Our People
Ron Livingston - Managing Director / Owner
Outstanding Contribution by an Individual
Ron Livingston commenced his tourism career at the Great Barrier Reef Wonderland, Townsville in 1988 after a successful 16 years in commercial broadcasting.
Moving to Cairns in 1990, Ron led the sales and marketing team at Great Adventures for two years, and then in the position of General Manager, Sales and Marketing at Sunlover Cruises oversaw four years of rapid growth in both market share and market profile.
Sunlover Cruises in fact grew its business from approximately 30,000 pax per year to 100,000 paying pax at the end of his tenure. This was followed by just over a year as General Manager of the Natural Adventure Company, which at that time operated Ferntree Rainforest Resort, RnR White Water Rafting and Frankland Islands Cruise & Dive.
Over the past 16 years Ron has visited over 30 countries selling Tropical North Queensland and particular products. He has spent a great deal of time in Asia and Japan and has specialised in the USA/Canada, U.K. and a selection of mainland European markets (Germany in particular). During this time Ron has been consistently working with the Inbound Market within Australia, ensuring complete coverage of the international distribution system.
Ron has occupied the following voluntary positions during his career:
- Chairman of Cairns Tourism Association (2 years)
- Director of Tourism Tropical North QLD (8.5 years)
- Director of ATEC (2003-current)
In the 2006 TNQ Tourism Awards he received recognition from his peers via the award for ‘The Most Outstanding Contribution by an Individual’.
Due to Ron’s constant presence and high profile in the industry, he has built a vast network of contacts as well as developing strong personal relationships with key players in various markets. Ron’s positive image in the buying market is due to his reliability, honesty, persistence and personality.
Email: ron@livingstontm.com.au Phone : + 61 7 4031 6447 Mobile : 0417 771 075
Sharyn Brydon - General Manager – Sales & Marketing
Sharyn Brydon arrived in Cairns in 1990 looking to change career direction from the corporate life of Hotels in Sydney. On arriving in Cairns Sharyn took up the position of Sales & Marketing Manager for the Pacific International Hotel, a position she held for six years before taking on a move to Asia.
Moving to Malaysia with her husband in the mid ‘90s, Sharyn spent two years on a limited work visa taking on projects with the Hilton Batang Ai Long House Resort, Riverside Majestic Hotel, Damai Golf Course & Country Club as well as Sarawak State Development, researching and developing international tourism product.
Upon returning to Cairns the Brydons added a member to the family and Sharyn took on the part-time role of Tourism Awards Event Manager for Tourism Tropical North Queensland. Soon snapped up by the Marketing Department of TTNQ she has been responsible for the Western Markets of North America, United Kingdom, Nordic and Europe for the past four years and most recently as the General Manager.
An active participant in the industry Sharyn was a founding member of the Hotel Sales & Marketing Association and is currently a board member of Port Douglas Daintree Tourism Ltd and sits on the committee of Tropical North Queensland ATEC.
Email: sharyn@livingstontm.com.au Phone : + 61 7 4031 6447 Mobile : 0439 316 447
Sharee Verdon - Business Development Manager
Sharee is the face of Livingston Tourism in the US and Domestic Markets. Another Cairns local, Sharee traveled the world and worked in hospitality and tourism positions in the UK, Canada, Europe and of course Australia. Sharee’s love of Tourism led her to successfully complete her TAFE Certificate III & IV in International Retail Sales and Sales and Marketing.
Sharee has worked for local icons such as Ocean Spirit Cruises mastering operational and sales roles in her previous appointment. Her enthusiasm and excellence in service was recognized when she won the Cairns Tourism Award for November 2005 and was a finalist for the annual award. Sharee’s charismatic character is ideal for products wishing to maintain a strong presence in the US and Domestic Markets.
Email: sharee@livingstontm.com.au Phone : + 61 7 4031 6447 Mobile : 0439 316 525
Tasha Colclough - Local Sales Executive
Tasha is the LTM representative in the local market stretching from Port Douglas to Townsville and west covering the Atherton Tablelands. Originally hailing from Cairns, Tasha moved around the world with her family living in exotic places such as Singapore, Malaysia, Scotland and PNG.
Tasha found her passion for Tourism early completing her Tourism Certificate III in Tour Guiding during Highschool. She soon followed that up with the successful completion of her Certificate IV in Sales and Marketing. In 2006 Tasha was awarded the prestigious SKAL bursary for excellence in Tourism.
Tasha comes to us with experience in both Attractions and Hotels having worked at The Coffee Works as a tour host and barista and more recently at the Cairns Colonial Club Resort.
Email: localsales@livingstontm.com.au Phone : + 61 7 4031 6447 Mobile : 0407 644 796
Carolyn Gray – Business Development Manager – Western Australia
Carolyn has been working in travel and tourism for over 20 years, both in Australia and the United Kingdom. Her background includes retail travel (Thomas Cook – Aust; Campus Travel – UK), wholesale travel (Holiday Factory – Aust), direct sell travel (Quest Worldwide Travel – UK), Inbound travel (Goway – Aust), as well as working for a National Tourism Organisation – Tourism New Zealand for 3 years based in London.
Carolyn has a wealth of experience ranging from front line selling as a travel consultant, business development, product manager & contractor, sales and strategic marketing, collateral production, brand development, relationship management, event management, training and presentation skills.
Since returning to Australia in 2001, Carolyn started her company, Vertu – Creative Communications, specialising in sales, marketing, public/media relations and product management consultancy within the travel and tourism industry and has a variety of domestic and international clients.
Working from her base in Perth, Livingston Tourism Marketing can now offer its services to Western Australian based companies looking for expert global sales and marketing representation.
