More than 50 travel consultants from Travellers Choice member agencies in every state recently gathered in Melbourne for the network’s first Frontliners expo and training event since COVID.
The Australian network of independent advisors reunited frontline sellers with 37 preferred suppliers across the single-day Travellers Choice Frontliners 2026 event in Manningham in Melbourne’s northeast.
The consultants from 30 Travellers Choice member agencies enjoyed a full day of professional development and relationship building.
The morning featured a product expo attended by major airlines, cruise lines, wholesalers and tour operators, while the afternoon turned to hands-on training led by Viva Holidays Wholesale Account Manager for Victoria & Tasmania Jade Mannix for an in-depth look at Cruiseco and the latest Ultimate Journeys itineraries.
The Travellers Choice Frontliners 2026 event also featured a presentation from Semerian Sankori, founder of Patinaai Osim, an organisation working to empower indigenous Maasai women and children in rural Kenya.
Travellers Choice member Warrandyte Travel & Cruise is a long-time supporter of the cause and agency owner Carolyn Allen spoke about working with the Intrepid Foundation to raise funds for solar power at the organisation’s community hub in Kenya.
Why the supplier mix mattered for regional advisors
At the Travellers Choice Frontliners 2026 event, advisors based outside the major capitals received valuable face time with suppliers who rarely visit their areas, such as South American Tourism Office, Air Tahiti Nui and Windstar.
Floreat World of Travel’s Tegan Woods from Perth and Caitlan Smith from Tailor Made Travel Mt Gambier in South Australia said the Travellers Choice Frontliners 2026 expo and event was a rare chance to meet suppliers with a limited presence in their regions.
“The range of exhibitors was excellent and it was valuable to personally connect with representatives from companies we wouldn’t normally see in Western Australia,” Woods said.
“It was also good to learn a few tricks and tips from Viva Holidays and to hear how Intrepid is not only trying to make the world a better place, but how it is working closely with a fellow Travellers Choice member to improve people’s lives.”
What advisors took away
Tailor Made Travel Mt Gambier’s Caitlan Smith said the chance to share notes with fellow consultants at the Travellers Choice Frontliners 2026 was just as valuable as the supplier sessions.
“One of the things I love about Travellers Choice is the fact that everyone is so open and honest and happy to share tips and insights,” she said.
“Speaking to colleagues I picked up new ideas on ways we can work with our preferred suppliers to deliver what we are all trying to achieve – exceptional customer experiences. I returned to the office motivated and energised, and eager to share that knowledge.”
Where Frontliners goes next
Travellers Choice BDM for Victoria & Tasmania Graham Smith said the event is set to grow in 2027.
“Suppliers and consultants have been overwhelmingly positive in their feedback and, thanks to the ongoing expansion of our national network, we are continually welcoming new frontline consultants to the Travellers Choice fold,” Smith said.
“As a result, there is potential for the event to attract significantly more consultants from across the country over the next few years.”
KARRYON UNPACKS: For a national network that includes regional Australia, a single-day expo that puts hard-to-reach suppliers in front of advisors does the work that scattered BDM visits cannot. Travellers Choice signals its own member growth by flagging an even bigger Frontliners event in 2027.
