From his simple and innovative idea (and humble beginning operating from a garage), Graeme pioneered Wotif.com’s development into a multi-national company, which employs more than 190 people in five offices, spread across the globe. During his seven years at the helm, Wotif.com became one of Australia’s most successful and well-known online businesses, with Graeme and the company winning awards and accolades along the way, including:
->Overall Winner and Winner of Outstanding Achievement by an Organisation in the Services Sector - Premier of Queensland’s SMART Awards 2004
->Australian Institute of Management Medal for
->Management Innovation - 2004 Management Excellence Awards
->National winner of the Technology, Communications,
->E-Commerce and Life Sciences category - 2005
->Ernst and Young, Entrepreneur of the Year awards
->Winner of the Inspiration iAward and the Tourism & Hospitality category
->AIIA iAwards 2006
->Three consecutive annual awards from Hitwise Internet intelligence service, announcing Wotif.com as the #1 Travel - Destinations and Accommodation website across Australia for 2004 to 2007.
Graeme also rates overseeing Wotif.com’s listing on the Australian Stock Exchange in June 2006, as a major career highlight. In October 2007, Graeme retired from his role as CEO and Managing Director of Wotif.com, but continues to play a key strategic role in the company as an Executive Director and also maintains a significant financial interest. In his new position, Graeme is focused on developing new business concepts and the ongoing promotion of Wotif.com. With a background in information technology, Graeme has more than 30 years’ experience in the field of information systems and software development, having worked at NCR and later IBM. His career as an entrepreneur began in the early 1980s with the first of several technology start-ups. Graeme is a graduate of the University of Queensland, Australia, with a Bachelor of Economics and Master of Information Systems. He is a frequent speaker at functions, covering topics relevant to the travel industry, as well as entrepreneurship and innovation.
He is an avid yachtsman who placed first in his division in the 2005 Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race. Graeme continues to race competitively. His not-for-profit interests through The Graeme Wood Foundation and the Wot’s Next Program support youth development initiatives in the arts, sailing, and conservation.
GUEST SPEAKING TOPICS
->Innovation
->Sustainable tourism
->Creative futures
