AFTA UPDATE
THE POWER of connection was the theme of this year’s Travellers Choice conference, which took place last weekend in Cairns. I was very happy to be part of it, and there was some terrific learnings and ideas presented at the conference - a big shout out to TC for another well-organised and connected conference.
During the weekend, the announcement came that Trish Ridsdale would step down as Chairman of the Board of Travellers Choice after more than a decade with the company, and that Trent Bartlett would take up the position as Independent Chairman. I have known Trish for the entire time I have been at AFTA - 11 years - and I wanted to add my fondest congratulations and thanks for her outstanding contribution to Travellers Choice during her time as Chair, but also more broadly to the travel industry.
Trish has been a keenly involved and interested Independent Chair and all of my dealings with her over the years have come with significant interest, opinion and experience. I am sure as she goes on to pursue even more board positions, her knowledge and skill will benefit those that choose to include her.
On behalf of AFTA, I extended a broader industry thank you while attending the gala dinner, where Managing Director Christian Hunter showed us that he has a hidden musical talent by singing a farewell song to Trish, backed up with a solo guitar performance. It was truly amazing and very emotional.
All in all, it was a wonderful send off to a terrific person and I am sure that while Travellers Choice will miss her, Trish will take the values of the power of connection much further as her career as a company Director advances.
A special thank you to all the TC members that I got to talk to over the weekend - there are many who have become part of the ACS scheme and I was delighted (but also sad) that one in particular had been successful in a claim for a chargeback already with Venture Far. It shows just how important the scheme really is – particularly for smaller agents.
I would like to say a big thank you to Travellers Choice for a terrific conference and a great weekend in Cairns.