Suzana Bishop - CEO, Northern Territory Major Events Company

Suzana has 25 years of experience in the tourism and events industry, including leadership roles with some of Victoria’s most esteemed event organisations, including the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC), The Australian Grand Prix, The Royal Melbourne (Royal Melbourne Show) and Federation Square. She has led a comprehensive portfolio of events and experiences as Chief Experience Officer over the past four years, and recently relocated to Darwin to lead Northern Territory Major Events Company. Suzana is adept at delivering destination experience strategies, and is an advocate for events as a tool for attracting visitation and contributing to the visitor economy. She has served on various task forces and boards over the years, including the Victorian Tourism Industry Council (VTIC) events committee, Canberra International Music Festival Board, Port of Echuca Board, and Meetings and Events of Australia Board. Suzana is an alumnus of the Committee for Melbourne’s Future Focus Group program and a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD). She has a Master’s in Advertising and an Executive MBA from RMIT University.

Paul Ah Chee - Director of Engagement and Culture, Northern Territory Major Events Company

Paul is a proud Arrernte man from Alice Springs with an extensive history working in the arts, culture, events, tourism and sport space. As a cultural consultant with Northern Territory Major Events Company, he plays a key role in developing relationships and broadening engagement with Aboriginal stakeholders, in particular the Traditional Owners of the land on which events take place. Paul has served on many boards and committees, and is currently a Director on the Tourism NT Board, and Chair of the Aboriginal Tourism Committee. His passion is to help Aboriginal groups and individuals striving to become economically self-sufficient, and to be a leader, role model and accessible resource for those seeking help. A talented musician, Paul formed the band Amunda (1989-1997), and has recently seen success in his solo music career with performances at Darwin Festival, Adelaide Fringe Festival and Sydney Fringe Festival.

Rhoda Roberts AO

A Widjabul  Wiyebal woman from the Bundjalung territories, Rhoda Roberts AO is Curator of Parrtjima – A Festival in Light. An experienced, motivated and versatile arts executive, with a diverse range of international and national industry practice within commercial, community and non-profit organisations, Rhoda is the Elder in Residence for SBS, Creative Director First Nations NORPA, Festival Director of Boomerang Festival and a consultant with NIDA.

 

The former Head of First Nations Programming at Sydney Opera House, Rhoda was the founder and Festival Director of the Dreaming Festivals (1995-2009) and Co-Founder of the Aboriginal National Theatre Trust. A practicing weaver, actor, independent producer and director, she continues to work as a consultant across diverse disciplines and is a sought-after speaker and performer in theatre, film, television and radio. The First Aboriginal presenter to host a primetime current affairs show (Vox Populi on SBS), her regular podcast Deadly Voices, continues her broadcast history, and she hosted the radio show Deadly Sounds from 1992-2012.