While there’s been some headwinds for the First Travel Group in recent times, the company’s ‘True North’ themed conference in South Australia last weekend served as a chance to update and upskill members, as well as to chart FTG’s clear course for the collective future, says FTG gm John Willson
“There had been some perceived uncertainty in the market, but the weekend really showed how everybody is keenly engaged in the future of the brand,” says Willson (pictured left). “We’ve now got a very strong FTG advisory panel with a good mix of both branded and independent. There is no them and us, it’s just a clear and united approach—which also generated some positive feedback from suppliers.”
Willson says the conference exceeded expectations and that the ‘energy’ over the weekend was ‘exceptional’. And if the event can be viewed as a litmus test for the brand, some suppliers who contacted Travel Today agreed, and say those members at the event were ‘upbeat, committed to the brand and its future’.
“As a supplier it’s good to see first hand that there’s a combined vision,” says one cruise supplier. The AI session was also a hit with both agents and the suppliers—as was the venue, Journey Beyond’s Monastero Safari Resort. “True North was more than a conference,” adds Willson. “[the conference] delivered exactly what it set out to achieve, bringing members and partners together to connect, collaborate, and reinforce the strength of our FTG community.”
. . . Members Vocal
At the same time FTG members were vocal about their support for the brand, and the event. YOU Travel & Cruise Orewa’s Mandy Herd (pictured right) says she is ‘feeling grateful to be part of such a supportive group and excited for what lies ahead,’ while Melissa Landrebe, YOU Travel & Cruise Ferrymead says she came away with ‘fresh ideas and perspectives’ and relished the opportunity to ‘spend time with like-minded peers’.
Keynote speaker Rachel Robertson was also a highlight for all of the agents who commented.
But perhaps the comment to best reflect the current mood of the brand is from YOU Travel & Cruise Bethlehem’s Catherine Membery: “Another family reunion with our fellow FTG members and suppliers… Huge shout out to the FTG team for their dedication, support and friendship—you truly are the best.”
