Wotif knowledge will be shared

The easiest way to get ahead is to learn from someone who has, which is why the University of Southern Queensland (USQ) is launching a new business speaker series at its Springfield Campus.

The first speaker in the ‘Nibbles with the Big Cheese' series will be CEO of leading international company Wotif.com, Graeme Wood, who will present on Wednesday, 28 June from 7pm – 8.30pm in the USQ Springfield Auditorium.

Mr Wood revolutionised the travel industry in Australia when he created the concept for, and co-founded, Wotif.com in 2000.

Wotif.com is Australia's leading last-minute accommodation website, offering travellers value for money by selling hotel rooms that are available within the next 14 days. Accessible 24 hours a day, seven days a week, Wotif.com is an online booking engine that displays 'live' hotel availability and leads the last-minute accommodation market in both Australia and New Zealand.

From his simple and innovative idea Mr Wood has grown Wotif.com into a global company with a team of over 110 employees worldwide.

In 2004 his innovative management strategy saw Wotif.com announced as overall winner of the Premier of Queensland's SMART Awards, as well as receiving the award for Outstanding Achievement by an Organisation in the Services Sector.

Mr Wood was also recognised at the 2004 Management Excellence Awards where he was awarded the Australian Institute of Management Medal for Management Innovation and recently he successfully listed Wotif.com on the stock exchange.

Mr Wood is an inspirational speaker and in the presentation he will cover topics such as entrepreneurship, innovation, higher education and the up's and downs on his entrepreneurial path.

USQ Springfield Master of Business Administration (MBA) Program Coordinator, Michael Gardiner said the series is designed to support the local business community.

"The idea of the series is to help local businesses and business people in the region to gain access to knowledge that will help their organisation and their careers grow.

"Every speaker in the series will be Australian providing a local flavour, as well as a real opportunity to learn, and the opportunity to network with other business professionals.

"Ticket prices have been kept to a minimum to allow a large number of people to take advantage of the information covered in the presentation, as often access to such information costs hundreds or even thousands of dollars."

Tickets cost $33 and bookings are essential.  To make a booking please email Helen Ainsworth at ainsworth@usq.edu.au or phone 1800 455 889 by Monday 26 June.

Media Contact: Fiona Taylor, USQ Media, +61 7 3470 4117 or +61 423 808 462