Travellers Choice will greet a record number of delegates to its Annual Shareholders’ Conference in Melbourne this weekend, with attendance up for both travel agents and the group’s suppliers.
With close to 300 delegates due to arrive at the five-star Pullman Melbourne Albert Park on November 20, Travellers Choice CEO Christian Hunter says that overall numbers have increased by almost 20%, reflecting not just a rise in the number of agency outlets represented but a trend for stores to send multiple delegates.
“We have seen particularly strong support from our members this year, with a growing number taking several staff members to the conference and some travelling with their entire team to Melbourne,” says Hunter.
Jacqueline Wilson-Smith
Among them will be Moss Vale Cruise & Travel, whose owner Anni Baillieu says the conference provides a valuable morale boost and an opportunity for busy staff to step back from their day-to-day work and consider “the bigger picture”.
“In particular it helps everyone better understand what the group is trying to achieve in terms of our preferred sales,” says Baillieu. “It’s also a chance to meet suppliers in an engaging environment that is quite different from a typical supplier function because the focus is solely on Travellers Choice.”
Anni Baillieu, Owner, Moss Vale Cruise & Travel
This year’s Conference will see a 12% increase in the number of supplier delegates – a development that Hunter believes demonstrates the strength of the bond between the national retail group and its valued partners.
“We are continuing to work more closely than ever before with our members to optimise support for our key suppliers and there is no doubt they appreciate our efforts,” says Hunter.
“At the same time, I think many are taking the opportunity to join with members as we celebrate our recent win as Best Agency Group at the prestigious 2015 National Travel Industry Awards.”
Leigh Matthews
Samuel Johnson
This year’s Conference, which takes place from November 20-22, will feature popular actor and breast cancer research fundraiser Samuel Johnson, Australian Rules legend ‘Lethal’ Leigh Matthews, “disruptive innovation” advocate Jacqueline Wilson-Smith and Master of Ceremonies Andrew Daddo.
The 2015 Conference will be followed by the Travellers Choice Cruise Forum, which will this year be held onboard P&O Cruises’ new Pacific Eden.