Karryon Luxury is honoured to announce the eight inaugural members of its new Advisory Board panel.
With Karryon Luxury officially launching today, the Karryon team is excited to announce the eight inaugural members of the Karryon Luxury Advisory Board.
The inaugural members are as follows (in alphabetical order by surname):
- David Brandon, Managing Director, Savenio
- Danielle Galloway, Global Managing Director Luxury & Independent Brands, Flight Centre Travel Group; and Founder and Chairperson, Link Travel Group
- Michael Gazal, Executive General Manager, TravelManagers
- Anthony Goldman, Joint Managing Director, Goldman Travel Group; and Director, Link Travel Group
- Steve Labroski, Managing Director, itravel
- Neil Robertson, Head of Product, MTA
- Greg Treasure, General Manager, Australia/New Zealand, Virtuoso
- Melissa Warren, Group General Manager, Helloworld
The group will gather this morning at InterContinental Sydney for their first Advisory Board session.
Founder and Managing Director of Karryon, Matt Leedham, said the members has been hand-chosen as leaders who can assist Karryon on how to best inform, inspire and engage with Australia’s luxury travel trade community.
“The Karryon Luxury Advisory Board members are true stewards and guardians of luxury travel in this country,” said Leedham.
“By coming together and effectively serving as a steering committee, they will help us shape Karryon Luxury and how we best serve Australia’s luxury travel trade. Their input will have a true impact in helping us uncover what luxury travel advisors need most from their travel trade publications, and how we can best play a role in helping advisors to sell more luxury travel – which creates a thriving ecosystem for all,” said Leedham.
Katrina Holden, Karryon’s Editorial Director, Luxury added: “As leaders of agency groups and consortiums whose members live, breathe and sell luxury travel on a daily basis, I am thrilled to welcome such an esteemed group of leaders together to help us at Karryon continue to shape our ‘Together in Travel’ narrative across the fast-growing luxury segment,” said Holden.
Karryon Luxury’s new weekly email newsletter was officially launched today, sent out to a new database of luxury advisors and trade. The Karryon Luxury launch also includes new core staff members including Katrina Holden; regular cruise contributor, Sally Macmillan; and senior writer and content producer, Kirstie Bedford. The launch will be supported by a revamped and enhanced Karryon website with a dedicated ‘luxury’ hub and luxury branding, set to go live imminently.
Karryon Luxury also has exciting plans for a series of events later in the year, collaborative brand activations, and increased digital storytelling formats including video and podcasting.
Welcome to the inaugural Karryon Luxury Advisory Board members:
DAVID BRANDON
Managing Director
Savenio
With more than 40 years as a travel agent, David has a passion for luxury cruising and travel around the world. In 2009, he acquired a Travel Concepts & The Cruise Centre, and swiftly aligned the business with Virtuoso, the leading luxury Travel network worldwide.
The Savenio brand was created in 2016 to focus on its home-based business model and they have been in Australia’s top five Virtuoso agents since joining, which attests to David’s commitment and expertise in the luxury travel sector.
“I live, breathe and talk luxury travel, I can contribute my insights and perspectives to help shape the future of luxury travel sales.” David Brandon, Savenio.
DANIELLE GALLOWAY
Global Managing Director Luxury & Independent Brands
Flight Centre Travel Group
Founder and Chairperson, Link Travel Group
Flight Centre Travel Group.
Danielle Galloway is a passionate executive leader in the global travel industry with 23 years of experience, in both leisure and corporate. She is currently the Global Managing Director of the Luxury and Independent divisions for the FCTG group.
Prior to travel, Danielle was a chartered accountant with Deloitte’s and completed her CPA and CA post her university studies. Dani proudly serves as the Chairperson of the Link Travel Group, Luxury Advisory member of the Hilton & IHG Hotel Groups, and is a distinguished Board Member of AVMIN. These roles reflect her commitment to the travel industry and her dedication to making a positive impact.
Dani’s success extends beyond the professional realm, anchored by a thriving family – a loving husband and three wonderful children.
“I am delighted by the invitation to join the esteemed Karryon Luxury Advisory Board. It is an honour to collaborate with industry leaders, pooling our collective intelligence and insights to positively impact and shape the trajectory of luxury travel.” Danielle Galloway, Flight Centre Travel Group.
MICHAEL GAZAL
Executive General Manager
TravelManagers
With a career spanning more than 35 years in retail travel distribution, Michael Gazal has been the General Manager at TravelManagers Australia since 2012. A seasoned professional, he has dedicated his expertise to empowering small businesses, the lifeblood of the industry, to achieve unprecedented success.
Michael’s commitment to excellence, coupled with his deep understanding of the travel sector, has positioned him as a driving force in shaping the future of the TravelManager network in Australia.
“I was honoured to be invited onto Karryon’s Luxury Advisory Board and hope to learn much from each of the quality members on such a growing sector in our industry.” Michael Gazal, TravelManagers.
