Travellers Choice’s Member Meetings are always vital gatherings, but this year’s events are sure to be remembered as the most important in the group’s history… and certainly the most unusual.
Travellers Choice member shareholders traditionally gather in capital cities across the country for the Member Meetings, but for the first time agents are this week patching in to six virtual forums hosted by Perth-based Travellers Choice Managing Director Christian Hunter and Chairman Trent Bartlett.
The meetings provide an opportunity for members to engage with Travellers Choice leaders on the group’s current growth strategies and issues shaping the travel sector. But Hunter says the existential threat posed by COVID-19 is understandably dominating this year’s events, which run from 07 - 09 July 2020.
“Since the emergence of COVID-19 we have worked hard to ensure our member shareholders are across our efforts to address the challenges presented by the pandemic,” says Hunter. “And they have certainly been fully supportive of those actions, including our decision to retain all corporate office staff and our national state-based team of business development managers.
“This week’s Member Meetings are allowing us to go further by outlining our forecasts for the future and giving our members the chance to contribute to an open and honest discussion on the issues we face collectively and as individuals.
“These are uncertain times and clear, two-way communication is crucial to ensuring every one of our members continue to feel fully informed, empowered and supported.”
As in previous years the Member Meetings are structured as state-based sessions, with members given the opportunity to submit questions before and during the events. Travellers Choice is also using technology to canvas its members’ opinions on COVID-related issues, including how the pandemic is impacting their businesses and their current strategic responses.