Like an entertaining, educational and emotional blur, another three-day conference flew by for TravelManagers in Darwin this weekend.
The annual event kicked off in full laughter-mode on Thursday, as an entire hall of consultants Y.M.C.A’d, Gangnam Style’d and even Party Rock Anthem’d for the guys in head office.
This enthusiasm followed nearly 400 attendees (personal travel managers and suppliers) to Mindil Markets where they saw an incredible Darwin sunset, ate to their heart’s content and obviously, drank.
As the sun rose on day two, so too did consultants who were keen to get the formalities underway through workshops, supplier meetings and talks from directors as well as their peers.
Following an information-packed day, Travel Agents unwound at a special ‘ONE’ themed evening at Darwin’s popular Pee Wee’s restaurant where they were served a crocodile-based menu, petted snakes and met Juan Direction (click here for pics).
On day three, home-based consultants stepped out of the conference hall for a 7km charity walk.
The group raised some $8,000 for ‘Helping People Achieve’, a non government organisation providing services to Territorians with an intellectual, physical or mental disability (click here for pics from the community event).
Agents returned red-faced and sweaty, but ready to hear from Red Balloon Founder and keynote speaker, Naomi Simson before learning where they’d be heading for the 2018 conference… click here to find out.
Consultants then rushed back to their rooms and quickly changed into their finest evening wear for a Gala Dinner under the stars at Darwin’s SkyCity Casino.
During the award ceremony, House of Travel’s Joe Aurello and TravelManagers’ Michael Gazal, praised Agents on being ‘stars’ who support and appreciate each other like a family.
“We have a lot of stars here tonight, from our supplier partners to every one of our personal travel managers through to the travel managers’ partners here tonight.”
Michael Gazal, TravelManagers Executive General Manager
Then just before an incredible fireworks display, the group revealed the winners of the TravelManagers 2017 Awards, and they are…
Dedication Award (TravelManagers who have been with the company for 10 years)
Kim Mason
Samantha Cox
Julie Smith
Di Yates
Penny Meallin
Tracy Cosgriff
Lauren Compton
Michelle Michael-Pecora
Debra Bean
Jane Fowler
Lyn Tyson
Dedication Award for NPO
Maria San Pascual
Pru Gallagher
Tanyu Cilek
Online Marketing Award
Sue Kuti
Best New PTM by State
WA/SA: Monika Southern
VIC/TAS: Giulia Gentiluomo
QLD: Anthony Lee
NSW/ACT: Emma Rowan Kelly
National: Anthony Lee
Partner Supplier of the Year
Hoot Holidays
Best Local Area Marketing Activity
Erin Beckford
Advocate Award
Denise Dean
Most Improved by State
WA: Barbara Turner
VIC/TAS: Luke Vaughan
QLD: Simon Tinkler
NSW/ACT: Julianne Gazal-Rizk
National: Simon Tinkler
TravelManager Support Award
Gary Jensen
Tania Myles
Recognition Award
Tanya Tyler
Top Personal Travel Managers
WA/SA: Barbara Turner
VIC/TAS: Luke Vaughan
QLD: Simon Tinkler
NSW/ACT: Ric Pattaro
Most Proactive Marketer
Gayle Dawson
Choice Award
Tania Patterson
Spirit Award
Erryn Morris
Top 10 Personal Travel Managers
Kylie Luttrell
Jean-Pierre Boutefeu
Luke Vaughan
John Lengacher
David Hull
Ric Pattaro
Barbara Turner
Simon Tinkler
James Hermiston
Julianne Gazal-Rizk
Personal Travel Manager of 2017
Simon Tinkler