Business Partnership Managers
TravelManagers has a team of state based Business Partnership Managers (BPMs), the largest and most experienced business support team in Australia for mobile travel advisors. Dedicated to educating, coaching and mentoring our network of personal travel managers, our BPMs also build strong relationships with partner suppliers in every state. They are your face to face support, committed to you and your business success. Your BPM is only a phone call away.
Networking & community
Meeting and sharing knowledge with fellow personal travel managers is invaluable, that’s why your BPMs arrange cluster meetings in your area.
These ‘destination days’ are a great opportunity for networking with other personal travel managers and suppliers. You’ll feel part of a supporting community and come away with great ideas for your business. You’ll have some fun too!
Business planning
One-on-one business advice is provided regularly for the first 3 months to help your business get off to a good start. Your BPM will work with you to develop a business plan and structure that’s just right for you and then provide on-going support.
Supplier relationship management
As Australia’s premium home-based travel network, we have very strong relationships with suppliers providing reliable access to product updates, training and famils (we know you love to travel).
It’s up to you to choose the level of local support you want. Participation is as individual as you are, and isn’t mandatory. It’s your business.
Business development support
BPMs help you keep abreast of tested business methods to find new clients, share marketing ideas and strategies so you can achieve the goals you’re aiming for.
Meet our business partnership team
Our BPMs are at the front line, so if you’d like to have a confidential chat with them about the support they offer or get some insider knowledge of what it is like to be in partnership with TravelManagers, give them a call or send an email.
Julia McLean, National Business Partnership Manager
Hi, I’m Julia and have been in the travel industry since 1990, working in various retail agencies. I started my career as a work experience student and then climbed the ladder to agency manager.
With a young family I needed to be able to do what I loved (sell travel) whilst also juggling family life, so I joined a mobile travel agency and enjoyed six years of success with a great work/life balance. I fell in love with this model, so I have been in ‘your shoes.’
I understand the challenges but also appreciate the wonderful opportunities that have come with being a home-based travel advisor.
I made the move to TravelManagers in 2016 and for six years used my previous experience in the industry, and as a previous business owner, to motivate, coach, and offer marketing, and business operational advice to all the personal travel managers in NSW & ACT.
In my time at TravelManagers I have completed a Cert IV in Leadership and Management and a Bachelor of Organisational Leadership through the University of New England.
I have now moved into the role of National Business Partnership Manager, leading our team of state-based business partnership managers. We all work together to assist our national network of personal travel managers succeed in their businesses.
I’m very passionate about the travel industry and excited about its future – which of course is as a home-based travel advisor! Give me a call to discuss your travel career.
Melinda Rowe, BPM NSW/ACT
Hi, I’m Melinda. I have been in the industry for 25 years and joined TravelManagers in 2008, firstly as a Personal Travel Manager for almost 15 years and now as a Business Partnership Manager. I love being part of the TravelManagers family and couldn’t recommend it more. The support you will receive is outstanding.
Prior to my time as a PTM, I lived in Sydney and worked for some wonderful suppliers. I was National Sales Manager for Bill Peach Journeys and occasionally a Journey Director for them. Other roles in the industry have included as the Group Sales Executive for Scenic. I was with the Travel Corporation for around 6 years including as BDM for Insight Vacations, a Contiki Tour Director in Australia and in reservations & ticketing for Trafalgar. Yes, I even hand wrote tickets when I started just over 25 years ago!
I look after the southern half of NSW & ACT including the Central West, the South Coast, Albury, Canberra, the Riverina, the Central Coast, Blue Mountains and a small pocket in Western Sydney. I’ve been in your shoes and truly believe my insider knowledge of the unique opportunities and challenges faced as a mobile agent helps me be more effective in helping our PTM’s succeed in their travel business. Having been a PTM in regional NSW I understand the needs you may have working remotely and in particular how you connect with our NPO & suppliers that you may not always have face to face contact with.
TravelManagers is a wonderful company to be part of. There is a dedicated team who genuinely care and will support you and your travel business.
Feel free to contact me to discuss the next step you can take in your travel career.
Jodie Beck, BPM NSW
Hi, I’m Jodie. I entered the travel industry straight out of high school, starting with a small retail and wholesale ski company. After that, I spent three years in the UK’s retail travel sector, gaining valuable insights into both the UK and European markets. Upon returning to Sydney, I transitioned to corporate travel with Westpac Travel, where I spent several years before moving to Thomas Cook in retail. I later joined AMEX as a Corporate Team Leader, returning to the city for that role.
After taking time off to raise my children, I returned to work part-time in various customer service positions. In 2017, I spent three years coordinating group travel for children to NASA in Houston, but then the impact of COVID-19 changed the landscape. Following that, I served as a Customer Service Manager and Executive Assistant for a manufacturing and import company before joining a family-owned travel business, where I handled group, corporate, and retail travel for a couple of years.
