A glittering Qantas sponsored gala dinner and awards ceremony heralded the closure of the three-day helloworld Owner Managers Conference 2016 on Saturday evening at Resort World Sentosa Island Singapore.
Over 500 helloworld members, staff and preferred suppliers had travelled from all over Australia and New Zealand to collectively bring to life this year’s conference theme of “We’re all in this together”.
Whilst the conference began on Thursday, the official opening happened that evening at The Singapore S.E.A Aquarium with the world’s largest tank as the backdrop to the ‘Hello Singapore’ formalities from long time helloworld favourite Emcee – ‘Larry Emdur’.
Emcee Larry Emdur
And what a backdrop it was, with delegates sipping their vinos whilst watching over 800 species of marine animals including Manta Rays and Sharks of all sizes perform a merry dance in helloworld’s honour in 12 million gallons of water.
There was even a giant blue helloworld flag inside the tank, which was unfurled and held aloft by four Scuba divers with many people no doubt wondering whether the divers would actually get back out of the tank in one piece given they were being circled by a school of hungry mouths.
Day One and oh how the headlines flowed…
helloworld Group CEO & Managing Director Andrew Burnes delivers his address
Day one of the conference kicked off on Friday morning with plenty of energy and the announcement from CEO & Managing Director Andrew Burnes in his opening address that the group had that morning announced the group’s acquisition of 50% of MTA Travel via the ASX.
Instantly adding 350 Mobile Travel Agents to the group, it is a strategic move that Burnes said “Will only increase the TTV (Total Transaction Value) growth and potential benefits for everyone”.
Read more about the MTA acquisition here
If that wasn’t enough of a jolt into listening, the MTA news was quickly followed with two more big hitting game changers to further excite the members within the room.
Firstly, Burnes announced “Every member will today become a shareholder in helloworld with all business owners to be given an allotment of $3.5m with 750,000 shares to be given out in individual envelopes today at morning tea.” Cue gasps from the crowd and jaws dropped all round.
“My vision is this. I want helloworld to be all of our business and this annual conference to be our AGM. All of you in this room kept the faith over the years. You stayed and stuck with it thick and thin and I thank you. Put simply, we are nothing without you.”
Burnes added that “helloworld will be offering to buy into an optional 25% stake of every members business in shares if they are agreeable to it”.
Read more about the HLO investment opportunity here
It appeared a firm handshake to only strengthen further the franchise relationship whilst send a clear message of intent to rally the troops and encourage those members with soon to expire current helloworld contracts to re-sign again another three-year term.
And it unquestionably had the desired effect, as come morning tea the rush for the envelopes at the helloworld booth in the networking lounge was akin to that of the Boxing Day sales with members excitedly getting their envelopes and working out their new stake based on the current share price of $4.69 (Up $2.62 from the $2.37 price in Nov 2015 at the Wellington OMC Conference).
Motivational speaker Chris Elder dropped the hammer on positivity
Burnes’ updates had most certainly set the tone for an extremely upbeat member buzz with members clearly appreciating the no-nonsense commercial approach and his zest for helping them grow their businesses.
The tone continued over the two day’s as members heard from preferred suppliers and the helloworld team in breakout workshops and plenary sessions including inspirational keynotes from Olympic Gold Medalist ‘Kerry Pottharst’ who had some delegates walking on glass, motivational speaker ‘Chris Elder’ and entrepreneur cum magician ‘Vinh Giang’ who had the audience in stitches with his apt take on ‘Getting perspective’.
Sundown brought out delegates more social sides
Dancers at the Qantas sponsored Gala Awards dinner
The evening events are always a playground to catch up and meet people old and new and this year’s events were no exception.
Friday night went off like a firecracker (literally) thanks to Etihad Airways who pulled off an incredible event that brought some glitz and glamour to the newly opened Marina Bay Cruise Centre with Arabian dancers, amazing food and yes, even fireworks to night up the Singapore night sky and delight the crowd.
Senior leadership teams, Helloworld and Etihad Airways
Come Saturday night it was time to frock up for the highly anticipated Qantas sponsored Gala Awards dinner which featured a variety of music and entertainment, electric ‘blue’ welcome drinks from American Express and a late night for many revellers with the after party at The Hard Rock Hotel bar kicking on into the wee hours.
Awards were handed out on the night to the group’s best sellers with both the most prestigious gongs – National Associate Store of the year and Branded Store of the year winners particularly echoing the collective member sentiment from the weekend in their acceptance speeches.
“It feels like we’re finally on a trajectory path with helloworld and Andrew at the helm”.
Dan Russell (General Manager, Globenet Travel – Associate Winner)
Claire O’Keefe, Owner Manager helloworld Noosa Heads
“Andrew it’s just been amazing. We are all in this together and it’s working”.
Clare O’Keeffe (Owner Manager helloworld Noosa Heads – Branded Winner)
Looking forward to 2017 events for the group
The Gold Coast Convention Centre will host the 2017 Owner Manager Summits
As part of the groups new approach Burnes announced that the 2017 helloworld Owner Managers Conference will be moving to May 17-21 for end of year financial planning purposes and be held on the Gold Coast at the Convention Centre with a vastly reduced price tag for members.
Cue more applause.
As part of the groups new focus, helloworld CEO & Managing Director Burnes announced that the 2017 Owner Manager Conference will be moving to May 17-21 for pre end of financial year planning purposes and be held on the Gold Coast with a vastly reduced price tag for members.
The helloworld for Business Conference will also be held on the Gold Coast as a two day conference and incorporated into the Owner Manager Conference with optional participation levels for members for those members that would like to attend both events.
The helloworld Frontliner’s Conference will be held from November 23-26, 2017 in Tasmania whilst the newly launched Global Stars (Previously Global Achievers) Reward weekend will take place in Perth in August 2017 (Dates TBC) at the soon to open Crown Towers Hotel.
Summing up
CEO & Managing Director Andrew Burnes maintained the focus
This was a very different feeling conference to that in Wellington eleven months ago, with a much more strategic, commercial focus and transparent approach to all of the group’s presentations, content and messaging.
What was clear was that chief orchestrator Burnes and his leadership team have made some big gains in the last year including winning the NTIA Best Branded Travel Agency Group of the year and are now laying down further foundations for solid growth, new opportunities and strength in numbers for everyone in the wider helloworld group ‘family’.
The weekend’s positive news, promises executed and new offerings to members hit the mark in a big way and you’d have to think the group can expect rave reviews feedback wise from the event and the consequent re-signing of many of those soon to expire contracts.
‘We’re all in this together?’ Given that every member walked away a shareholder they most definitely are now.