Travel Agents Show Epic Display Of Unity

The travel show in question was the second annual Epic Travel Expo, which recently attracted more than 4,000 visitors to Canberra’s Coorong Pavilion, along with 70 suppliers, three food trucks and two display vehicles from Langley’s Coaches and Outback Spirit.

Four Travellers Choice members – Jamison Travel, Travel Makers, Weston Cruise & Travel and Queanbeyan City Travel & Cruise – hosted the event, but they couldn’t have done it without the help of seven other Travellers Choice members, who together contributed a dozen volunteers.

Among them was Kathy Granger from Burnie Travelcentre in Tasmania, who flew up to Canberra via Melbourne, where she picked up Boomerang Travel Centre’s Debi Kitt (above), who had driven 200km to Victoria’s capital from Kyabram in the Goulburn Valley.

Like many of the other volunteers, the two agents helped set up/pull down the event, directed visitors and manned booths when suppliers were called to give presentations.

“It was wonderful to see our friends as we got the show ready, but the minute the doors opened I didn’t time have to talk to anyone but the punters,” said Kathy. “But that was fine because I can talk travel all day, so I was in my element.”

Zoe Eagleton from Riverland Travel in the New South Wales town of Maclean helped out at the event’s theatre, where more than 500 visitors put on headsets to hear one of 24 ‘silent presentations’ by suppliers.

She and her entire team flew to Canberra a couple of days ahead of the event to “make a team weekend of it”.

“We visited Floriade, enjoyed massages and even did some glass blowing,” said Zoe.

“We also used it as a training opportunity for the team because being a regional agency we don’t always get to see some suppliers. It was the first time we were able to see the coaches used by Langley’s and Outback Spirit.

“I’ve already plugged it back into calendar for next year.”

Michelle Barker from EMBARK travel in Newcastle helped raise funds for Bong Bong – the rescued moon bear Travellers Choice sponsors at Animal Asia’s sanctuary in north Vietnam – by running a chocolate wheel and a luggage stand.

She says it was extraordinary to see so many Travellers Choice agencies coming together to pull off such a professional event.

“You just can’t replicate the kind of culture that makes something like that possible,” said Michelle.

“Everyone helps without expectation and because it’s just great seeing your friends succeed. Plus, I got a free T-shirt. I would help them out again in a heartbeat.”

# Traveltalk will be at the Travellers Choice annual conference in Melbourne this week – a three-day event offering panel discussions, networking sessions and a range of keynote speakers, along with a Preferred Supplier Exhibition and the Travellers Choice National Awards Gala Dinner.

www.travelagentschoice.com.au.