Platinum Travel Corporation threw open its doors to the travel industry in Melbourne by inviting the TIME network & guests to connect, share tales & enjoy bottomless refreshments.
“We were really spoiled by the Platinum Travel team,” said TIME’s Melbourne convener, Brett Harvey from Intrepid Travel who was referring to the generous spread laid on at Platinum’s stylish Canterbury offices.
“We’re so grateful for their generosity,” added Brett.
Ingrid Berthelesen, TIME graduate and General Manager Brand, Strategy & Partnerships at Evolution Travel Collective was MC for the night. Ingrid described her own experience in the TIME program and was pleased with the interest from aspiring new mentees.
“It’s so great to see this momentum from the travel community here. Our next Melbourne gathering is set for June, and we encourage ambitious travel and hospitality professionals to join us and learn more about this incredible industry program,” said Ingrid.
Casey Anderson from Hawthorn Travel; Ines Iniesta, Insight Vacations; Kate James from Sure Save; and Julie O’Grady from Exclusively Cruising.
Platinum Travel Corporation’s Director, Andy Buerckner, spoke about the mentoring role his father played in the careers of both he and his sister. Despite the fact that their father was a renowned travel industry figure, neither thought they’d ever work in travel.
“I wanted to be something ‘cool’ like a bungee jump operator,” said Andy. “And yet, here we are, my sister Sarah and I. Sarah is a total genius, a qualified nurse and midwife, but travel is in our DNA.”
Andy Buerckner (left) welcoming the TIME community to Platinum Travel Corporation.
Andy made a salient point about mentoring: “There’s a common misconception that a mentor has to be a financial success like Mark Bouris or Warren Buffet. Yet, my mentors would each define success quite differently.”
TIME participants find that same diversity of views, goals and priorities in their Mentors.
Iain Summers, Enablis Pty Ltd; Ingrid Berthelsen from Evolution Travel Collective; and David Hughes from UNIGLOBE Travel International at TIME.
“All our Mentors have a unique experience ready to be shared with their respective Mentees. A huge amount of insight goes into matching them for specific experience and outcomes. It’s a huge driver of TIME’s success,” says TIME program founder, Penny Spencer.
The evening’s keynote address was delivered by Pete Rawley, CEO & Founder of Evolution Travel Collective.
Intrepid’s Brett Harvey with Pete Rawley, CEO & Founder of Evolution Travel Collective.
Pete gave a brilliant run down of his travel industry career to date—an honest recollection of the ups and the downs. For Pete, the act of asking for more responsibility and learning from great leadership was key to his success.
“We can’t just give the future leaders of our industry lip service. TIME helps the industry step up and invest in the people who will lead it in years to come. Just by participating, every mentee is asking for more responsibility and receiving invaluable leadership insights. It’s such a powerful process,” said Pete.
Asha Baker from Dragoman tapping into the TIME network at Platinum Travel Corporation.
TIME’s 35th group of Mentees starts its six-month mentoring journey on 19 June 2019, with expressions of interest for that intake due by 17 May.
Travel-tourism-hospitality professionals are encouraged to follow TIME on Facebook and LinkedIn to keep up to date with what’s going on inside the industry’s premier career accelerator.
For more information, visit the website or contact Program Manager, Marie Allom at time@travelindustrymentor.com.au
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