ANTHONY GOLDMAN
Joint Managing Director
Goldman Travel Group
Director, Link Travel Group
Anthony Goldman is the Joint Managing Director of Goldman Travel Group. After starting his career in travel, Anthony left the family business and forged a successful 20-year career in advertising and marketing. Anthony worked for a number of global organisations, including J Walter Thompson, Leo Burnett and Village Roadshow.
In 2012, Anthony joined his father, Tom, and brother, David, and embarked on an expansion program for Goldman Travel Group. Travel has always been in his blood, and the Goldman family is synonymous with travel in Australia. As third generation travel professionals, the Goldmans are at the forefront of travel advisory – with a mix of businesses in the corporate, leisure and cruise sectors. Companies include Goldman Travel Sydney, Travelcall, The Cruise Centre by Travelcall and SmartFlyer Australia.
Anthony is Chair of the Virtuoso Global Member Advisory Board, the first non-US based Chair, and a Director of Link Travel Group in Australia.
“I am proud to be involved with Karryon for this exciting venture. Championing the luxury travel sector is a passion of mine and we need to continue to put a focus on the people and news that make our industry so special.” Anthony Goldman, Goldman Travel Group.
STEVE LABROSKI
Managing Director
itravel
Steve Labroski’s journey in the travel industry spans more than three decades, co-founding Imperial Travel in 1995. Fuelled by a profound passion for exploration and adventure, Labroski’s vision propelled the evolution of Imperial Travel into itravel in 2009. Under his leadership, itravel has burgeoned into a powerhouse within the industry, boasting a network of 170 agents across Australia and operating under four distinct and purposeful business models.
Labroski’s innovative spirit led to the introduction of mobile services followed by launching franchise opportunities within itravel. Additionally, incorporating strategic partnerships with LiNK by itravel (affiliate members) and the creation of exclusive luxury brand LUXE by itravel (Virtuoso member) have further solidified the company’s position as a trailblazer.
Despite itravel’s remarkable success, Labroski remains humble and authentic, reflecting the values that have characterised the company since its inception. His unwavering commitment to preserving itravel’s independent spirit ensures that it continues to shine as a beacon of excellence in the travel industry.
“I am excited to join the Karryon Luxury Advisory Board and help shape the publication. I see my involvement on the board as a unique opportunity to not only contribute to the growth of Karryon Luxury, but also influence the entire landscape of luxury travel.” Steve Labroski, itravel.
NEIL ROBERTSON
Head of Product
MTA
Neil’s Industry experience spans nearly three decades across aviation, MICE, and luxury travel. He joined MTA in February 2023 as Head of Product where he leads the talented MTA Product Team ensuring the 450+ MTA members have access to the right luxury air, land, hotel, cruise and auxiliary travel products.
Prior to joining MTA, he was with Virgin Australia for 14 years where he held both state and national roles and also served on Tourism Australia’s Business Events Advisory Committee.
“The appeal for me in joining the Karryon Luxury Advisory Board is the opportunity to collaborate with passionate and experienced individuals who will share ideas and be collaborative with Karryon in growing the expertise within the luxury travel channel.” Neil Robertson, MTA.
GREG TREASURE
General Manager, Australia/New Zealand
Virtuoso
Greg is a motivated travel industry professional with more than 30 years’ experience working across international markets in senior executive leadership roles with HRG Travel throughout Australia, Asia Pacific, North America and Latin America. Previous appointments included Managing Director of HRG Australia; General Manager, HRG Hong Kong; and Managing Director, American Express Global Business Travel.
He has a strong commercial acumen developed in competitive and diverse environments, and is celebrated as a natural leader with a proven track record in achieving organisational goals. Treasure is based at Virtuoso’s Sydney office and reports to Virtuoso’s Senior Vice President of Global Operations, Michael Londregan.
“I am delighted to be joining the Karryon Luxury Advisory Board. Through my involvement on the advisory board, I intend to champion the profound impact of human connection within our industry. I eagerly anticipate collaborating with esteemed colleagues to shape the trajectory of luxury travel, enhance client experiences, and ensure sustained growth and prosperity for the sector as a whole” Greg Treasure, Virtuoso.
MELISSA WARREN
Group General Manager
Helloworld
Melissa is a highly experienced marketing and communications professional with more than 20 years’ experience in the travel industry. Her professional journey began as a travel advisor – her dedication combined with good fortune has allowed her to work in several locations across the globe and in varied roles.
Melissa is seen as a resourceful executive level manager, an inspirational leader and a positive disrupter. She has proven success in delivering results in high growth environments by building and motivating high performance teams, expanding market share, increasing profitability, and leading through change.
“I’m excited to be a part of the Karryon Luxury Advisory Board as I’m looking at this as an opportunity to define ‘what is luxury travel’ and how do we present this to the industry in a way that makes it relatable and relevant.” Melissa Warren, Helloworld.
