TravelManagers’ annual National Conference concluded in Cairns on Saturday evening with a gala awards dinner that ensured a festive conclusion to the three-day event which, according to Executive General Manager, Michael Gazal, has been its biggest and most successful ever.
“Despite their demanding workloads, more than half of our total network of personal travel managers (PTMs) have invested in their future businesses by coming to Cairns this year, along with more than 140 supplier and media partners.”
Louise McCarthy was among those with something to celebrate on Saturday night: she was named Personal Travel Manager of the Year for 2023/24. The coveted PTM Choice Award, which is awarded by PTM votes, went to Rachael Portelli from Aberfeldie, VIC, in recognition of her professionalism and dedication to upholding TravelManagers’ brand and values.
Gazal says the new award categories introduced this year were a reflection of the brand’s tradition of celebrating both its culture and its commercial success.
“The inaugural recipient of the Above and Beyond Award, PTM Nicole Cocks, is the epitome of a TravelManagers PTM who goes above and beyond to assist colleagues and clients dealing with challenging circumstances,” he explains. “She received the award for her exceptional service and selflessness in a situation that, without her quiet intervention, could have destroyed a client’s milestone family holiday.”
PTM Maria Miller, who is based in Parkes, NSW, was this year’s recipient of the Barry Mayo Spirit Award which, as Gazal explains, is presented each year to someone whose everyday attitude has helped in developing, maintaining and enhancing TravelManagers’ unique culture.
“Maria joined TravelManagers in 2008, and her strong connections across the network are a direct result of her willingness to lend a hand or an ear to any fellow PTMs in need of support and assistance.”
During the lead-up to the awards ceremony, conference participants attended trade shows and presentations from more than 80 partner suppliers. The conference theme of “Working Smarter” was integrated into a series of plenary sessions and workshops that covered a variety of topics, including recent technology innovations that PTMs can integrate into their business operations to enhance productivity and inform their decision-making.
The opening address was delivered by internationally accredited practitioner in mindfulness and meditation, Chelsea Pottenger. In a change of format from the usual closing address, the conference wrapped with a Q&A session with Olympic champion and national treasure, Cathy Freeman (OAM).
The conference concluded on Saturday afternoon with an important announcement:
“The location of the following year’s National Conference is traditionally a closely-kept secret until the conclusion of the current event,” Gazal says. “The news that we are heading to Bali in September 2025 created the perfect buzz on which to finish.”
| Award Name | Recipients | Description |
| TravelManagers Engagement Award | Julianne Gazal-Rizk | NEW: This award recognises PTMs who demonstrate a strong commitment to the TravelManagers network through active engagement. This includes their dedication to professional development, consistent attendance at events and national virtual training days, with tangible results from their participation. It’s not just about showing up; it’s about making meaningful contributions and driving positive outcomes. |
| Most Improved Personal Travel Manager | NSW / ACT – Erin Beckford WA / NT – Stacey Lekias VIC – Kirk Walpole QLD – Nicole Cocks SA/TAS – Micheal Puttner National – Kirk Walpole |
Awarded to PTMs with the greatest percentage increase in commissions and dollar value in each state from financial years of 1 July 2022 to 30 June 2023 and 1 July 2023 to 30 June 2024. |
| Partner Supplier of the Year | Vietnam Travel & Cruise | Voted by PTMs, nominating their favourite supplier who has supported their business in the past 2 years. |
| Top Sales Executive | Martine Nunes – Oceania Cruises | Voted by the PTMs and recognises a Sales Executive from one of TravelManagers’ supplier partners, who is regularly engaged, is creative with training initiatives and offers exceptional support to our PTMs. |
| Supplier Choice Award | Karryn Bartlett | We asked our supplier partners to nominate a PTM who they feel has supported their brand, has upheld the TravelManagers brand, is succinct with theirs and TravelManagers brand values. |
| Above and Beyond Award | Nicole Cocks | NEW: This award recognises PTMs who have gone above and beyond the call of duty to assist others, particularly when it has involved helping clients in challenging situations. It could be acts of exceptional service, kindness, or dedication that significantly impacts others. |
| Recognition Award | Cathy Moir | The Recognition award is voted by our National Partnership Office staff for a PTM who always adheres to policy and procedure, engages with the business and other PTMs and is the all-round ‘Good Guy’. |
| TravelManagers Support Award | Lia Malone – Cruise Product Manager | The NPO Support Award is our PTMs’ opportunity to recognise someone in our National Partnership Office who has gone ‘above and beyond’ in the past two years. |
| Top Personal Travel Manager by State | NSW / ACT – Louise McCarthy WA / NT – Sally Seward QLD – Bec Alafaci VIC Emma Lucas SA/TAS Melanie Whyte |
Awarded to PTMs in each state with the highest commission during the reporting period of 1 July 2023 and 30 June 2024. |
| PTM Choice Award | Rachael Portelli | Voted by PTMs to specifically recognise a fellow PTM. Their qualities may include willingness to help you, professionalism, upholding the TravelManagers brand and developing the unique culture within our business. Overall, a nice person! |
| Denise Dean Advocate Award | Anna Curran | Judged by the Partnership team, for recognition at a local level as advocates of the brand within the travel industry. Always professional, and often out there promoting TravelManagers, these PTMs have referred a number of new PTMs into the business. |
| Excellence in Marketing | Tanya Patterson | Our 2023 Excellence in Marketing award category recognises personal travel managers who have: learnt new marketing skills, adapted to a changing market, identified new marketing opportunities and/or reached new audiences in their local community and/or online, maintained connections with their audiences, promoted their value as a personal travel manager. Our marketing department considered submissions, as well as any experiences our team has had working with personal travel managers on their marketing activities |
| Top 10 Personal Travel Managers | Ally Casey Carli Byrne Hester David Hull Dominic Bellissimo Emma Lucas JP Bouteeu Kerrin Poupos Kirk Walpole Louise McCarthy Ric Pattaro |
Top ten PTMs who have transferred the most commission in the 2023/2024 financial year. |
| Personal Travel Manager of the Year | Louise McCarthy | The PTM who has transferred the most commission in the 2023/2024 financial year. |
| Barry Mayo Spirit Award | Maria Miller | This award is to recognise someone who’s everyday attitude and principles inspire and pervade the thoughts, feelings and action of all of us at TravelManagers. This award is for the person who lives, breathes and reflects the heart and soul of TravelManagers and is open to any person who has been key to developing, maintaining and enhancing TravelManagers unique culture. |
