TravelManagers’ 2018 annual national conference, consisting of three days of inspiring presentations, informative workshops, exciting announcements and entertaining activities, concluded in Hawaii on Sunday evening, local time, with their customary gala awards dinner.
The Prince Waikiki, located at the northern end of Honolulu’s most famous beach, has acted as home base for the duration of the conference, so it was fitting that the awards dinner should take place in the hotel’s fabulous Prince Waikiki Pi’inaio Ballroom.
TravelManagers’ Executive General Manager, Michael Gazal, explained that personal travel managers (PTMs) received awards in a range of categories, including Top New PTM, Most Improved PTM and Top PTM (all three of which were awarded by state and overall).
One of the evening’s big winners was Sally Seward, who was awarded Top PTM for South Australia and Western Australia, as well as one of the Top Ten PTMs overall: an accomplishment that Gazal says was made even more remarkable given it was her first year with Travel Managers.
As a result, Seward, who is representative for Cottesloe, WA, earned awards for Top New PTM her state and nationally as well.
“Having joined TravelManagers in late 2016 and having started trading in 2017 after 32 years as an agency owner, the TravelManagers business model has provided me with the freedom and flexibility to focus on looking after my clients, without being responsible for the other demands of a traditional bricks and mortar agency,” Seward explains.
Proud recipient of Suppliers’ Choice Award Julieanne Gazal (centre) with Marlene Lane and Tania Myles
Another PTM to take home multiple awards was Tanya Tyler, representative for Riverview, NSW, who received awards for Most Improved PTM for both her state and nationwide. Tyler, who returned to the travel industry after a five-year absence, had to establish her own new database from scratch.
Dedication Award winners: PTMs recognised for achieving 10 years in Partnership with TravelManagers are PTMs Ric Pattaro, Sue Kuti, Nicole Edgar, (Michael Gazal NPO), Aileen Collins, Maria Miller, Alma Araullo, Trina Rynehart.
“As a goal-oriented person, Tanya started out by setting daily commission targets to write. That target has increased three-fold over the past two years: an achievement which has been key to her success,” says Gazal.
Natalie Miller, representative for Belmont, NSW, made the move to TravelManagers despite her concerns around having to learn completely new systems. Her willingness to embrace the challenge of those changes, and her reputation as one of the most helpful PTMs in the network, earned her the Recognition Award.
PTM Rebecca Tiedgen receives Denise Dean Advocate Award presented by Karen Dowling (right) and Suzanne Laister (left)
Another of TravelManagers’ Top Ten PTMs for 2017 was David Hull, representative for Mount Martha, VIC, who left his role as a travel agency owner with a staff of twelve to join TravelManagers in 2011.
“David is a highly successful agent who has embraced the lifestyle choices made possible by a career with TravelManagers,” says Gazal. “He’s able to balance the demands of work with taking his son to and from school, keeping fit and enjoying plenty of family holidays, but always has time to share his highly-valuable knowledge and experience with his colleagues.”
PTM Natalie Miller (left) is thrilled to receive her ‘Recognition’ Award from Operations Manager Pru Gallagher.
Cassandra Zayonce was the winner of the Choice Award, which is chosen by the PTM network and specifically recognises a fellow PTM for their willingness to help their peers.
TMA Choice Award: Jose Canas awards PTM Cassandra Zayonce (right) TravelManagers’ Choice Award
“This award also reflects also Cassandra’s professionalism and her dedication to upholding the TravelManagers brand and culture,” Gazal adds.
Celebrating Top 10 PTMs (from left to right) Grant Campbell (NPO), Peter Carmichael, Ric Pattaro, John Lengacher, Julie Gazal-Rizk, David Hull, James Hermiston, & Tanyu Cilek (NPO). Absent: Sally Seward, Matthew Collins, Luke Vaughan, Simon Tinkler
The winner of this year’s Spirit Award, Tanya Patterson, took home the Choice Award in 2017 and the Advocate Award in 2016, making her the only PTM to have achieved this hat-trick of accolades.
“Tanya is a great representative and advocate for TravelManagers,” says Gazal. “She’s always enthusiastic and happy to assist other PTMs, and frequently reaches out to new PTMs to ensure they are going well.”
Joe Araullo (left) congratulates PTM of the Year David Hull
At the end of the awards section of the gala dinner, the entire TravelManagers team of PTMs and the NPO team were thanked for their continued hard work, dedication and commitment.
With next year’s annual national conference confirmed for 9-11 August in Perth, Gazal says the company is already looking forward to celebrating what looks set to be another record-breaking year.
Joe Araullo (left) congratulates PTM of the Year David Hull
For more information or to speak to someone confidentially about TravelManagers please contact Suzanne Laister on 1800 019 599.
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