Alan Joyce goes one on one with Kerry O’Brien at HOTA, live and online

Qantas CEO Alan Joyce

HOTA, Home of the Arts has partnered with Griffith University to present an exciting new thought leadership conversation series A Better Future for All.

In the inaugural event on Thu 30 July, Qantas Group CEO Alan Joyce AC will take part in a one on one conversation with legendary interviewer Kerry O’Brien on the subject of ‘Travelling into the future’, offering a rare insight into the mind of one of the nation’s most prominent CEOs.

Kerry O’Brien is undeniably Australia’s premier interviewer whose fierce intellect and engaging manner has become a constant presence on our screens for more than 40 years.

The conversations we’ll be having will push the edges of social, political and economic discourse. We will be seeking out people with enlightened insights on intransigent problems and new thinking in a post-pandemic world; issues that touch the everyday lives of people on the Gold Coast as much as anywhere else in the country, O’Brien said.

Before an invited audience (and live-streamed online) Alan Joyce will talk about the unprecedented crisis that Qantas has recently experienced as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to push many sectors, including the aviation and tourism industry, to the brink.

In its 100 years, Qantas has never experienced a crisis like this. With international and some state borders closed, its fleet is all but grounded with billions of dollars of aircraft parked away in desert locations and thousands of staff facing uncertain futures.

The question continues to be asked. Has this caused an inexorable change to aviation and what measures can one of the world’s oldest airlines adopt to chart a safe path out of the battering storm?

Qantas Group CEO Alan Joyce AC will answer those pressing questions and more when he appears as the inaugural guest on Griffith University’s new A Better Future for All series – In Conversation with Kerry O’Brien.

HOTA, Home of the Arts is proud to partner with Griffith University to present this fresh and exciting series which brings together some of Australia’s most influential people to the Gold Coast for timely and topical discussion about events and issues which matter most.

Criena Gehrke, HOTA CEO said;

We are delighted to partner with Griffith University to co- curate the A Better Future for All talk series. These events are a unique chance to see inside the inner-minds of some of the country’s brightest minds and influential thinkers.

Griffith Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Carolyn Evans welcomed the continuation of the University’s relationship with HOTA.

This is a critical moment in time to engage in important and courageous conversations about the future. We are delighted to partner with HOTA to ensure that the Gold Coast is a place in which nationally significant conversations that include a wide variety of voices take place. Professor Evans said.

The conversation series will continue to engage with some Australia’s biggest names including ACTU head Sally McManus and indigenous author Bruce Pascoe scheduled to take part in one-on-ones in the following months.

The inaugural event will be live-streamed from 6pm on Thu 30 July on this site and after the event will be available to be watched on-demand here.

Peter J Snee

Peter is a British born creative, working in the live entertainment industry. He holds an honours degree in Performing Arts and has over 12 years combined work experience in producing, directing and managing artistic programs & events. Peter has traversed the UK, Europe and Australia pursuing his interest in theatre. He is inspired by great stories and passionately driven by pursuing opportunities to tell them.