Simon McKearney has finished up as executive general manager at Helloworld Travel. He left on 9 September, earlier than originally planned.

He says this is to enable him to fully move into a new work environment. Communicating with HLO franchise owners, associates and others by email, McKearney said he is making progress in his ‘desires to
re-imagine travel’ and shared this with HLO’s global CEO last week.

This week’s Journey Through Japan incentive winners are Shari O’Connor from Helloworld and GT Rodgers from Travel Professionals.

The Travel Agents’ Association of New Zealand (TAANZ), with contributions and endorsements from Flight Centre, Helloworld, House of Travel and First Travel Group, has presented a submission to government on travel supplier credits – remedies and protections for travel agents and consumers.

TAANZ chief executive Andrew Olsen says the submission laid out the inherent risk in credits, supplier failure and consumers seeking refunds, and the travel agent bearing the brunt of chargebacks and collapse.

Leaders in the travel industry have been encouraged to create an environment where no-one can hide when it comes to creating a diverse working place and giving equal and fair opportunities to all.

Unless you are telling people a story they are interested in, you are just talking crap consistently, delegates at the helloworld frontliners conference in Auckland were told over the weekend.
Cassie Roma was one of the keynote speakers at the conference and she addressed, among other things, the connected culture of today, the desire of many younger people to be ‘you tubers’ and the ‘rebirth of the guru’.
But most of all she stressed the importance of being kind. ‘In a world where you can be anything, be kind.’
The two day conference took place at SKYCITY Convention Centre and included award presentations, functions, supplier-agent meetings, company updates and plenty of networking.
• Everyone in the photos on this page are from helloworld Travel branded stores unless otherwise stated

• Catching up at the Hawaiian... Catching up at the Hawaiian...
• Sandy Botterill, GO Conference &... Sandy Botterill, GO Conference &...
• Leigh Somerville, Blenheim; Veronica Kelly,... Leigh Somerville, Blenheim; Veronica Kelly,...
• Rob Macready, travel&co; Patricia Xu... Rob Macready, travel&co; Patricia Xu...
• Anne-Marie Denton, Browns Bay, gives... Anne-Marie Denton, Browns Bay, gives...
• Dee Jordan, Millwater; Robyn Galloway,... Dee Jordan, Millwater; Robyn Galloway,...
• Amanda McGruddy, Meredith Gillies, Masterton;... Amanda McGruddy, Meredith Gillies, Masterton;...
• Kylie Davis Strangwick, Rototuna; Jackie... Kylie Davis Strangwick, Rototuna; Jackie...
• Simon Dallow, master of ceremonies;... Simon Dallow, master of ceremonies;...
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From 1 July, New Zealand Travel Brokers will join the Helloworld network as an Associate Member.

Melanie Watson is moving on from her role as commercial manager New Zealand in the Auckland office of Qatar Airways.

Sandy Botterill is the new general manager at GO C&I. Among other things, she will be focusing on growth strategies for the business, further meeting clients’ needs and innovations.

• Up on the roof...Paula Sundin,... Up on the roof...Paula Sundin,...
• Sharing in the success...Lisa Fitzgerald,... Sharing in the success...Lisa Fitzgerald,...
• David Libeau and Rachel Matarugic,... David Libeau and Rachel Matarugic,...
• Hannah Massie, Simon McKearney, Maddy... Hannah Massie, Simon McKearney, Maddy...
• Some of the marketing team....Marcela... Some of the marketing team....Marcela...
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The travel industry doesn’t really need an excuse to have a drink, but helloworld came up with a good reason to ‘have a few quiets’ at Rydges Rooftop Bar last Thursday.

The annual Helloworld branded network gala awards dinner was held at Wellington’s Te Papa on Saturday night.