It’s here! The National Travel Industry Awards (NTIAs) weekend is upon us, promising an even bigger celebration of innovation, collaboration and service excellence in 2024. So, who’s ready to cheer their peers and toast the best of the best? Let the countdown begin.
After heading to Melbourne last year, the NTIAs return to The International Convention Centre (ICC) in Sydney, promising another glitzy and unforgettable night.
As the industry’s highly acclaimed ‘Night of Nights,’ this year’s Australian Travel Industry Association (ATIA) NTIA Awards promises to captivate attendees with an even more exciting and expansive lineup of events.
This year, the proceedings begin with the added thought-provoking Beyond Borders Travel Summit and the Finalist Celebration on Friday, followed by the big night of recognition on Saturday evening.
Ready to celebrate with the best of them? Here’s everything you need to know about what’s coming up this weekend.
Friday: ATIA’s Beyond Borders Travel Summit
This year’s inaugural Beyond Borders Travel Summit, which kicks off the weekend on an insightful note on Friday, October 25, will set the stage for forward-thinking discussions that will shape the future of the travel industry.
Held at The ICC Sydney from 9 am to 5 pm, the summit will bring together industry leaders to address the most significant challenges and opportunities facing the travel sector today. The event features a full day of dynamic sessions and connections covering emerging trends and innovations, from sustainability to digital transformation and outlining the journey ahead for travel advisors.
ATIA CEO Dean Long said, “Beyond Borders is not merely an event; it is a collaborative summit that unifies industry veterans and upcoming professionals, fostering discussions on innovation and growth.”
“It’s a unique opportunity to gain insights, network, and exchange knowledge as we shape our industry’s future together.”
Keynote speakers on the day feature some of the biggest names in the travel industry, including Graham ‘Skroo’ Turner, CEO of Flight Centre Limited; Phillipa Harrison, Managing Director, Tourism Australia; Gai Tyrrell, Managing Director Asia Pacific of Globus Family of Brands; Adam Schwab, Co-Founder & CEO,
Luxury Escapes; Katrina Barry, CEO of Webjet B2C; and Brett Mitchell, Managing Director of Intrepid Travel Australia and New Zealand, plus many more.
For more details, tickets, and the full agenda, visit the official Beyond Borders Travel Summit website here.
Friday evening: Celebrity hangs at Madame Tussauds for the NTIA 2024 Finalist Celebration
After a day of inspiration at the Beyond Borders Travel Summit, invited finalists can let their hair down on Friday night from 6 pm until 9 pm at the NTIA 2024 Finalist Celebration at Madame Tussauds, just next door in Darling Harbour.
Major Sponsor Viking will host the intimate and fun event, where award contenders can mix and mingle with the likes of Chris Hemsworth, Harry Styles, Ryan Gosling, Taylor Swift, Batman and no doubt a few marauding Vikings, oh, and ATIA CEO Dean Long (in real life no less!).
Viking Managing Director ANZ Michelle Black said the Viking team is excited to sponsor the NTIA Finalist Celebration again this year.
“It’s an opportunity for us to celebrate the best of the best across our industry in a unique way. Rest assured, it won’t just be the waxed celebrities and heroes in the spotlight. Expect an evening of distinctive Viking fun, along with surprises around every corner,” she said.
For more details on the NTIA 2024 Finalist Celebration at Madame Tussauds, click here.
Saturday evening: The NTIA 2024 Awards
Did somebody say, “It’s Showtime?” Saturday night sees the main event of the NTIA weekend: the much-anticipated 2024 Australian Travel Industry Awards ceremony. This year, Sydney’s ICC will play host to the crème de la crème of the Australian travel industry.
The sold-out black-tie event, which runs from 5.30 pm until 11.00 pm, will bring together top travel brands, agencies, and the very best advisors to recognise and celebrate excellence across 38 award categories.
Yet again, NTIA 2024 has seen fierce competition for finalist spots, with record nominees for this year’s gongs and the contenders initially revealed in August.
View the complete list of NTIA 2024 finalists here.
In addition to the judged categories, this year’s awards will also again include the coveted People’s Choice Award, chosen by Australian travellers who nominated their favourite ATAS-accredited travel brands, including retail and online agencies, tour operators and cruise lines.
The Awards ceremony and evening itself will be a lavish affair with over thirteen hundred guests treated to a gourmet dinner, live entertainment, and plenty of surprises, emceed by returning comedian Anthony “Lehmo” Lehmann.
Look out, too, for the Red Carpet Arrival Experience, sponsored this year by the Singapore Tourism Board, which has pledged a “unique and immersive Singapore experience” to welcome guests as they arrive.
Saturday night into Sunday morning: The NTIA 2024 After-Party
Of course, no NTIAs are complete without an after-party. Following the main event, which finishes at 11 pm, guests will be invited to head to an exclusive venue (TBC) for the official NTIA after-party, where the celebrations, dancing and high emotions will no doubt continue late into the night.
CVFR Travel Group is the sponsor for this year’s late-night shindig, which will be held at The Darling Pavillion, next door to the ICC, from 11:30 until 2am.
For the complete list of ATIA NTIA 2024 sponsors, click here.
Head here for more details on the NTIA 2024 Gala Awards and Beyond Borders Travel Summit.
On behalf of all of us at Karryon, congratulations to all of the finalists on their outstanding achievements. We wish you all the best for the big night and can’t wait to celebrate with you all.
Karryon is incredibly proud to be an official media partner again for this year’s NTIA weekend. Many of the Karryon team will be there at the events, so keep an eye out for us, and please come and say hello. See you there!
