A fun-filled evening of anecdotes, dancing and awards has marked the APT Travel Group’s 90-year journey from suburban bus line to leading cruise and tour operator.
Dancers performing 1920s style numbers and stories from ATG owners the McGeary family were highlights of the glittering gala, which was held at Melbourne’s Regent Plaza Ballroom on Friday night.
Television personality Larry Emdur swung into action as surprise MC for the evening, entertaining guests including ATG Platinum and Diamond VIP members, ATG owners the McGeary family, Group Managing Director Chris Hall and the company’s executive, and industry and media partners.
ATG Group MD Chris Hall, Exec GM Global Marketing & Sales Debra Fox, Gala MC Larry Emdur and Commerical Manager Retail Susan Haberle
Meanwhile APT ambassador and acclaimed chef Luke Nguyen presented the awards during a special ceremony to recognise ATG’s top performing VIP agents for 2016.
APT Ambassador Luke Nguyen and partner Lynne
APT Travel Group Executive General Manager Sales & Marketing Debra Fox thanked VIP agents and industry partners for their help in making the evening a night to remember.
“It was great to see so many familiar faces, and some new ones, in Melbourne to help us celebrate what is a remarkable milestone,” she said.
“We also want congratulate our winning agents. Their passion for sharing our story with their clients continues to make a real difference for us.”
Among the award winners, Helen Paulus from Geelong Travel was named ATG’s national Highest Selling Consultant 2016, having sold the highest dollar amount of APT and Travelmarvel product in the 2016 calendar year.
The national award for Highest Sales Revenue – Single Location Agency went to Geelong Travel, while the national award for Highest Revenue – Multi-location Agency went to Phil Hoffmann Travel.
Phil Hoffmann of Phil Hoffmann Travel (winner of Highest Sales Revenue 2016 – Multi Location) , Geoff McGeary and ATG Group MD Chris Hall
ATG Group MD Chris Hall, Vic State Sales Manager Scott Ellis, Helen Paulus from Geelong Travel (winner Highest Selling Consultant 2016 plus two other awards) and Geoff McGeary
The National Award for Highest Sales Revenue for an online agency went to Our Vacation Centre.
John Williams from Our Vacation Centre (WInner of Highest Sales Revenue 2016 – Online)
ATG Rising Star Awards, which were awarded to agencies who showed outstanding growth in sales in 2016, went to helloworld Mackay (QLD), St Ives Travel (NSW/ACT) Flight Centre Eastland (Vic/Tas) and helloworld Belmont (WA/SA/NT).
The ATG Sales Team
For more information about ATG’s VIP program contact the ATG Inside Sales team on Inside Sales on 1300 668 298 or see your local business development manager.