I am a fit, active, and highly motivated individual with a deep understanding of the travel industry and our customers, and I am committed to delivering on my promises. My focus, dedication, and drive are aimed at helping your business reach its full potential.
I am incredibly excited to have recently joined the TravelManagers team, and I’m eager for us to collaborate and thrive together. Please feel free to reach out via mobile or email so we can discuss your journey with TravelManagers.
Linda McMullen, BPM NSW
Hi, I’m Linda and I have been in the travel industry for the past 28 years. After returning from a three-year working holiday in the UK which fuelled my love of travel I started my career in an industry that I am still extremely passionate about. My journey has taken me into a variety of roles including Consultant, Team Leader, and Area Leader at Flight Centre. My last role was working at Hunter Travel Group in the capacity of Operations Manager. The roles I have previously held have given me a wide variety of skills and knowledge that I am able to transfer to the role of BPM.
As a Business Partnership Manager I have the privilege of partnering with our Personal Travel Managers which allows me to do what I love the most, to motivate, inspire and empower others. I believe that looking out for our people is the essence of what builds success and is an investment I am committed to.
Connection and collaboration are extremely important to me and ones I see to being the key to helping you elevate and grow your business to become successful now and in the future.
I look forward to connecting with you and exploring all the new possibilities and opportunities working with TravelManagers offers you.
Marie Ainsworth, BPM WA/NT
Hi I’m Marie, being born and bred in Western Australia gives me a unique perspective into all things WA. I’m passionate about small business and the travel industry, building strong relationships with all stake holders.
I look after WA and the NT and am here to help your business thrive, offering personalised one on one business guidance with a focus on marketing, growth and business strategy.
I started my career by volunteering at a travel expo and completing work experience at a local travel agency. Since then I’ve worked in wholesale travel with Qantas and Viva Holidays before joining their Cruise team as a cruise specialist. This gave me unique insights into the needs of a retail travel agent. My next step led me to working in the retail travel space, gaining valuable travel knowledge that you can only get from that vibrant setting.
Most recently, I have managed multi-million dollar portfolio’s simultaneously and exceeded KPI’s and smashed expectations. Sales has been integral to my career throughout my working life and now in my role as your business partnership manager I feel that I can give back everything that I have learnt along the way.
I’m passionate about your travel business succeeding and excited to be a part of your journey. Call or email me to discuss the start of your next exciting chapter with TravelManagers.
Noree Kahika, BPM QLD & Northern NSW
Joining TravelManagers in 2016, I am a seasoned professional with over 20 years in the travel industry.
I bring a unique and diverse set of skills to my current role, and my background includes various roles – state business development and sales manager for a luxury cruise line, groups coordinating manager, fares, ticketing and BSP reporting officer and senior international travel consultant, to name a few.
I’ve successfully managed multi-million dollar accounts, and I believe the key to succeeding in business is having both passion and determination. Nothing inspires me more than working with a personal travel manager as they grow and prosper in their own travel business.
Working for TravelManagers allows me to successfully wear ‘many hats’ where I am able to partner, mentor and work alongside personal travel managers who also live my ethos in their businesses – passion and determination.
I’m a creative at heart and hold Diplomas in Tourism Operational Management and Marketing, Certificate III in Creative Writing, Diploma from the Australian Television and Film Academy, and am currently undertaking a Bachelor in Business and Accounting.
My approach to business mentoring is both authentic and genuine and I have travelled extensively throughout Europe, Asia, North America, South Africa, New Zealand and Australia.
Travel is my passion – it is one of the great loves of my life!
Give me a call to discuss your travel career.
Nicole Henderson, BPM QLD
Hi, I’m Nicole and I’m thrilled to be part of the vibrant Partnership team. With a journey that has taken me through various roles in the travel industry, including travel consultant, assistant team leader, and business development manager, I’ve developed a deep understanding of what it takes to succeed in this dynamic field.
My diverse experiences have equipped me with invaluable insights and skills, all of which I’m excited to channel into my role as a Business Partnership Manager. At TravelManagers, I have the privilege of supporting and empowering our amazing Personal Travel Managers to reach new heights of success.
A few highlights for me so far, I have completed a Bachelor of Tourism Management with a major in Heritage and Tourism and a sub-major in Marketing. I was fortunate to be nominated as Best Sales Executive – Land at the NTIA’s and have won awards including Outstanding Achievement based on my area’s growth during my time as a Business Development Manager to name a few.
Now, as a Business Partnership Manager at TravelManagers, I’m excited to bring my expertise to the table and support our Personal Travel Managers in exceeding their goals. I thrive on building strong relationships and providing tailored guidance to help them unlock their full potential.
