The weekend’s conference in Split focused on the individual and highlighted a ‘we’re in this together’ attitude between agents and suppliers, says Travel Weekly managing director Stuart Parish
Last month I noted how the Abta conference left me feeling frustrated by what I perceived to be a blinkered view on personalisation through technology.
So it was refreshing to return from the Travel Network Group ‘Obsession’ conference in Split where the individual was brought to centre stage.
Consortia conferences have a much different feel to the more ‘big name’ overseas events in the calendar year.
Full business sessions, well attended workshops, and busy speed dating, highlight a ‘we’re in this together’ attitude between agent and supplier, and I personally find it far more rewarding and encouraging for the industry as a whole.
The Travel Network Group managing director, Gary Lewis, opened Friday afternoon’s business sessions with a recap of their four company promises of Scale, Opportunities, Solutions, and Growth, which they had introduced to members in Lake Bled during the 2013 conference.
Yes, technology formed a part of the conversation, but the mentions of in-house technology ‘honeycomb’ and their outsourcing of ‘big data’ to a skilled third party, were far outweighed by the constant references to his team and members – there was a clear message that this was about people, not technology.
Within the group itself they use the company mantra of ‘STEP’, which stands for being ‘Supportive, Target Focused, Entrepreneurial, and Passionate’, and from my limited time with the team you could certainly see the supportive and passionate elements in abundance.
Externally, The Travel Network Group have opted to open themselves up to third party ratings by joining the likes of Carnival UK, Monarch Airlines, and Gold Medal as a members of the ICS (Institute of Customer Service).
Lewis announced this with little fanfare, but it was interesting that this point garnered some of the most vocal feedback on my twitter activity.
Opening yourself up to comparison against not just industry partners but comparative industries carries risk, but it’s also a show of confidence that The Travel Network Group feels that it is now operating at a standard at which that risk is mitigated somewhat.
This topic of risk delivered two of the highlight sessions of the conference. Firstly Caspar Berry, a professional poker player turned motivational speaker talked us through the science and probability of risk-taking, something he should be well versed in after three years playing the tables in Las Vegas.
He cited Doyle Brunson, the ‘Godfather of poker’, who whilst now worth $84 million has been broke and bounced back again on multiple occasions – don’t focus on short term risk, play the long game, be resilient, were the messages that resonated most.
The second of these sessions brought Jim Lawless to the stage to close the final day of the conference. Ever heard of him? No? Me neither.
Yet he delivered one of the most captivating and engaging performances I’ve seen, and on closing drew rapturous applause from a once again packed conference room.
Lawless is the author of Taming Tigers; the tiger representing the fear of failure that prevents you being everything you can be, however he is much more than simply an inspirational speaker and writer.
This is a man who was the first Briton to free dive past 100 metres on a single breath, a man who was bet a pound he couldn’t become a jockey in just one year, but won that bet through steely determination and commitment to his ten rules.
While the ITT conference in June split opinion and turned away delegates through its choice of Nigel Farrage, the Travel Network Group provided speakers who unified the room and created a buzz and excitement through what can be achieved rather than the controversy of what was said.
My only negative from the conference was that I didn’t see enough of The Travel Network Group team which was spoken so highly of, or of the members that have had their businesses enriched by the supportive nature of the group.
Real life examples of success garnered through a mutual cause can be as inspirational as any motivational talk, and I for one would love to have seen a session which showcased what can be achieved through partnership with the group.
A conference which showed that work and play can be balanced, and enriched the thoughts and aspirations of all in attendance. A job well done.