People from a variety of sectors and across the state came together in Campbelltown to discuss how to plan and prepare for Tasmania’s future. 

The theme of the conference was inspiration, innovation and implementation and focused on the key areas of opportunity in Tasmania; tourism, environment, health and agriculture. 

Speakers challenged conference delegates to think bigger and broader and to embrace change. People were also encouraged to see the flip side of challenges and use them to make change. “I think Tassie’s got a number of amazing opportunities. Yeah sure there are challenges, but challenge is also another word for opportunity,” Conference Convenor Gregoria Taylor said.

Ms Taylor said the community is key to planning as the people are what give Tasmania its vibrancy and character. It is in this character that some of the state's greatest opportunities lie. “Look and think about the opportunities that are actually available, don’t copy what’s happened elsewhere in other states, embrace our actual point of difference and actually use that to our advantage.”

The conference highlighted the strong brand of Tasmania. “The Tasmanian brand is extremely valuable and we shouldn't ignore it, we shouldn’t be scared of going directly to market, and selling that to people that are either coming here or visiting,” Ms Taylor said.

She said the conference was a success. “People were left somewhat inspired and open to innovation and willing to collaborate with the view to delivering and implementing better initiatives.”