Southern Yarns Networking Events
Connecting Tourism Operators & Industry Leaders Across Southern NSW
Southern Yarns is a series of informal tourism industry networking events hosted by Destination Southern NSW (DSNSW), held to provide a unique opportunity for tourism and hospitality operators, industry association members, local councils, and anyone interested in the visitor economy to connect, share insights, and explore opportunities.
Each Southern Yarns event is designed to foster industry collaboration, highlight key projects, address regional challenges and explore opportunities. Operators and stakeholders can engage directly with the DSNSW board and team, hear about industry trends, and establish valuable connections within the tourism sector.
What to Expect at Southern Yarns
- Industry Insights & Updates: Stay informed on the latest tourism trends, funding opportunities, and regional developments.
- Networking & Collaboration: Connect with tourism operators, local businesses, and industry professionals in an informal setting.
- Discuss Challenges & Opportunities: Share your experiences and ideas to help shape the future of tourism in Southern NSW.
- No RSVP is required: Drop in at your convenience and enjoy light refreshments while engaging in valuable discussions.
Why Attend?
Southern Yarns provides a platform for industry growth by encouraging open dialogue, collaboration, and knowledge-sharing among tourism stakeholders. Whether you’re an established operator or exploring new opportunities in tourism, these events offer a valuable space to gain insights and connect with like-minded professionals.
Recent & Upcoming Events
Upcoming Events:
Crookwell | Ensemble & Co | 10 April 2025
Event Details: Drop in anytime between 4:30 pm and 6:30 pm.
Past Events
Jindabyne | Banjo Paterson Inn | 6 February 2025
- Key Challenges: Retaining staff, high cost of living, maintaining year-round visitation, and event sustainability. Thredbo’s pricing structure is discouraging domestic visitors.
- Key Opportunities: Strengthening collaborations, industry training through TAFE, local and regional business connections, and improved advertising strategies.
Braidwood | Troopers Rest | 11 December 2024
- Key Challenges: Poor road conditions, lack of grant awareness, and excessive regulatory requirements for tourism development.
- Key Opportunities: Exploring tiny home accommodation options for agritourism, advocating for streamlined grant application processes, and encouraging Australian-based booking platforms.
Tathra | Tathra Hotel | 23 October 2024
- Key Challenges: Ensuring sustainability of small tourism operators, balancing visitor growth with community needs, and limited access to grant opportunities.
- Key Opportunities: Strengthening coastal tourism strategies, developing sustainability-focused visitor experiences, and promoting eco-tourism initiatives.
Goulburn | Tattersalls Hotel | 27 June 2024
- Key Challenges: Agritourism restrictions due to planning laws, inadequate road signage, and barriers to festival sustainability.
- Key Opportunities: Strengthening community-business relationships through local festivals, improving wayfinding signage, and supporting agritourism-friendly policy reforms.
Cooma | Alpine Hotel | 8 February 2024
- Key Challenges: Housing shortages, lack of premium accommodation, limited childcare, and the need for better public transport connections.
- Key Opportunities: Expanding rail trails, developing an integrated trails master plan, and supporting agritourism insurance models.
Young | Grove Estate | 23 November 2023
- Key Challenges: Road conditions, limited accommodation, difficulty in securing event dates, and lack of updated promotional materials.
- Key Opportunities: Rail trails development, cycle tourism initiatives, improved regional signage, and fostering stronger industry collaboration networks
Share your Challenge or Opportunity
You don’t have to wait for a Southern Yarns event to tell us about a challenge or discuss an opportunity that you have identified.
Share your insights via this form, and one of our team members will be in touch.
Get Involved
Interested in joining a future Southern Yarns event or hosting one in your region?
Contact Us:
Email – info@dsnsw.com.au
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