UWEA MEMBER MEETING 2026

Orange, NSW

5-7 August 2026

Join us in Orange this August for the UWEA Member Meeting 2026 - an opportunity to learn, connect as a collective, strengthen your tourism strategy, and be inspired by what’s possible when we work together.

Set against the backdrop of one of Australia’s most exciting cool-climate wine regions, this year’s meeting will bring members together for an immersive program designed to spark ideas, share insights, and drive commercial outcomes for your winery.

Enjoy expert speakers, a practical workshop and regional experiences. Plus importantly, it’s a chance to spend valuable time with like-minded peers - sharing challenges, opportunities and ideas in an open, collaborative environment that defines our collective.

Overview

Orange

Orange is located in regional NSW, around 260km north west of Sydney.

Travel Options

The drive from Sydney or Canberra is around 3.5 hours.

You can fly direct to and from Sydney, with connections with other major cities.

Arrival: we recommend the 4.15pm Rex or 4.25pm Qantas flights on Wednesday 5th August. Alternatively, the 8.25am Qantas flight on Thursday 6th August.

Departure: we recommend the 5.25pm Rex or 5.45pm Qantas flights on Friday 7th August.

There are some direct flights from Melbourne and Brisbane, but only on select days, with limited options.

Accommodation

Please arrange your own accommodation in the centre of Orange. We suggest the following properties for ease with coach transfers:

Yallungah Boutique Hotel - Enjoy 15% off stays at Yallungah Boutique Hotel when booking two nights or more between 5-9 August 2026. Use promo code ULTIMATEWINERYEXPERIENCES when booking direct.

Quest Orange - They will offer 15% off their best available rate for the dates required for accommodation. This will be available for all room types. Use promo code UWE.

De Russie Boutique Hotel - book direct and save 10%.

The Oriana Orange - They have set up a booking code: UWEA. It’s ready to use for stays between 3rd-9th August 2026, and applies to the Signature Queen and King Suites when booking direct either online or via reception. The discount is a sliding rate based off their best available rate of the day.

Itinerary Outline

Wednesday
Welcome dinner in central Orange

Thursday - Printhie Wines
Member Meeting, followed by winery experience and dinner

Friday - Swinging Bridge
Member workshop, followed by winery experience and lunch

Optional Extra
Join Tom Ward from Swinging Bridge for a morning walk or jog followed by coffee. Meet centrally at 7:00am on Thursday.

Wednesday 5th August 2026

arrivAL & WELCOME DINNER

Join us for a casual welcome dinner at one of Orange's best pubs!

Key details:

Venue: The Gladstone Hotel, 71 Byng St, Orange

Time: 7pm

Bring: We are waiting to hear whether we can BYO wine

Dress code: Business casual

Additional info:

The Gladstone Hotel is centrally located within walking distance of all accommodation suggestions. Please make your own way to and from dinner.

Thursday 6th August 2026

PRINTHIE WINES

Printhie wines will be our host, combining our UWEA Member's Meeting, with an opportunity to experience their outstanding cellar door, followed by dinner in their award-winning restaurant.

Meeting place:

Coach pick up from The Oriana, Yallungah Boutique Hotel and Quest Orange between 9.15am - 9.30am

If anyone is flying in this morning and unable to make this pick-up time, make your own way to Printhie Wines. Located at 208 Nancarrow Lane, Nashdale 2800.

Key details:

10.00am - Printhie Kitchen Garden Tour

10.30am - UWEA Members Meeting

4.00pm - Printhie Winery Experience

6.00pm - Printhie Dining UWEA team dinner

9.00pm - The first coach departs Printhie returning guests to Orange accommodation

9.45pm - The second coach departs Printhie for Quest Orange and Yallungah Boutique Hotel

Meeting Session:

This year’s program will feature a strong line-up of guest speakers from across the tourism ecosystem, exploring the traveller journey from global demand through to on-the-ground experience, alongside an update from UWEA on our collective activity and focus. The program includes:

Sarah Myers, UWEA Executive Officer

Matt Cameron-Smith,Voyagers Tourism - Chief Executive Officer (UWEA Board Director and Chair)

Sarah Mackenney, Tourism Australia - Global Distribution Development & Partnerships Manager Global Markets

Steven Pleciak, Alquemie and Beyond The Blue - Owner, Board Member, Investor

Dean (Dingo) Hampel, Localing Tours - Co-founder and Director

Craig Bradbury, Beckons (formerly Baillie Lodges) - Chief Operating Officer, plus Board Director of Luxury Lodges of Australia and Ultimate Winery Experiences Australia

Additional info:

Transport: UWEA will provide pick up and drop-off from Orange's recommended CBD accommodations.

Dress: Business casual. Flat shoes and a very warm jacket and beanie are recommended for experiences.

Bring: A bottle of wine to share over dinner.

FRIDAY 7th August 2026

SWINGING BRIDGE

Hosted by Swinging Bridge, we continue our Members Meeting with collaborative workshops. We’ll also enjoy a firsthand look at their exceptional wines, cellar door offering, and one of their signature immersive experiences.

Meeting place:

Coach pick up from The Oriana, Quest Orange and Yallungah Boutique Hotel between 8.15am - 8.30am.

Key details:

8.30am - Scenic tour of Orange region

9.30am - Arrive at Swinging Bridge

9.30am - Vineyard tour of Swinging Bridge

10.00am - Workshop (details tbc)

12.30pm - Lunch and winery experience

3.00pm - Depart Swinging Bridge

Additional info:

Dress: Business casual. Flat shoes and a warm jacket recommended for vineyard walk.

Transport: UWEA will provide pick up and drop offs from Orange's recommended CBD accommodations.

RSVP AND PRICING

RSVP

Please click HERE to RSVP.

We appreciate your prompt response, and request RSVPs by Friday June 12.

PRICING

We’re pleased to offer you a heavily subsidised rate to attend all components of the 2026 UWEA Member Meeting, thanks to the generous support of our Orange members and Tourism Australia.

This support enables us to deliver a high-quality event, provide valuable opportunities to experience another wine region, and offer exceptional value to our members - all with the goal of encouraging maximum participation from across our national collective.

Price per attendee is $225, and includes:

Welcome Dinner at The Gladstone Hotel

Meeting, lunch, experiences, dinner and drinks at Printhie Wines

Workshop, lunch, experience and drinks at Swinging Bridge

Coach transfers