The buzz started the minute I boarded flight QF842 from Sydney with familiar, smiling faces all around me chiming out hello’s along with some seriously giddy chatter about the exciting escapade ahead.
Time again then for the annual Global Achievers incentive weekend, which this year was held up in the steamy top end capital of Darwin.
With a weekend reward of pure pleasure and fun for 150 top selling agents and 20 (new this year) cruise achievers, it certainly didn’t disappoint with amazing experiences and laughter galore not to mention some serious spoiling for all attendees.
So what did we learn from Global Achievers 205? Here’s our 7 nuggets of wisdom to share with you.
1. It’s all about being in the club
The seating plan board and a very clever way to create it
This is a tight knit family of the highest achieving agents from all over Australia who sell Qantas Holidays wholesale product year on year. 90% make it annually and with The Cruise Team, Rail Rickets, Ready Rooms, Viva Holidays and now Insider Journeys making up the range of product to sell and be rewarded for.
There are long standing friendships here that have been made over the program and a healthy non-competitive respect for all in the club as fellow achievers.
“The range of product they have – basically everything! Coupled with great service and rewards makes it easy to sell. Plus you get to go on fantastic trips like this one so once you’re in – you’re totally in!”
Courtney McChutcheon, Helloworld Charlestown
2. The top end really does have so much to amaze
https://youtu.be/Km2DxCyWNyU
Surprisingly many agents hadn’t spent much time in Darwin or the Territory before. Needless to say they were blown away with the pre famils and the relaxed vibe of Darwin, which has come a long way in recent years.
NT Tourism have recently released a great new campaign called ‘Go to a better place’ showcasing the kind of experiences we as Australians should all take advantage of in our own backyard to help change behaviour when thinking about the top end.
With more agents heading off on post famils after the event, the Territory top end will no doubt see more growth in visitors after this weekend.
3. It’s not just about Helloworld Ltd agents either
The four Travel Managers Agent Achievers present at the event with Fiona Dalton
Whilst the range of products and brands are all essentially Helloworld Ltd owned, you may be surprised to learn that an increasing amount of agents outside the group also sell the portfolio including the Magellan Group, Travellers Choice and Travel Managers.
Indeed five Travel Managers made the cut this year as Global Achievers with one of them making the 500 (half a million in sales) club. Coming off the back of Qantas Holidays remarkable win of ‘best supplier of the year award’ at Travel Managers recent National conference in Adelaide it’s a big rap and a testament to their reputation.
4. The power of incentives cannot be underestimated
The Global Achievers of 2015.
It’s a known fact that “What gets rewarded – gets done”
So with these kinds of rewards, you’d be nuts not to aim high and go for gold when it comes to selling this product range year on year.
Rewards and features for all agents selling the range of product includes Trip Points that can be redeemed via a personalised EFTPOS gift card that can be used at 850,000 merchants, name your own price and pay later on Readyrooms.com.au, Tiffany esque compendiums for agents clients and of course the opportunity to attend this weekends Achiever event.
8 spots on amazing 10-night famil with Rail Europe and MSC Cruises to France and the Mediterranean were also given away as a lucky door prize to everyone attending the Saturday night and two Hawaii tickets for the winners of the ‘dance off’. Check out the photos here.
And let’s not forget the ‘Race round the world’ Incentive coming up in March next year where 60 top selling agents of Qantas international and Qantas Holidays product will get to travel to San Francisco for a once in a lifetime experience around California.
5. Relationships are everything
The BDM team put on show to remember
Of course they are. But you already knew that. But clearly the Qantas Holidays and associated brand team has assembled a team of not just great operators, but great people who’s aim is to help agents succeed.
It’s rare to hear state BDM’s being cheered ever let alone as raucously as we heard on Saturday night at the Awards dinner. The bond and level of trust here is extremely strong and as Fiona Dalton quipped in her speech;
“This is a tough market right now and our competitors are hungry. Their only choice when consumer confidence is low is to chase market share and their behaviour can at times even be predatory”.
“They may lure you with short-term higher commissions or a Coles Myer voucher here or there, they may say they have re-engaged with the trade at the expense of consumer first business or they’re reliant on new technology to do so. But I know that you will agree that forging a long-term sustainable partnership with a reliable wholesale partner is a better decision than a one-night stand.”
Fiona Dalton. Head of Sales, Qantas Holidays
6. Regional Agents rule
The Inaugural National Cruise Consultant of the Year – Kerri Page, helloworld Buderim
Given that the National Cruise Consultant of the Year – Kerri Page is from helloworld Buderim and the National Consultant of the Year – Angela Kaluzyn from Skilled Travel in Ingleburn gives you a good indication of how travel business’ outside of the major cities has stayed strong in the last twelve months.
It also gives you the business insight that by focusing on your existing clients and relationships and growing them with amazing service and products versus getting caught up chasing new ones is a much more long-term strategy for success.
7. Was this the best Global Achievers ever?
How good does the room look?
Could be. Queenstown last year was crowned the title with the 150 agents but this year could have toppled it with the rewards featuring pre and post options, fantastic touring choices on Saturday and the Qantas 40’s retro inspired Awards dinner on Saturday evening an amazing experience for all.
8. See you all next year!
Who wouldn’t want to get to experience nights like this?
Whilst next years Global Achievers (international) destination is yet to be announced, you can bet your bottom dollar that the vast majority of agents that made Darwin this year will be selling hard this year, vying for the big awards and the reward of another amazing trip.
The event feels to me like any good incentive – an addiction, albeit a healthy one. With many agents I spoke to declaring that like being loyal to a good Frequent Flyer program, the rewards are so good that they often don’t consider selling rival products.
“I just love the support and the two way relationship we’ve established. There will always be challenges, but it’s how people react to them and Fiona and the team at Qantas Holidays have been amazing this year in having my back when I’ve needed it”
Samantha McCarthy. Total Travel Solutions, Sydney.
Here’s to 2016 and a year of more achievements for all!
