The Big Cheese with Tara Raj

The Big Cheese with Tara Raj

We chat to the trade events executive of Gold Coast Business Events.

The great thing about my job is… creating memorable events in a destination that lives up to its promise of sun, sand, incredible venues  and pure fun.

The challenge for industry is… finding new and fresh ideas – always on the look out for ways to raise the bar on the last event.

My greatest achievement is… leaving India to travel to a country without knowing a single soul  and making something of myself in my new home. I could not have been in a better place than where I am right now – love my Gold Coast.

The biggest thing in MICE this year will be… the constant growth and creation of mobile apps whether it is the passport app for your boarding pass, app for booking an uber, events and meeting schedulars….. we are living on a cloud – an e-cloud.

I try to relax by… singing and grooving, can do this anytime and anywhere.

I don’t understand why… it is hard for people in big cities to say hello and smile – this was the first thing that I fell in love with 12 years ago on the Gold Coast – a complete stranger saying G’day on the street.

My favourite venue is… Point Danger – the number of times I have spotted whales while sitting on the cliff is unbelievable.

I’ve always wanted to travel to… Spain, Tasmania, South Africa, Champagne. I have the travel bug and it is a beautiful world.

I am scared to death of… snakes – I found out after I had made the move that Australia has the biggest and scariest **shivers**

I can’t live without… Music and books.

I really wish I had… Dumbledore’s wand to create some awesome themed events – all with a flick of the wand.

If I could invite four people to a dinner party, they’d be… Angelina Jolie, Jonathan Thurston, J. K Rowling and Justin Timberlake – quatro made up of a strong individual and a firm believer of whats right and wrong, a  well grounded perfectionist, an imaginative mind and a good looking groover… what more would a girl want?

For anyone starting out in the industry one piece of advice I’d give would be …. Believe in yourself and love what you do. If you’re passionate about your job, it’s not really like work at all.

Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au

Big Cheese

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