Marks works with the South West Development Commission (SWDC) on a range of key economic development initiatives. The SWDC is the state government agency under the Dept. of Primary Industries and Regional Development. The main role is the social and economic development of the South West of Western Australia. His focus is on infrastructure and tourism development projects. With more than 30 years in the tourism sector, his background includes retail travel, tourism marketing, product development, staff training, destination development and government tourism policy. His main objective is to improve economic development though infrastructure development, strategic planning and supporting tourism. He has represented tourism interests on many Boards, including destination marketing organisations, and has been involved with a wide range of tourism development projects.Current positions include:• Dolphin Discovery Centre Inc (ex officio)• Curtin University, Western Australia, University Associate (Tourism)• GeoParksWA, Founding Member• Cruise Bunbury Committee, Chairman• Cruise Western Australia, Tourism WA, South West Region Representative• Tourism Research Cluster, Faculty of Business and Law, Curtin University, Western Australia• International Relations Committee, City of Bunbury (Vietnam, China and Japan)Mark has presented at tourism related conferences and seminars, both in Australia and overseas. This has included professional development workshops in Vietnam (Hanoi and HoChiMin) and a keynote speaker in Malaysian Borneo (Kuching and Mulu). He also has strong links with Edith Cowan and Curtin Universities in Perth.Specialities include: Government policy, land use planning, destination management (marketing and development), project management and regional infrastructure and services.