TravelManagers’ 2018 conference in Honolulu has concluded with a Gala awards dinner, the announcement of next year’s conference venue, and an amazing address by someone described accurately as “a real-life superwoman and the most inspirational person we’ve ever had”.
That description (by TravelManagers executive general manager, Michael Gazal) referred to Turia Pitt, whose keynote presentation was spellbinding, moving and inspiring to all who heard it.
Pitt is famously known for rebuilding her life since suffering burns to over 65% of her body after being trapped by a grassfire which swept through the Kimberley region, where she was competing in a 100 kilometre race, in 2011.
The former model and fitness enthusiast – and mining engineer and science graduate – suffered burns to 65% of her body, the worst burns doctors had ever seen. She has now done what seemed unthinkable seven years ago, is living life to the full and has released her memoir ‘Everything to Live For’.
TravelManagers’ Personal Travel Managers (PTMs) found Pitt a wonderful speaker, a down-to-earth woman with a no-nonsense attitude who’s handling life well and is delighted with her eight-month-old son – and is planning another child.
From left: Janis McDonald and Gillian Hayward from Hawaiian Airlines, with Maral Karboushian from Wendy Wu Tours
House of Travel Australia chief executive, Joe Araullo, said later that Pitt often spoke to big corporate functions, and she found some of those pretty formal. TravelManagers was a refreshing contrast. Pitt met many of the PTMs and was happy to be photographed afterwards as they enjoyed the evening.
Perhaps the laid-back Hawaiian vibe helped – but TravelManagers’ conferences always feel less formal than other such events. Rather than the hierarchical structure of a corporation, TravelManagers consists of hundreds of sole traders, working in travel around Australia, who get to meet in person once a year. Many of the PTMs have joined TravelManagers precisely because they don’t want to be in a nine-to-five existence, facing the strictures and office politics that often accompany working for a corporation.
Keynote speaker Turia Pitt with TravelManagers PTMs
AND NEXT YEAR’S CONFERENCE VENUE WILL BE… (contenders were said to be Brisbane, Cairns, Coober Pedy, Hunter Valley, Hobart and Perth). And the winner… Perth!
It was another popular choice. TravelManagers alternates between onshore and offshore conferences. Before Hawaii came Darwin.
The day ended with a glittering gala awards night, preceded by welcome drinks and followed by an after party that went on well into the morning in the Prince Waikiki’s famous 100 Sails Restaurant and Bar.
AND NOW, THE AWARD WINNERS:
Dedication Award “Celebrating 10 years in partnership”
In the running (nominees): Heather Taylor, Cathy Moir, Aileen Collins, Sue Kuti, Pamela Edwards, Nicole Edgar, Alma Araullo, Simone Fraser, Stephanie Fung, Alison Johnson, Allan Roser, Moira de Vos, Ric Pattaro, Agatha Vicario, Beverly Burt, Kylie Cilek, Allen Suss, Trina Rynehart, Ken Simpson, Penny Hall, Melinda Rowe, Maria Miller, Rebecca Dibbs, Tania McGuire, Jo Ainscough
Winners (attending): Aileen Collins, Sue Kuti , Nicole Edgar, Alma Araullo, Ric Pattaro, Maria Miller Trina Rynehart
Most Successful Marketing Campaign
Winner (attending): Jo Patton
New Personal Travel Manager WA/SA
In the running (nominees): Annabelle Farley, Joanne McWilliams, Sally Seward, Stacey Lekias
Winner (attending): Sally Seward
New Personal Travel Manager VIC/TAS
In the running (nominees): Alyssa Pretorius, Jack Sartor, Kate Bevan, Samantha Harman
Winner (attending): Samantha Harman
New Personal Travel Manager QLD
In the running (nominees): Terri Dillon, Mark Knight, Shannon Walford, Nicole Cocks.
Winner (attending): Shannon Walford
New Personal Travel Manager NSW/ACT
In the running (nominees): Andrew Hallinan, Belinda Le Breton, Jo Patton, Michelle Lehn
Winner (attending): Michelle Lehn
New Personal Travel Manager 2018
Winner (attending): Sally Sew
Partner Supplier
In the running (nominees): Excite Holidays, Qantas Holidays, Rooms XML, Wild Earth Travel, Hoot Holidays, APT
Winner: Hoot Holidays
Denise Dean Advocate Award
In the running (nominees): Dana Brown, Danielle Goncalves, Sue Wright, Rebecca Tiedgen, Mark Knight, Kathy Millett, Teresa Reyes, Corinne Mutz
Winner (attending): Rebecca Tiedgen
Most Improved PTM WA/SA
In the running (nominees): Fabiana Lorenzon, Hillary Packer, Kathy Millett, Michelle Smith
Winner (attending): Hillary Packer
(Click on pics below to enlarge)
Most Improved PTM VIC/TAS
In the running (nominees): Anna Campo, Ian Greenwood, Katy Hurd, Matthew Collins
Winner (attending): Anna Campo
Most Improved PTM QLD
In the running (nominees): Anna Curran, Kerry Cleasby, Maria Pandalai, Patty Poutanen
Winner (attending): Anna Curran
Most Improved PTM NSW/ACT
In the running (nominees): Deahann Urqueza, Louise McCarthy, Merran Wiggins, Tanya Tyler
Winner (attending): Tanya Tyler
Most Improved PTM National 2018
Winner (attending): Tanya Tyler
Recognition Award
In the running (nominees): James Hermiston, Natalie Miller, Mark Devers, Carli Hester
Winner (attending): Natalie Miller
TravelManagers Support Award
In the running (nominees): Tania Myles, Pru Gallagher, Rebecca Owen, Ozlem Tuncay
Winner (attending): Tania Myles
Top Personal Travel Manager WA/SA
In the running (nominees): Annabelle Farley, Barbara Turner, Carl Retschlag, Sally Seward
Winner (attending): Sally Seward
Top Personal Travel Manager VIC/TAS
In the running (nominees): David Hull, John Lengacher, Luke Vaughan, Matthew Collins
Winner (attending): David Hull
Top Personal Travel Manager QLD
In the running (nominees): James Hermiston, Maria Pandalai, Sara Birtwhistle, Simon Tinkler
Winner (attending): Simon Tinkler
Top Personal Travel Manager NSW/ACT
In the running (nominees): Julianne Gazal-Rizk, Maria Miller, Peter Carmichael, Ric Pattaro
Winner (attending): Julianne Gazal-Rizk
Supplier Choice Award
In the running (nominees): Julianne Gazal -Rizk, Peter Carmichael, John LaBella, Cathy Moir, Annalize Troost
Winner (attending): Julianne Gazal -Rizk
Choice Award
In the running (nominees): Debra Deane, Tanya Patterson, Rachael Portelli, Cassandra Zayonce
Winner (attending): Cassandra Zayonce
Spirit Award
Winner (attending): Tanya Patterson
Personal Travel Manager Top 10
David Hull, Luke Vaughan, Sally Seward, Simon Tinkler, John Lengacher, James Hermiston, Julianne Gazal-Rizk, Ric Pattaro, Matthew Collins, Peter Carmichael
Personal Travel Manager of the Year 2018
Winner (attending): David Hull
Written by Peter Needham
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