1000 Mile Travel Group (1000MTG) successfully held its first-ever joint Australia/UK conference in Hong Kong this month, marking a pivotal moment for the host agency. The inspiring event brought together industry experts, suppliers, and independent travel professionals for a dynamic and impactful few days, focusing on collaboration, learning, and innovation.
Evolving Fearlessly: Embracing change and opportunity
Nicola Veltman 1000MTG CEO
This year’s theme, “Evolving Fearlessly,” inspired attendees to embrace change, seek new opportunities, and boldly step into the future. With powerful global industry updates, hands-on professional development workshops, and strategic discussions, participants left the conference feeling empowered, motivated, and prepared to tackle the evolving challenges of the travel industry.
“What a fantastic conference! The energy, passion, and enthusiasm our travel advisors and suppliers brought were truly infectious, evident from Day 1 through to Day 3,” said Lauren Gray, 1000MTG Australia – General Manager. “Our travel advisors fully embraced our theme, ‘Evolve Fearlessly,’ leaving the conference armed with greater knowledge, enhanced skills, and new relationships—ready to elevate and grow their businesses.”
Major Announcements & Strategic Partnerships
The conference celebrated a significant new partnership between 1000MTG and Mandarin Oriental, joining the exclusive luxury Fan Club. This collaboration underscores 1000MTG’s dedication to providing exclusive, high-end travel experiences for its community.
While the conference offered attendees dynamic opportunities to connect, learn, and grow, one of the most popular features was the
Alex Locke – 1000MTG UK GM
supplier speed dating sessions, which allowed travel professionals to engage with key partners in a focused, time-efficient format.
“I was truly blown away by the supplier speed dating—it was a game-changer,” said Michelle Feilberg, travel advisor and Top 20 CLIA Cruise Master. “Having dedicated time to connect with key partners made all the difference for building relationships and uncovering new business opportunities.”
These sessions, coupled with engaging roundtable discussions, ensured attendees forged meaningful relationships while expanding their knowledge of the latest industry trends.
“What an incredible event to be part of! The team at 1000MTG truly outdid themselves. I loved every moment of it and appreciated the chance to share more about TBO.COM,” added Gretel Puisens, TBO.com.
A standout moment of the event was the keynote address by Maria Witchell, who captivated the audience with her lessons on resilience, leadership, and adaptability in the face of challenges.
“Maria’s keynote was a game-changer for me,” said Brian Forster, 1000MTG Travel Advisor. “Hearing from someone who has navigated high-stakes environments was a powerful reminder of the importance of resilience and adaptability.”
Christy Shafer – 1000MTG NA GM
Celebrating Success Together
The conference culminated with a celebration of success and camaraderie, with 1000 Mile Travel Group travel advisor Kurt Hufer’s induction into the 1000MTG Hall of Fame—a well-deserved recognition for his exceptional contributions to the travel industry.
The unforgettable Gala Evening that followed was a fitting conclusion to a week of meaningful connections and celebrations of shared successes.
“Networking with our peers across the globe was invaluable. We forged long-term connections and uncovered new ways to grow together,” said Alex Locke, 1000MTG United Kingdom – General Manager.
A Final Touch of Magic
No trip to Hong Kong would be complete without experiencing the city’s iconic sights, and attendees were treated to unforgettable excursions thanks to the generosity and support of the Hong Kong Tourism Board, including a ride on The Peak Tram, a private Junk Boat cruise, and the chance to tour Disney’s World of Frozen and explore even more of Hong Kong’s magical attractions.
Lauren Gray – 1000MTG Aus GM
“You don’t just attend a 1000 Mile Travel Group conference—you experience it. The energy, the insights, and the people make it truly unforgettable. The magic really does happen within the room.” said Nic Veltman, 1000MTG CEO and Co-founder.
Another key highlight was the much-anticipated reveal of the 2026 conference location: the vibrant Gold Coast, Australia. This announcement sparked excitement among attendees, setting
the stage for the next chapter in 1000MTG’s mission to empower travel professionals globally.
“I thoroughly enjoyed my first conference with 1000MTG. Feeling excited and lucky to be part of this network,” said Leah Allen, 1000MTG travel advisor. “It was an amazing and valuable few days.”
With a remarkable event in Hong Kong now behind them, 1000MTG is already looking forward to the next chapter in what has already been a 10-year journey.
The success of the conference was made possible thanks to the support and partnership of Platinum sponsors including Hong Kong Tourism Board and Sabre, along with Gold sponsors Expedia TAAP, TBO, Oceania, and Tramada, along with Silver sponsors 50 Degrees North, Beyond Travel, Travelport, Singapore Airlines, Uniworld, and Delta Airlines.
