Victorian Personal Travel Managers’ Reunion a Win Against COVID-19
Stories swapped amid gales of laughter; long-overdue hugs exchanged: TravelManagers’ Victoria-based personal travel managers (PTMs) had a lot to catch up on during their recent get-together in Melbourne.
The afternoon event was organised by TravelManagers’ Victoria-based Business Partnership Managers (BPMs) Kellie Browning and Despina Madden, who professed themselves in equal parts relieved and elated to have pulled it off after having been forced to postpone on three prior occasions due to COVID lockdowns.
“It was a case of fourth time lucky,” confirms Browning, “and it was wonderful for everyone to finally be able to reconnect after so long apart. We deliberately designed the afternoon as a very casual format – a bite to eat, a sip or two and a chin-wag, but everyone was super happy to see each other!”
In total, seventeen PTMs were joined by 21 partner suppliers for the event, which was held at Munich Brauhaus in Melbourne’s South Wharf. The feedback from all participants has been enthusiastic, and overwhelmingly in favour of further get-togethers.
“What more could we ask for?” noted Peter Harding of Grand Pacific Tours. “Great food, great company and great conversation… I can’t wait for the next one!”
“It was great to see everyone and sneak a cheeky hug too,” added Tourism Fiji’s Kara Nelson. “Hopefully, we get to do these catch ups a little more frequently – until then, sota tale! Stay safe and see you soon!”
TravelManagers’ Executive General Manager, Michael Gazal, says the format of the event was kept deliberately casual, eschewing formal presentations in favour of a more relaxed approach.
“The last eighteen months has been challenging for all Australians, and as a company we are extremely proud of the dedication and resilience shown by our PTMs. The TravelManagers family has always been a tight-knit community, and although there have been plenty of virtual gatherings since COVID hit, it’s wonderful that we were finally able to pull off a real-world version.”
