Australian digital music distribution and artist services platform GYROstream has been named the recipient of Flight Centre Business Travel’s 2024 Corporate Travel Grant, a significant boost to helping independent artists and labels achieve global success.

Co-founders Andy Irvine and Viv Mellish expressed their excitement at the Corporate Travel Grant final pitching event in Brisbane: “GYROstream stands for ‘Get Your Record Out,’ and we help independent artists take their music to the world. We distribute artists globally on all the major streaming platforms while they retain their independence.

“Building our team and networks globally from our Brisbane base provides some challenges. We also need to be on the ground to build this presence and to become one of the biggest net exporters of Australian music. This travel grant will greatly help to build those networks so we can promote our artists globally.”

GYROstream emerged victorious over other impressive finalists, including environmentally sustainable magnesium producer Latrobe Magnesium, accessible information digital platform Cérge, sports media company Forever Network, and premium infant formula manufacturer Mumamoo.

To apply for the $30,000 Corporate Travel Grant, SMEs had to answer three questions online about how winning the grant would help them achieve their goals and ensure they were signed up for Virgin Australia’s Business Flyer program.

Flight Centre Business Travel selected the top five entries from over 400 received, flying representatives from each finalist organization to its Global Head Office in Brisbane. There, they presented their pitches in detail to the selection panel, consisting of Candice Marsh, Flight Centre Business Travel Regional GM, QLD & WA; Megan Henderson, Flight Centre Global Brand Experience Leader; and Shanika Ekanayake, General Manager of Virgin Australia’s SME program, Virgin Australia Business Flyer.

Flight Centre Business Travel’s Global General Manager Cameron Harris expressed delight at the number and quality of applicants from various industries for this year’s grant.

“It was extremely difficult for our judges to separate these five amazing finalists,” Mr. Harris said. “We’re thrilled to bring these opportunities to support SMEs and understand, as a travel partner, some of the challenges they face as they grow and expand their offerings.”

The Corporate Travel Grant’s first prize, worth $30,000, includes a $20,000 travel credit with Virgin Australia, two Platinum Velocity memberships, $5,000 IHG Hotels & Resorts accommodation credit, and $3,000 Hertz car hire credit. The four runners-up won a share of $10,000 in Flight Centre Business Travel credit, plus a share of $10,000 in Virgin Australia travel credit and two Velocity Gold memberships each.

One of the judges, Flight Centre’s Megan Henderson, remarked, “All the finalists really articulated their mission, and they are to be congratulated for their submissions and presentations. GYROstream really struck a chord with the entrepreneurial spirit of both Virgin Australia and Flight Centre and their passion for taking Australian artists to the world. They demonstrated a strong belief in what the travel grant could unlock for their organization and the artists.”

Continual feedback from the SME community reinforces that the support provided through partnering with Flight Centre Business Travel and the immense value of their annual Corporate Travel Grant plays an invaluable role in supporting business growth and success.

Flight Centre Business Travel’s Corporate Travel Grant will return in 2025. Businesses can subscribe to receive notifications when applications are next open for the Grant.

Written by: Jason Smith

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