TravelManagers market supplier day goes ahead after two years of delays
TravelManagers held a supplier market day in Sydney recently, bringing together 36 partner suppliers and fifty personal travel managers (PTMs) for a long-anticipated opportunity to connect and catch up.
Originally scheduled to take place in June 2020, the two-year delay inflicted by the pandemic meant that there was a decidedly festive atmosphere at the event, which was held at Sydney’s Grace Hotel.
TravelManagers’ executive general manager, Michael Gazal, said the format of the day was deliberately informal, allowing attendees to focus on talking to the suppliers that were most relevant to their individual customer bases.
This approach was appreciated by suppliers and PTMs alike: by not allocating set times that each PTM could spend with a supplier, they were free to maximise their time in the way that best suited.
“I loved the fact that the event was free-form but well organised, so we were able to really connect with the suppliers, beyond just getting a product update or USP pitch,” said Nic Loisel, who is TravelManagers’ representative for Philip, ACT.
“My only regret is that the time flew by too quickly! It was a fantastic event, and it was 100 per cent worthwhile travelling up to attend. It was also great to meet a few more PTMs and some more of the National Partnership Office (NPO) team.”
Loisel’s fellow ACT-based PTM, Michael Perrone, agreed that having so many suppliers under one roof was a fantastic initiative, providing an ideal opportunity to reconnect with some he had not seen in a long time and making new connections with others.
“Despite how cold it was in Canberra, I got such a warm welcome in Sydney from the NPO team and fellow PTMs that made me feel great. I hope it will happen again – maybe even more than once a year.”
Among the suppliers to attend was Livio Goetz of Switzerland Tourism, who also appreciated the opportunity to catch up with so many PTMs in one place.
“How wonderful it was to have so many conversations about actual travel to Switzerland! The interest was huge, everyone was keen to learn more about Switzerland, and the free-flow format worked really well,” Goetz said.
NPO team has already received numerous requests to make the market day a regularly recurring event.
The importance of maintaining strong (and ideally face-to-face) relationships with suppliers was cemented for PTM Carolyn Burgmann by her catch-up with an airline partner during the day.
“I had received word from some clients that morning that they had missed a connecting flight and were facing a long delay for their replacement flight,” Burgmann said.
“It was their first major overseas experience, they were already exhausted and really just needed some reassurance.
“I mentioned our email exchange to the airline rep when we were catching up, and within minutes she had arranged for them to have access to the business class lounge at the airport where they were delayed.
“What started out as a nightmare to their dream trip turned into a great story about their experience in getting to the Big Apple.”
Gazal says suppliers were generous in their support of the market day, not only by their attendance but with the giveaways they made available to participants.
“Among the prizes on the day was a Virgin Voyages cruise for two adults from Barcelona, which will be drawn later in June. Hoot Holidays gave away a five-night stay at Le Meridian Khao Lok, a five-night stay at Phuket Marriott and a three-night stay at Warwick Fiji.”
The market day also served as an opportunity to acknowledge a number of milestones: five PTMs celebrated their five-year anniversaries with TravelManagers, while three more celebrated their ten-year anniversaries.
“We also had one of our newest PTMs in attendance, having only started with TravelManagers a couple of days earlier,” Gazal adds. “PTMs travelled to Sydney for the market day from as far away as ACT, Dubbo and Forster, while supplier Wendy Wu came all the way from London to attend.”
Gazal says the market day represents just one element of a wider programme of activity which the NPO team have planned to ensure PTMs are well informed on the post-COVID situation and tourism offerings in various destinations.
Latest News
Two thirds of Australians support introduction of tourism tax, survey reveals
Can you guess which generation was the most outraged at the news? Hint: It is exactly who you think!
“The consumer really just wanted more classic reward availability” – customers underwhelmed by Qantas FF shakeup
All this consumer wants is to sit behind someone that doesn't push their seat back to near-horizontal levels.
Aussie travellers warned of ‘significant’ visa shifts in destinations including Chile, US and Vietnam
To be honest are biggest advice for having a layover in the US, is just don't.
Profile: Delta CEO Ed Bastian
Bastian says the airline business isn't for the faint hearted. We're sure Alan Joyce would agree!
Final Call: Travel DAZE Exec early birds are about to expire
Much like the auctioneer at the hottest sale of the year, we're giving you one more chance to jump at this deal!
Forget the weekend! Experience Gold Coast launches mid-week travel campaign
Your boss might be a bit bothered if you jet off mid-week, but you'll be the envy of all of your Instagram followers.
Victorian Tourism Industry Council warns of losing tourism dollars to NSW & QLD
Trendy cafe's hidden in CBD laneways can only get so many tourism dollars, clearly!
AIME 2024 rustles up $330m for APAC economy
This figure is a 65 per cent increase on 2023, much alike The Nibbler staff's alcohol consumption.
