It also gave me more authority and self-assurance when presenting new ideas and concepts to our Executive Team to drive the programme forward as the first person in a programme management role. It acted as a catalyst too to encourage me to get more involved in the industry through ITM, getting involved in panels and projects, completing my Advanced Principles of Business Travel Management course before progressing onto the Global Travel Professional® qualification, and then joining the ITM Board of Directors in 2017.

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This provided additional verification to my company, and leadership, that what we’re doing is certainly worthwhile and in line with industry best practice.

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Being so publicly recognised among your peers brings happiness along with the added responsibility which the judges have put on you, and this will motivate you to be consistent and worthy of that trust. You will meet those very people at all the events, and every year at the ITM conference, and will want to demonstrate the value of their recognition with a constant growth.
Winning this award is a validation of what I’ve achieved to date and to be picked among such high level of successful Travel Managers is flattering. Personally, I feel very proud to be able to set an example for my team globally, proving that hard work and being passionate about what you do, leads to success both within and outside the organization.
I feel privileged to hold a job I love, in a Company that allows me great opportunities, and showing that I put them to good use is the balance of my business commitment and industry involvement. It’s what makes me a good “corporate citizen”.
The award gave me added confidence and aided my personal growth, whilst respect and visibility in my role at work also increased. I was invited to several conferences, roundtables, webinars and selected events after that, and my industry networking has been much easier and natural. Of course this helped me in my job.
That’s why winning or being nominated for an award is so special. Because not only it feels incredible to have your efforts recognised by people outside of your day to day, by experts in their fields and by people who have no vested interest or agenda; but it’s also the public acknowledgement of the tireless work that has gone into your project, that ultimately benefits your personal brand.
If you have a team like I do, they will share this achievement with you. Your partners and suppliers will also enjoy and celebrate your recognition, and so will your superiors who always welcome positive publicity and associating the Company name with winning an award.
I now look forward to the 2020 conference and I hope that everyone, both nominees and winners will leave with a sense of being seen, heard, and appreciated in their endeavours and inspired to continue creating change and improvements on a micro and macro level.
There are so many important topics for the Travel Industry now, and first of all our duty to protect the environment and make a difference.
Being seen, and heard in the right place at the right time by the people that can make it happen… this for me, is truly where the power of winning an award lies.

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Therefore, it was a honour and a privilege to recognised in this way from colleague in both the buyer and supplier space. The award meant a lot to me and still does. It brought happiness along with a kind of fear. It brought fear because of the expected responsibility from my peer group and from within my organisation.
With that said, all turned out to be absolutely positive. Not only did it give me kudos personally but also raised the profile of the travel program of my organisation at the time and subsequent organisations since. To those who may be the future recipients of any of the Buyer Achievement Awards, embrace the pleasure and the deserved recognition it brings!

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On a personal level, it gave me more confidence in what I do and on a professional level I felt very lucky to have received recognition from outside of my own organisation. It was a real career highlight.

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I’m now the UK Travel Manager at ITV, a whole different world to corporate travel and an average day can include anything from managing tricky locations for Drama shoots, to negotiating group deals for hundreds of travellers on our larger Entertainment programmes.
I definitely feel my profile within the industry has been more visible since winning my ITM award - I’ve been asked to speak at a number of events, which have all been great experiences. I’m really grateful to ITM for having this award programme, which really can open up doors and create opportunities 🙂

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The ITM is a wonderful organisation that seeks to bind together all facets of the industry in a constructive, supportive and challenging way. I have developed my career and skills through the network that is ITM.

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