Welcome to a very festive edition of Flavour of the Week! Why is it festive, you ask? It’s not, we’re just trying to lighten the mood.

Change of Chairman – AFTA Board of Directors

At the AFTA Board meeting yesterday 5th December 2018, Mike Thompson stepped down as the chairman after 10 years of service in the role.

With Thompson departing his position with Helloworld Travel Ltd, he will no longer serve as a director on the AFTA Board and as such is no longer eligible to be the chairman.

Thompson will continue as the AFTA representative on the Board of the AFTA Chargeback Scheme (ASC) a position he has held since the creation of the scheme.

“I have thoroughly enjoyed being Chair of AFTA for the past decade and appreciate the support given me by fellow Board Members and the broader travel industry’ said Thompson.

At the meeting held yesterday, Tom Manwaring from Express Travel Group was elected to take up the Chairmanship of AFTA with immediate effect.

Manwaring has served on the AFTA Board for the past 4.5 years and is well versed in the many issues being addressed by AFTA.

“I look forward to supporting AFTA and the members going forward as Chairman and would like to extend my thanks to Mike for his outstanding work while Chairman. I would also like to thank my fellow Board members for their support in electing me to the role” said Manwaring.

The next AFTA Board meeting is scheduled for February 2019 where AFTA will continue to advocate on behalf of the travel agents of Australia.

TMS Talent’s New Zealand team expands

TMS Talent is proud to announce the continued expansion of their Auckland office with the appointment of two new staff members, Belinda Peddie and Alisa Wilson this month.

Peddie, appointed recruitment team manager will lead the team and joins TMS Talent with over 14 years of experience in recruitment, alongside a wealth of diverse business experience running companies in South Africa.

Peddie is passionate about helping clients create a culture and a brand that everyone wants to work for and that customers want to buy from.

She also inspires people to find their dream jobs. Not only experienced in recruitment, Peddie is skilled in career and business coaching and training, she is also an adventurous traveller and passionate foodie.

Auckland local, Wilson joins the team with extensive recruitment experience, as well as intimate knowledge of the New Zealand travel industry having worked in wholesale, product and team management prior to recruitment.

Wilson is passionate about travel, having studied it at Auckland’s University of Technology.

In her role with TMS Talent Wilson is able to combine her love of working with people and travel into delivering candidates their perfect travel role.

AAT Kings announce new head of marketing

Leading domestic travel operator, AAT Kings, has appointed a new head of marketing – Emma Prineas.

With 17 years’ experience in the travel and tourism industry, most recently serving as head of marketing at Wendy Wu tours, Prineas brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the group.

Prineas will lead the marketing team and oversee both the trade and consumer marketing strategies for AAT Kings and its premium offering, Inspiring Journeys.

Hans Belle, AAT Kings Managing Director, stated: “We are thrilled to have Emma join as Head of Marketing. She will fulfill a key role in our leadership team. Emma has an excellent history of driving strong results in passenger and revenue growth in her previous roles as well as genuine enthusiasm for the industry and we are excited to have her join the team at AAT Kings.”

AVPartners promotes Matt Gibbons to technical director

Promoted from lead senior technician to technical director, Gibbons brings with him over 19 years of audiovisual experience.

The role will see Gibbons utilise his experience to ensure the delivery of seamless, successful and unique events.

Gibbons is a qualified rigger and highly sought after lighting director with extensive of knowledge around audiovisual techniques.

Commenting on his new role, Gibbons said, “I’m extremely proud to accept this new opportunity. I look forward to sharing my ideas to continue to build AVPartners’ successful reputation as a leading audiovisual provider.”

Andrew Hackett, Managing Partner for AVPartners said, “Matt’s dedication and passion for this industry clearly translates into his work each day. Matt was an obvious choice for the promotion – well done Matthew!”

AVPartners values creative talent and fosters that into leadership by promoting from within. Matt’s promotion recognises his extensive experience and fresh ideas.

Sunshine Coast Airport announces appointment of new chief executive officer

Sunshine Coast Airport (SCA) announced today the appointment of Andrew Brodie to the position of chief executive officer (CEO). He will succeed long-standing CEO, Peter Pallot, who will retire from the role on 31 December.

Andrew Brodie has had 27 years’ experience in the aviation and major-infrastructure sectors. Over the past eight years he has worked in senior executive positions for Brisbane Airport Corporation, most recently as General Manager, Airline and Retail Management.

During his time at Brisbane International Airport (BNE), the airport has significantly expanded international and domestic routes and passenger numbers into Brisbane.

In the 2017-18 financial year, international passengers grew by 5.2 per cent to more than 5.9 million, while domestically BNE achieved its highest growth in five years, with an additional 263,000 passengers, taking volumes to more than 17.5 million, a 1.5 per cent increase on the previous year.

Brodie has also been heavily involved in the major expansion of Brisbane International Airport over the past decade, which has included significant upgrading of the terminal and precinct facilities and the construction of a new runway – scheduled for completion in 2020 – which is expected to double the airport’s capacity.

Prior to his engagement at Brisbane Airport, Brodie was employed at sector-leading companies including GPT Group, AMP Limited and Lend Lease. He holds a Bachelor of Business from the University of Queensland and is a Graduate Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Outside of his work interests Andrew is a board member at Brothers Rugby Union Club and St Joseph’s Nudgee College.

Andrew Brodie will commence the role at Sunshine Coast Airport in March 2019. In the meantime, Frank Mondello, Sunshine Coast Airport’s General Manager Operations and Assets, will assume the role of Acting CEO following Peter Pallot’s departure.