Amex GBT to purchase CWT for $871m
It's big deals like this that get a firm handshake - hence the sore hands over at the CWT and Amex GBT offices.
Boeing cleanout: CEO, chair to go as safety crisis plagues the manufacturer
CEOs are falling thick and fast these days. We should have started up a bingo game with their headshots in the office.
Star boss resigns, admits retaining NSW casino licence unlikely under his leadership
The CEO resigned after 18 months in the role. 'Another one bites the dust' rumoured to be heard playing in Pyrmont.
Corporate Traveller swings amateur golfers around the globe for World Golf Competition
How're your golf skills? Consider yourself a Tiger Woods or often get quadruple bogeys? We take after the latter.
Corporate travellers to spend big on Melbourne F1 despite financial pressures
Part of the attraction is sick days after the event as corporate travellers suffer creaked necks and blown eardrums.
Bonza officially kicks off Gold Coast-Darwin route
The Flying Purple Thumb is back at it with another route. We swear, we're going to make this nickname stick!
South West Sydney Tourism launches Western Sydney Tourism Awards
Penrith's 3 consecutive NRL premierships wasn't enough? The people of Western Sydney could fill the trophy cabinet more!
Hotels vs. Airbnb: Industry leaders at odds over who should pay accommodation levy
There's not as much gore in the Hotels vs. Airbnb saga as there is in Alien vs. Predator, but it's just as thrilling!
Singapore Airlines revamps premium economy with new menu, amenity kit
Felt Singapore Airlines was lacking "the sauce" (as the kids say). Bolster belief in the carrier's je na sais quoi here.
Business Events Adelaide set for 20th Destination SA event
Destination SA turns 20! Hopefully it's not celebrated with vodka cruisers and vapes like most 20th birthdays.
Boeing’s woes delay massive Virgin Australia order
This delay means Virgin staffers will be without that new plane smell, inspiring us to sell it in a can.
All the winners from the 2023 Qantas Australian Tourism Awards
Somehow missed this news recently? Good thing you're subscribed to our fabulous newsletter!
Corporate international travel from Brisbane up 30% YOY: Flight Centre
Queenslanders seem keen to go somewhere that actually serves good beer! Sorry, we actually like Great Northern.
Amora Brisbane undergoes $30m remodelling, geared up for MICE offerings
When $30m goes into an amazing hotel to get it geared up for MICE offerings, that's amore!
Corporate Travel Management’s CEO Laura Ruffles steps down
CTM confirmed that Ruffles will be stepping down due to a personal health issue, effective immediately.
Qatar Airways crowned World’s Best MICE Airline at World MICE Awards
You could say Qatar Airways really 'nabbed the cheese' with this one! Alright, we'll see ourselves out...
Qantas, Jetstar & Virgin hike airfares as supplier costs inflate
Supplier increases means you'll pay more. It's like pass the parcel, but instead of getting a present, you owe money.
NSW Central Coast wins global sustainability award for promoting ecotourism at ITB
NSW Central Coast jumped the gun on St. Patricks Day and got the green celebrations going early!
PHOTOS: RuPaul’s Drag Race stars hit Kings Canyon for Priscilla’s 30th anniversary
The stars have renamed the iconic spot 'Queens Canyon'. No name change to the adjacent 'Priscilla's Crack', however.
Air NZ to suspend Auckland-Chicago route amid aircraft troubles
Sorry Kiwis, your craving for authentic deep dish pizza will go unsatiated (or you could just fly with another airline).
Tasmanian Premier promises to build the world’s largest chocolate fountain if re-elected
If only sticky 6-year-old children could vote. Then the Tassie Premier would be guaranteed a victory!
The staggering amount invested in 2022/23 Australian tourism projects revealed!
Any guesses on how much it was? We'll give you a hint: It's between $1 and $9 trillion (hope this helps).
Marriott’s Bonvoy Lounge makes it a 5-peat at Formula 1 in Melbourne
If Formula 1 is so good, then why isn't there a Formula 2? Oh there is one... Never mind.
Virgin Australia posts $236m profit, but the outgoing CEO warns of turbulence ahead
Hrdlicka warns of tough times ahead, just after announcing she's leaving. We wonder if there could be a connection!
Ascott opens new 255 room property in Central Sydney
Bored of your bedroom and want 255 new ones to try? The new Ascott property is here to solve this very specific problem!
Work and play at the Radisson RED, Auckland
We aren't going to tell you what order to work and play in, just that you should be looking to do both at Radisson Red.
Swiftonomics 101: Just how much did fans spend travelling to see Taylor Swift?
Thought you'd heard the last of Swift, huh? Not in your Wildest Dreams could Swiftomania go out of Style!
Rex posts a $13.3m turnaround for 1H24, but still at a loss
Rex is slowly making its way back to pre-pandemic form. Much like us with our sporadic attempts at exercise.