TravelManagers conference kicks off in the Top End

The TravelManagers annual conference kicked off in Darwin yesterday, with almost 400 personal Travel Managers making the roll call.

Joe Araullo, CEO of House of Travel, told the crowd at the opening session that it would “break the record for the largest and the best conference” they’ve ever had in the past 10 years.

The company honoured a list of PTMs who’ve attended all 10 of these conferences, and celebrated the enormous sense of community that comes with being part of the TravelManagers network.

TMA veterans who’ve notched up 10 years of TMA conferences! #travelmanagerspeople #tm2017drw #personaltravelmanager #travelmanagers #travelmanagersaustralia #tenyears #decade #10years
A post shared by Nicole Edgar (@nicole_edgar_travelmanager) on Sep 7, 2017 at 6:11am PDT

In true tradition, there was a pre-rehearsed dance performance, but this year it didn’t come at the expense of the senior executive’s dignity.

In fact, acting disappointed that they weren’t performing, the staff decided they would perform, and perform they did!

To every pop hit under the sun, varying groups got up in their seats and on the stage and had one heck of a time dancing. There was even an appearance from the ‘Village People’ singing ‘YMCA’.

#tm2017drw #sunset #darwin #bpms #npo
A post shared by TravelManagers People (@travelmanagerspeople) on Sep 7, 2017 at 6:10am PDT

The theme of the conference is ‘ONE’. And to Managing Director, Michael Gazal, that can mean a number of things; “One love of travel, one common aim for your business,” and much more.

Gazal encouraged the PTMs to, over the next few days, discover what their “one thing” is, that drives them when doing business.

The group heard from the first of many PTM presentations, including Sarena Taylor from Queensland, who shared her story of moving to Australia and setting up her own successful business, discovering her ‘why’ along the way.

But a highlight was hearing South Australian PTM, Corinne Mutz, talk about her challenges with the changes at TravelManagers, her decision to leave, and why that made her realise just how good she had it and how badly she “wanted to come home”, as she put it.

TravelManagers do sunset at Mindl Beach markets #tm2017DRW
A post shared by Michelle Michael-pecora (@purpmich) on Sep 7, 2017 at 9:23am PDT

Another highlight was keynote speaker, Benjamin Roberts-Smith, who shared incredible stories of fighting in Afghanistan, some of which led him to be awarded the Victoria Cross medal and also ‘Father of the Year’.

Despite the vast differences in career choices, PTMs took away a number of important lessons, including standing up for what’s right, doing what it takes to be the best in your field, and following your ethos, even if the going gets tough.

But certainly one of the biggest lessons for most was the perspective of it all. With Benjamin telling stories of 13 hour battles and missions to take out Taliban enemies, it made a lot of attendees admit they’d probably never complain about a bad day at work ever again.

‘I love a sunburnt country’…#tm2017drw #mingleatmindil #travelmanagerspeople #travelmanagersaustralia #travelmanagers
A post shared by Nicole Edgar (@nicole_edgar_travelmanager) on Sep 7, 2017 at 10:25am PDT

PTMs were then treated to drinks and an incredible range of food options down at Mindil Markets, watching the sun set over Fannie Bay.

Sore heads or not, this morning things kicked off again bright and early, and will no doubt continue to get even better, with more functions, PTM presentations and workshops throughout the day.

Stay tuned on Monday for all the sneaky snaps and stories from the ground.

Conference time in Darwin #tm2017drw #darwin #northernterritory
A post shared by Mary Anderson (@maryandersontravelmanager) on Sep 7, 2017 at 5:16am PDT

Heading into the auditorium! Here we go! #tm2017drw
A post shared by Melanie Carter (@travel_melanie) on Sep 6, 2017 at 10:10pm PDT

ONE new recruit to the QLD flash mob team #tm2017drw
A post shared by Erin Ross (@erinrossptm) on Sep 7, 2017 at 1:38am PDT

Breakfast of champiONEs! #tm2017drw #travelmanagersaustralia #travelmanagers #travelmanagerspeople
A post shared by Nicole Edgar (@nicole_edgar_travelmanager) on Sep 7, 2017 at 3:15pm PDT

Just ONE ? #TM2017DRW
A post shared by Julie Painter (@julieptravel) on Sep 7, 2017 at 2:18pm PDT

Those Darwin Sunsets! ? #tm2017drw #darwin
A post shared by Melanie Carter (@travel_melanie) on Sep 7, 2017 at 4:53am PDT

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