I’m excited to connect with you and explore how we can work together to make waves in the world of travel whilst enjoying that work-life balance. Let’s embark on this journey together! Contact me today to discuss your future with TravelManagers.
Despina Madden, BPM VIC
My career at TravelManagers began in 2017 and was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.
To be part of a culture that is all about its people, encouraging all to be best they can be and contributing to the success of our personal travel managers to achieve their goals is both satisfying and rewarding.
I’ve been in the travel industry since 1990 where I worked for a major airline, during that time my roles included, groups consultant and account executive focusing on the MICE market and later, account manager industry sales where I was the first point of contact for many travel agents in Victoria.
Throughout my career, I’ve worked with high profile and emerging companies across all levels of management and I believe that delivering outstanding customer service and building positive relationships has been my success.
I’m enthusiastic, highly motivated, and people describe me as a well-rounded professional. I’ve a passion for meeting targets, winning business and bringing people together and love being part of a team. My wealth of experience within business development and account management in travel and aviation can be drawn upon and I’m always excited to share my experience with our personal travel managers.
I’m passionate about the travel industry and love the opportunities and challenges that come along with it. Developing relationships, establishing new ones and working closely with all the personal travel managers is something I thrive on.
Jackie Sommers, BPM VIC
I began my career in travel straight out of high school, when I wanted not only to travel the world myself, but help people get the most out of their own travel experiences.
From the late 1980s and into the early 90’s I worked in Australia and then the United Kingdom as a consultant for a variety of retail travel agencies, including Traveland, Jetset and Amex. In 1993, I finally settled into what ultimately became a 17-year career with Flight Centre Limited. This traversed a variety of roles and responsibilities including retail team leader, corporate team leader, area leader and also brand manager for Overseas Working Holidays.
To expand my skill set, I spent 7 years in real estate and government roles, improving my logistical and management capabilities in different environments. Naturally, the call to return to travel had to be answered and it is “good to be home” once again, this time with Travel Managers.
As a business partnership manager, I’m passionate about helping people grow both personally and professionally. I pride myself on being authentic, down to earth and direct with people. I see my role as helping you get the most out of your business and having a strong track record of managing businesses both within and outside of travel, I know what it takes to be successful.
I’ll be there to give you whatever support you need, whenever its needed.
Maggie Bootsman, BPM SA
I am delighted to have started with TravelManagers in August 2022 at such an exciting time as the industry rebounds from the most challenging time in the history of the tourism and travel sector – and the world in general.
My travel career started over 35 years ago and I still have the same drive and passion that brought me to this amazing industry all those years ago.
It has given me the opportunity to work in many diverse roles including a travel agent; various airline positions; with a GDS; as a state franchise manager; a business owner running a tour guide operation and a general manager for a home-based travel company internationally. I have lived in most Australian states as well as Christchurch and more recently Dubai.
I have travelled extensively and been fortunate to visit many interesting countries with a love of the ‘off-the-beaten-track’ and am an enthusiast of all things cruising.
I hold an Advanced Diploma in Travel and Tourism, but most of my qualifications have been gained by experience in certain roles and on-the-job training.
One of the joys for me in my career has been to attract, guide, nurture and mentor others into and through a career in the wonderful world of travel and see them have the same brilliant experiences and opportunities I have been so fortunate to have had.
TravelManagers is an amazing company that offers endless options for a person wanting to be a business owner in travel knowing that they have the backing of an award winning company with dedicated support staff to help them along on their journey.
Troy Coelho, Corporate BPM & Operations Manager
Hi, I’m Troy, my career journey with TravelManagers began in 2019.
I’m so excited to be a part of the TravelManagers team. Being surrounded by like-minded, passionate people, who really care about what they do.
My career in the travel industry began in 2000, when I stepped into the dynamic role of a Retail Travel Consultant fresh out of school – “WOW”, what an experience that was! I instantly fell in love with travel and the travel industry and have never looked back!
I’ve been fortunate during my career to have worked with some truly outstanding and inspiring leaders. The impact of their influence still resonates and has helped me to advance my career as a result.
I now have the privilege of partnering with some of the most inspiring personal travel managers (PTMs) in the country!
From assisting new personal travel managers with business planning and marketing ideas to coaching those who’ve been in business even longer than I have, and providing an analytical approach to strategic planning so they can take their business to the next level is exactly the variety, challenge and reward that inspires me daily.
I have been fortunate enough to travel to parts of the globe that I would never have thought possible, which has been the result of working in an industry that provides such opportunities.
My career in the travel industry has enabled me to challenge and be challenged……
Join TravelManagers and live your best work life every day.
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