AFTA UPDATE
Richard Taylor, Director of Membership Experience
WE’RE now six months away from the NTIAs (National Travel Industry Awards, if you’re new), which will be held in Melbourne for the first time in 20 years.
You may have already have seen today in these very pages that we’re seeking expressions of interest on a dedicated industry flight to the event, so please register if that sounds like fun because if this can ‘get up’ it would be nothing short of epic.
I’m already planning my PA announcements, and if I get my way we’ll run a charity lottery for prestigious Business class seats that would allow lucky winners the opportunity to lord it over their industry colleagues.
Unless of course you’re already in Victoria, if that’s the case you’re unlikely to need a flight to Melbourne, although someone I’ve mentioned the possibility to said, “I might fly up so I can fly back down”.
The NTIAs are a special weekend in any year, but 2022 was particularly so, given the event’s forced absence from the calendar.
I was there as a finalist alongside three brilliant others who each played a role in helping the industry navigate the pandemic, but perhaps the most pleasing aspect was witnessing the sheer scale of the event, showing an industry well on its way to recovery.
Last year’s NTIAs will be difficult to top, but we’re looking to make a real weekend of 2023’s version.
Aside from the potential flights (make it happen!), we’re looking into holding a relaxed event on the Fri that allows for additional fun and more networking.
Between now and then there’s more than a little organising to do, and I wanted to call out Jenny Le here in our office for whom approximately 97% of that work falls to.
Among other responsibilities, Jenny will be juggling finalists, the venue, judges, graphics, photo walls, media involvement, trophies, entertainment acts, sponsorship, red carpets, transportation, egos and more - it’s a Herculean task, and one that is well underway.
We hope you’ll be able to find space in your calendar for the weekend of 17/18/19 Nov for what is a celebration of excellence in our industry, and a great opportunity to connect with others.