The Annual General Meeting of the Council of Australian Tour Operators was held last Thursday, 25 June with a record eleven nominations vying for six vacant Board positions.
In what are clear signs of CATO’s rising prominence within its accelerating membership and the wider travel industry, this year’s annual general meeting saw a record eleven nominations for six vacant board positions.
“Just a few years ago we struggled to fill board positions. So, to have a record-breaking field of high-quality candidates seeking to join the board now is absolutely fantastic. It speaks to how engaged the members are and how important CATO membership has become, especially during this COVID crisis,” said CATO’s Managing Director, Brett Jardine.
Jardine asserted that, as an organisation, CATO gives every member a voice and, vitally, every member has an equal opportunity be on the board and make a real difference to the land-supply sector and the travel industry more broadly.
Four CATO Board Members are mid-way through their two-year term including current Chair, Dennis Bunnik, along with Brett Mitchell (Intrepid Group), Amanda McCann (Collette) and Julie King (Julie King & Associates).
Liz Anderson, Managing Director at Sundowners Overland was elected unopposed as CATO’s Vice-Chair for the next two years.
David Walker, Managing Director – Son’n’Ski Holidays, has been returned by CATO members to his third consecutive term on the CATO Board.
“The four other successful nominees who will be joining the CATO Board for the next two years are all new-comers and include a strong line-up of youth, capability, and experience from a cross-section of our membership,” said CATO Managing Director, Brett Jardine.
The four new CATO Board Member appointments are:
- Aaron Zoanetti, Associate Partner – Pointon Partners Lawyers
- Lisa Pagotto, Founder & Director – Crooked Compass
- Brad McDonnell, Chief Executive Officer – Entire Travel Group
- Peter Douglas, Head of Sales at the Globus Family of Brands
Board members ending their term at this time are Halina Kubica – Greece & Mediterranean Travel; Matt Cameron Smith – AAT Kings; and Justine Waddington – Encounter Travel.
Acknowledging the efforts of the council’s departing board members, Jardine said, “The CATO board is a very active one, and I would like to thank the outgoing board members deeply for their considerable contribution and input to CATO.”
The Council of Australian Tour Operators (CATO) is the representative body for Tour Operators and Wholesalers that supply travel product for Australians travelling to domestic and international destinations.
Membership of the Council of Australian Tour Operators (CATO) is a hallmark of competence and integrity with CATO inspiring members to deliver innovative and sustainable travel.
For more information about CATO and its members, visit www.cato.travel
READ: Standing Together Is Better Than Standing Alone: Dennis Bunnik, CATO
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