Queensland agents squeeze in pre-lockdown catch-up lunch with suppliers

When southeast Queensland entered lockdown on Saturday 31 July, residents didn’t how long it would last, or when social gatherings with friends and workmates would be able to resume.

Among them were 39 Queensland-based travel industry representatives, who managed to squeeze in a social lunch just three days prior to the lockdown taking effect.

The lunch was organised by TravelManagers’ business partnership managers (BPMs) for Queensland, Noree Kahika and Karen Dowling, with personal travel managers (PTMs) and partner suppliers enjoying an afternoon in Brisbane’s longstanding Pineapple Hotel at Kangaroo Point.

Among the attendees were two Gold Coast-based PTMs, both of whom have recently relocated to Queensland from Sydney.

Diane Craig, TravelManagers’ representative in Broadbeach, said making the trip up to Brisbane was a great way to catch up with colleagues and local industry representatives.

“In these trying times, it’s all about maintaining connections and staying positive,” Craig said.

“It was a lovely afternoon in a great venue. I’m looking forward to many more such events in the (hopefully) not-too-distant future!”

The lunch was also attended by Dylan Hearne of Backroads Touring, who described the afternoon as “casual, cheap and cheerful”.

“Big thanks to the TravelManagers BPM team of Karen and Noree for getting their PTMs and the Queensland travel sales community together for a good old-fashioned catch-up, with no agenda apart from the important task of keeping our travel community alive and connected,” he said.

Featured image: (front row L-R) TravelManagers’ Karen Dowling with Miriam Musgrave (PNGTPA) and Fiona Borserini (Tourism WA), and (back row L-R) Carmelina Vitale (Finns Bali) and Janis McDonald (Outback QLD).