ALOHA ? PERSONAL TRAVEL MANAGERS! There’s around 15 days left until you hop on a Hawaiian Airlines plane and fly straight towards paradise – Hawaii – for three days of wackiness, laughter, learning and… drinking.
TravelManagers’ annual conference is right around the corner (17-19 August) and in case you didn’t catch it in the opening sentence, Oahu in Hawaii, specifically the Prince Waikiki Luxury Hotel, will play host to the highly anticipated gathering of mobile personal travel managers (PTMs).
So excited are consultants about their Hawaiian conference, that according to TravelManagers’ Executive General Manager, Michael Gazal, the reaction to registrations this year was strong and nearly 300 PTMs and suppliers have booked to attend.
“It’s [Hawaii] been a very popular choice, and not surprisingly. Hawaii is a dream destination, whether you’re visiting for business or pleasure, and we have some outstanding locations and activities lined up.”
Michael Gazal, TravelManagers Executive General Manager
It’s going to be great, and it’s going to be a ‘success’ because that is the theme of the 2018 TravelManagers Conference.
Unless the aqua gods are listening in on PTM prayers, we don’t expect Hawaiian actor Jason Momoa will be there, but here are nine things we do expect at TravelManagers’ 2018 Conference:
1. QUIRKY LEADERS
From Juan Direction to Bruno Mars – those guys in the National Partnerships Office love to play dress up and we can’t wait to see what costumes they pull out of the closet for Agents in 2018. Honestly, we wouldn’t be surprised if Joe Aurello and Michael Gazal turned up to the welcome party in coconut bras (#allwithlove).
2. BUT ALSO, USEFUL LEADERS
As well as entertaining consultants with their hula skirts, the National Partnership Office (NPO) will no doubt update consultants on some of the advancements they’ve made over the last year (such as refreshed individual Agent sites) and reveal new ones launching in the near future.
For the first time this year, consultants will hear from Tania Myles – Digital Marketing Support – who’ll share her personal journey within the business, including the many online developments she’s contributed to.
3. SOMEBODY IS GOING TO DO A FLASH MOB
The National Partnerships Office (NPO) retired from ‘spontaneous’ group dances last year, giving Agents a chance to pay them back for years of watching ‘hot, hot damn’ performances.
Maybe it’ll be the supplier partners who put on a show in Hawaii… any bets?
4. EPIC ONE LINERS
Remember that time Corrine Mutz from South Australia made it very clear how she felt about the competition? It went something along the lines of… “you don’t want to go to the other guys because trust me, they’re just no f#cking good.”
We’re expecting that kind of brilliance and more. Of course, no pressure to…
5. TRAVEL AGENTS ON STAGE
Who better to learn how to become a successful mobile personal travel manager than from people who actually are successful. These PTMs will fight through their fear of public speaking to share their knowledge with peers in the hopes of boosting the entire group. Click here for some great tips from last year.
Among the PTMs sharing their stories and tips this year are Nakita Byrne, Sue Kuti, Erin Ross, Josh Faddoul, Mark Elevato as well as Michelle Schultz and Julie Painter, who’ll take the stage together.
Looking forward to it ladies & gents.
6. AN INSPIRING CHAT WITH TURIA PITT
For those who don’t know, Turia is an ex-model, fitness junkie and successful mining engineer whose life was turned upside down at 24 when she became trapped in a grass fire while competing in a 100km ultramarathon.
We’ve already got goosebumps.
She was choppered out of the remote desert barely alive, with full thickness burns to 65 percent of her body. Renowned for her pure grit, indomitable spirit and passion for humanitarian work, Turia has gone on to thrive in the ultimate story of triumph over adversity.
7. AND A LIFE-LESSON FROM CHRIS PAULSEN
You may have heard him speak in the past and you know how completely entertaining yet motivational his story is. Returning to the TravelManagers Conference stage in 2018 is Chris Paulsen, the founder of New Zealand-based House of Travel (aka the company that put TravelManagers Australia on the road to success in November 2007).
8. A SPECIAL TRIBUTE
On a softer note: TravelManagers lost two of their own eight months ago, Denise Dean and, Leah Boyd just a week ago. We expect TravelManagers will hold a small tribute for these beautiful souls.
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