Email: carolyn@livingstontm.com.au Mobile : 0403 991 738
Gerd Gruenewald - Business Development Manager - Europe
Gerd is the in-market LTM representative in German speaking Europe. His extensive sales & marketing experience and European contacts make him a very valuable addition to the LTM team.
Gerd spent 2 years working as a passenger service agent & ticket agent for Pan American Airlines before being promoted to Shift leader. He then continued for a further 3 years in this role before moving to Schwaben International a German Tour Operator focussed on outbound travel to North & South America, South Africa and Australia where he spent 7 years as Sales Manager.
Gerd then worked a further 7 years for Qantas Airways, starting as a sales representative and working his way up to Manager – Germany South where he ran his own office in Munich responsible for 3 agents.
Most recently Gerd spent 14 years working as the Sales Manager looking after Continental Europe for Britz Australia and New Zealand Rentals & Tours.
Gerd’s wife and business partner, Andrea is an Aussie Specialist who operates a very successful retail agency in Stuttgart with an excellent corporate, group and Independent traveller profile, focusing on Australia.
Lynn Stewart - Business Development Manager - Victoria / Tasmania
Lynn commenced her career in the tourism & travel industry early 1990 in Tropical North Queensland. Over the past 18 years she has worked in various positions with leading companies including Great Adventures - Skyrail Rainforest Cableway - Sunlover Cruises - Destination Cairns Marketing & Great Barrier Reef Helicopters.
In January 2001 Lynn moved to Melbourne, recognizing the need for product representation to Inbound Tour Operators and Wholesalers throughout Australia, United Kingdom and Europe, Lynn commenced her own business 'market IN representation services', marketing individual properties, products, experiences and tour operators. Throughout this duration she has successfully marketed for multiple award winning companies.
Lynn's experience includes Inbound and wholesale contracting, setting & negotiation of rates, strategic planning, Business Development Manager training, production & distribution of adventure wholesale brochure, worldwide travel update newsletter, buyer product manual & promotional flyers.
A Member of TSMN (Tourism Sales & Marketing Network)
Lynn focuses strongly on personalised service, ensuring representation and maintenance of a professional and personal approach.
Email: lynn@marketIN.com.au
Don Jolly - Business Development Manager - South East Queensland
Don Jolly is the principal and founder of Australian based travel and tourism consultancy, Don Jolly & Associates, now trading as Global Tourism Solutions (GTS). GTS specializes in the tourism and travel industry and provides a range of services including International marketing & management consultancy, International market representation plus professional development & facilitation services.
As the principal, Jolly brings to the role more than 25 years' sales, marketing and management experience in the international corporate arena with organizations such as Tourism Queensland and the leading Asian tourism group, Tour East (a division of Qantas Holidays). In these companies, Jolly resided overseas in a range of posts including Singapore as well as Thailand, covering all of Asia plus London covering the UK and Europe.
Francis Wong - Business Development Manager - South Australia
Francis Wong is a prominent figure in marketing Australia as the Tourism destination. He is well known as an accomplished leader as well as a spokesperson for the Asian Inbound Tourism Industry in Australia and is one of the Business Ambassadors for South Australia appointed by the South Australia Government. He also sits on the many boards and committees including the peak national tourism body, Australian Tourism Export Council, and the founder Chair of ATEC in South Australia. In 2007, he was elected as one of Adelaide City Councillors.
He migrated from Brunei Darussalam in 1988 to establish Encounter Australia Pty Ltd., which is now one of the leading and most awarded national Inbound Tourism companies based in South Australia.
Francis Wong's positive attitude and entrepreneurial style has won respect in Australia and abroad. His experience in various industries in Australia, coupled with his influential network within the governments and private enterprise has brought many rewards to the Australian tourism industry and communities. This has also led to him being awarded the Council for International Trade and Commerce of South Australia (CITCSA) International Business Ambassador for 3 consecutive years, 2002, 2003 and 2004. In 2005 he was awarded as CITCSA Life Business Ambassador.
In 1998, he was appointed by the Australian Federal Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs to serve on the Business Advisory Panel, advising the Minister and the Department on the national skill migration policy.
In 1998, we was awarded by the South Australian tourism industry "The Most Outstanding Contribution by an Individual to Tourism" , again in 2003 he received the prestigious national award – 'Most Outstanding Contributing by an Individual to the Australian Tourism Export Council' – presented by the former Australian Federal Minister for Tourism and Mr. Joe Hockey MP.
Francis Wong understands the importance of keeping abreast both the domestic and international market environment. His ability of understanding the value of capitalizing on networks has brought many rewards to the Business, Tourism and Multicultural community of South Australia and Australia.
He serves on various Boards, Councils and Panels, including
- National Board Member- Australian Tourism Export Council
- National President, Australia Brunei Darussalam Business Council
- Secretary- Federation of Chinese Organizations of South Australia
- Area Councillor – Adelaide City Council
- Board Member – South Australia Motor Sport Board
- Board Member – Australia Day Council
- Board Member – Adelaide City Council Reconciliation Committee
- Business Ambassador - South Australia Business Ambassador Network
- Former Chair, Adelaide Georgetown Sister City Committee
- Former Committee Member, Australia Indian Business Council
- Former Executive Committee, Grote Street Traders Association
- Founder Board Member, Australia Malaysia Business Council
- Founder Board Member, Chinese Chamber of Commerce SA
- Founder President, Inbound Tourism Organization of Australia-S.A. Branch
- Former Board Member, Business in the Community South Australia
- Founder Board Member, Council for International Trade of Commerce SA
- Former State President, The Australian Migration Consultants Association
- Former President, Australian Asian Chamber of Commerce SA
Phone: +61 8 8221 5722 Fax: +61 8 8221 5001 Mobile: +61 412 308 138
