There are gala dinners and the National Travel Industry Awards (NTIAs). This year, thanks to the unflappable team at CVFR Travel Group, Brisbane is about to host a celebration that promises more glitz than a Hollywood red carpet and sparkle than a Swarovski warehouse.
On Saturday, 18 October, the industry’s glitterati will descend on The Star, Brisbane, for what is shaping up to be the most glamorous NTIAs in living memory. With record nominations, brisk ticket sales, and a programme tighter than tuxedo trousers after dessert, the night is already buzzing with anticipation.
Glamour from the ground up
CVFR Travel Group, never one to leave a shoelace untied or a sequin unpolished, has returned as a major sponsor of the official after party. But they haven’t stopped there. Through CVFR Consolidation Services, the company is also underwriting a dazzling suite of “premium experiences” designed to keep guests looking as fabulous as they feel.
We’re not talking the usual complimentary glass of bubbly and a bowl of salted almonds. Think: a powder room stocked with luxury soaps, perfume, cologne, and even Hollywood tape to prevent wardrobe malfunctions that make headlines for all the wrong reasons. Add a hair and make-up booth for last-minute touch-ups and a shoe shine service to ensure gents don’t let the side down.
If you suspect this is all smoke and mirrors, think again. CVFR has also organised two photobooths, one open-air and one 360-degree version – so every glittering moment can be captured, uploaded, and envied in living colour.
“From the moment guests arrive to the final song on the dance floor, their touches will make the night sparkle in every way,” declared Dean Long, CEO of the Australian Travel Industry Association (ATIA).
The after party to end all after parties
Of course, no awards ceremony worth its salt ends when the last trophy is handed over. CVFR, as master of the after party, ensures revellers choose between a high-octane dance floor and a serene rooftop escape under the Brisbane night sky. Whether you’re a mover, a shaker, or just there to sip a quiet G&T, the after party will be the cherry atop the champagne tower.
And in the true spirit of generosity, Ram Chhabra, CEO of CVFR Travel Group, couldn’t resist adding his own flourish:
“We’re over the moon to be adding even more sparkle this year – from Hollywood tape to hair and make-up, from shoe shines to photobooths, we’ve got every detail covered so our industry’s finest can look and feel their absolute best.”
More than a pretty face
Lest anyone think CVFR is all gloss and glitter, it’s worth noting the company’s 35-plus years of serious service to the industry. Its consolidation arm has been a bedrock of reliable ticketing for decades, and the group now boasts a portfolio spanning airline representation, payment solutions, outsourcing, and hybrid services. In other words, beneath the sequins lies solid substance.
This dual commitment, to reliable back-end services and industry-wide celebration, underlines CVFR’s broader mission: to support, uplift, and innovate within the travel sector.
“For more than 35 years, CVFR has been backing travel professionals with cutting-edge services and steadfast support,” Chhabra explained. “This year’s NTIAs give us the chance to give back in a way that’s all about fun, glamour, and celebrating the people who make our industry extraordinary.”
A record-breaking year
The NTIAs themselves are shaping up as a landmark event. With a refined list of 36 award categories, including new and updated segments reflecting the sector’s evolution, there are more chances than ever to spotlight the people and businesses that keep Australia’s $69 billion travel industry thriving.
From corporate and leisure travel professionals to training programs, sales teams, advisors, and suppliers, the awards capture the full breadth of an industry that is as resilient as it is diverse. Behind the scenes, respected NTIA Custodians, senior leaders, and guardians of industry standards have helped craft the categories to ensure that credibility and prestige remain intact.
And as if one grand event weren’t enough, the gala will be preceded by the Beyond Borders conference on 17 October, setting the stage for two days of learning, networking, and, inevitably, champagne.
Why it matters
Awards nights may seem like a night of frocks and fireworks, but the NTIAs play a serious role in recognising excellence, innovation, and resilience in travel and tourism. They mirror an industry that has weathered storms, adapted, and emerged with renewed strength.
With Brisbane as host city, The Star as backdrop, and CVFR as glamour maestro, NTIA 2025 is primed to be an unforgettable showcase of the heart and soul of travel.
As Dean Long put it with characteristic enthusiasm:
“The NTIAs are about more than awards – they’re about celebrating the heart and soul of our industry. With CVFR’s support, this year’s celebrations will be a night to remember for all the right reasons glamour, fun, and plenty of laughs along the way.”
And let’s face it, in an industry that deals daily in tickets, tours, and timetables, a night devoted purely to celebration, complete with perfumed powder rooms, rooftop cocktails, and photobooths galore, is precisely what’s needed.
By Christine Nguyen
