| The Voice Australia contestants Lara Nakhle and Connor Wink will perform at a gala dinner for the Sensory Tourism Conference & Gold Crest Explorer Expo on the NSW Central Coast at Ibis Styles The Entrance on Sunday, 11 September 2022. Conference organiser Cocky Guides is also an event sponsor of White Stick Fest, an online music festival produced on 15 October annually to support International White Cane Day. The festival is a collaboration that showcases blind and low-vision artists from around the world. Lara and Connor performed at White Stick Fest in 2021. Emerging low-vision vocalist Summer Giddings will join Lara and Connor and perform as the support act at the conference. The founder of Cocky Guides, James (Buck) McFarlane, says, “It’s great to support White Stick Fest. But it gives me even greater satisfaction to offer a platform like the Sensory Tourism Conference that provides blind and low vision artists more opportunities for live performance.” The Sensory Tourism Conference & Gold Crest Explorer Expo also showcases many accessible local tourism businesses. Tour operators like Broken Bay Pearl Farm, Girri Girra Aboriginal Experiences, Central Coast Surf School, Gosford Regional Gallery and Edogawa Commemorative Garden participate in one of three itineraries for blind and low-vision travellers to explore the Central Coast. From the beach to the bush or the burbs, Cocky Guides deliver experiences for participants’ preferred choice of activity level. The event begins with a coach transfer from Sydney on Sunday, 11 September 2022, followed by a day of social interaction, guest speakers, panel discussions and a 3-course dinner. On day two, travellers can select from one of three itineraries and experience NSW’s accessible Central Coast based on the traveller’s preferred activity level – relaxed, classic (moderate) or active. Day three is an expo format with guest speakers to share more about services in sensory tourism and independent travel. |
| Conference registration is closing soon!The complete program is available online. With only three weeks before registrations close on Friday, 26 August 2022, now is the time to register! You can learn more and register today here |
