age, the travel industry was a natural fit when I finally settled in Australia.
I worked for 15 years as a retail consultant with well-respected agencies in three states, the majority of these as a specialist cruise consultant, as my time working onboard ships has left me with a great passion for all things that float. When the opportunity arose for me to take a step back from consulting while still supporting the industry I love, I moved into the role of membership manager, first with the Cruise Industry Association and then with ATIA where I’ve been for the past 6 years.
Having been on “the other side of the desk”, I have a deep understanding of the issues facing our members on a daily basis and am proud to be a part of the ATIA team whose purpose is to advocate for, support and uphold the standards of the travel industry in Australia.
My employment with ATIA has taken me on a wonderful voyage spanning over 30 years. I have been lucky to work with some amazing people along the way and very grateful to have been given the opportunity to work flexible hours whilst balancing work and family commitments.
My roles have varied over the years but have always worked closely with our members. The induction of ATAS was the biggest change I have encountered during my time at ATIA. I supported management to assist bringing this major project into fruition and am proud to still be here to see it become a success. I remain and continue to remain close to our members providing assistance with anything membership related or even just having a chat which brought us close especially during the pandemic. We mutually kept each other sane.
Another major part of my role is to work with consumers and travel businesses regarding customer disputes. Using our ATAS Code of Conduct and our 3 Step Dispute Resolution process, I work with the parties towards amicable outcomes for both the travel business and the consumer.
