ATMC wraps year with AGM and Christmas drinks

The Association of Travel Management Companies (ATMC) has put a big full-stop on the year, hosting its AGM and Christmas drinks.

As part of the proceedings, the ATMC welcomed Danielle Russom from American Express Global Business Travel as a new member to its committee, alongside the reelection of BCD’s Kay Shrimpton, Bay Travel’s Alan Wolf, CTM’s Glenn Wilcox, Spencer Travel’s Penny Spencer and Goldman Travel’s David Goldman. Tass Messinis was re-elected as chair.

Tribute was also paid to Rob Dell who retired from the committee with the ATMC thanking him for his contribution as a serving member and Chair including during the challenges of the pandemic.

Special thanks was also made to Ollie Tams for his work as the executive director, who carried out his duties since February 2020 pro-bono.

Messinis said her re-election as chair was an important validation for ATMC’s focus on building its reputation and profile as it continues to collaborate with suppliers and partners to deliver outcomes that benefit both members and the industry.

“There are multiple transformations at play in the corporate travel landscape and ATMC has an increasingly important role as the independent voice for TMCs including with corporates and with suppliers,” she said.

“We have made great progress already in terms of raising the critical role TMCs play in supporting and optimising travel procurement and supporting corporate travellers through the complexities of travel.”

A key focus for the year has been evolving ATMC to the next stage, including raising awareness of the depth and breadth of services and support offered by members in line with the ATMC Model for Change released in October which has three stages:

• Creating the climate for change
• Engaging and enabling the group
• Implementing and sustaining change

“ATMC thanks all our members and our supporters for what has been one hell of a successful year and we are even more excited to hit the ground running in 2023,” Messinis said.

The ATMC represents the top 22 corporate travel agencies in Australia, supporting 26,000 companies with an annual corporate travel spend pre-COVID of $6.5 Billion.

Image: iStock/xavierarnau