TRAVELinc Memo caught all the action at the business sessions and social gatherings at the Flight Centre Independent conference in Brisbane last weekend.

• At the SOAR conference... Ali... At the SOAR conference... Ali...
• Winner of a package of... Winner of a package of...
• A glass of Champagne, courtesy... A glass of Champagne, courtesy...
• Jana Cunha (centre), TMG catches... Jana Cunha (centre), TMG catches...
• Gaynor Bennett was the winner... Gaynor Bennett was the winner...
• Second prize in the quiz..... Second prize in the quiz.....
• Sue Grigg, Travel Associates at... Sue Grigg, Travel Associates at...
• With the top supplier’s award... With the top supplier’s award...
• How many awards did you... How many awards did you...
• Travel Managers top individual broker... Travel Managers top individual broker...
• At the awards night… Peter... At the awards night… Peter...
• At the welcome event in... At the welcome event in...
• Amanda Belcastro (centre), Kiwi Holiday... Amanda Belcastro (centre), Kiwi Holiday...
• Tanya Marriott, Flight Centre Independent;... Tanya Marriott, Flight Centre Independent;...
• Caryn Young, Adventure World; Alan... Caryn Young, Adventure World; Alan...
• From the support team at... From the support team at...
• Christina Boles, Annelies Anderson, Nadine... Christina Boles, Annelies Anderson, Nadine...
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Independent agents are the masters of their own destiny, FCTG NZ Independent GM Jason Buckley reminded delegates at the SOAR themed conference in Brisbane.

‘Our sovereignty and our culture is our independence.’

Going out as an independent agent can at first seem daunting – however with support teams and systems to help and guide new members this can be the start of an empowering and rewarding move, says Jason Buckley, general manager of FCTG Independent.

Buckley says now is a great time for travel professionals in general.

Flight Centre New Zealand has  seen renewed interest in its independents models since the New Zealand government’s latest border announcements,.

‘Almost all of this is from experienced industry staff exploring what potential options are now available,’ says Jason Buckley, GM independent models with the group.

Jason Buckley is Flight Centre’s new general manager independent models.

Buckley has been a part of the travel industry for over 30 years. He has worked across retail, corporate and wholesale businesses and has experience in operations, marketing and product.

Most recently he has been the owner and operator of a number of Helloworld travel agencies and has served on the Franchise Relationship Committee, representing and supporting other business owners.