081 Eventfolk: Building a Collective Voice for Regional and Rural Events

In this engaging episode of the Tourism Hub Podcast, host Despina Karatzias welcomes back Linda Tillman, a remarkable figure in regional tourism and events as she launches her new venture, Eventfolk. Linda shares her inspiring journey since her last appearance in Tourism Hub Episode 76, ignited by a powerful presentation from the late Rose Wright at the Australian Regional Tourism Convention. This moment fueled her passion for advocating for regional events and highlighted their critical role in community engagement and economic development.

Listeners will discover the exciting launch of the Australian Centre for Regional Events, co-founded by Linda and her business partner, Cathy Treasure. This initiative aims to support regional and rural communities in delivering exceptional and sustainable events. Linda discusses Eventfolk, a newly introduced community designed to connect event professionals, share knowledge, and foster collaboration among those involved in the event industry.

Throughout the conversation, Linda emphasises the importance of advocacy for regional events and the need for a collective voice to highlight their value. With the launch of Eventfolk, members can access resources, participate in monthly coffee chats, and engage with guest presenters, all aimed at building a supportive network for event organisers.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone involved in tourism and events, as it highlights the transformative power of community and collaboration in creating memorable experiences that resonate beyond the event itself. Join Despina and Linda as they explore the future of regional events and the exciting opportunities that lie ahead for Eventfolk and its members.

00:00 – Welcome to the Tourism Hub Podcast, a podcast devoted to regional tourism excellence

02:19 – Rose Wright ignited your passion for events in Makai last year

05:16 – The Australian Centre of Regional Events is dedicated to promoting regional tourism and events

07:55 – Australian Centre for Regional Events launched Event Folk this week

12:05 – Eventfolk launched on Monday, and both Cath and I have had a positive response

14:30 – Eventfolk is an inclusive platform for anybody who works in events

16:49 – Event Folk is about creating a collective voice for regional and rural events

23:19 – AI for Eventfolk is our virtual gathering of the minds on event efficiency

25:28 – Was there Anything that we have not covered that we must cover

26:08 – Eventfolk is a platform to build a community that can support each other

27:21 – Event Folk is opening its doors to the public on November 12, 2025, for the inaugural Masterclass AI for EventFolk: A masterclass on how to save time and maximise IMPACT

Mentioned in this episode:

• Australian Centre for Regional Events
• Eventfolk
• Connect with Linda Tillman
• Connect with Catherine Treasure

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Show hosted by Despina Karatzias and brought to you by Tourism Hub in association with Institute Of Excellence.

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