Hundreds of Queensland's foremost experts in tourism and major events will converge on Cloncurry for the state's leading events forum next month.
Tourism Industry Development Minister Kate Jones today announced the theme of the August 2019 DestinationQ forum was 'how our past shapes our future'.
"More than 910,000 visitors spent more than $640 million in the outback last year. Tourism is crucial when it comes to growing the economy in west Queensland," she said.
"We recognise there's huge potential for growth in this sector. Having the industry's best and brightest minds in Cloncurry will help us develop new ways to grow the sector in years to come."
This year's conference will feature talks from keynote speaker Sir Bob Parker, the former Mayor of Christchurch Mayor who was recognised for his grace under pressure during the 2011 Christchurch earthquake.
New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival Communications Director Matthew Goldman will also tell the inspirational story of how the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival rebuilt after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina.
Run by Tourism and Events Queensland, the DestinationQ events conference aims to grow the state's $800 million It's Live! in Queensland events calendar.
The decision to host DestinationQ in Cloncurry comes after Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk last year announced 2019 as the Year of Outback Tourism.
Cloncurry Shire Council mayor Greg Campbell said the town would put on a DestinationQ to remember.
"As Queensland's friendliest town, we are very excited to be hosting such a top event," he said.
Ms Jones encouraged tourism operators across the state to register for the Cloncurry event to be held on Tuesday 6 August 2019.
