Glasgow Conference – blew me away! TCConf18

What happens at a Travel Counsellors Conference? Our annual event was held in Glasgow this year and it gives us an opportunity to catch up with our fantastic Head Office team, suppliers and old friends, find out what’s new in the TC world and be inspired by first class speakers – and let’s not forget, enjoy fabulous entertainment and over £100K of prizes to be won. With this year being no exception, I enjoyed marvellous hospitality on my first visit to Glasgow - although there was no spare time to explore the sights, there was a great ‘buzz’ and fierce proudness all around.

A casual first day meeting the HO team and taking part in supporting seminars was topped off with an evening served with comfort food treats (with choices including mac ‘n’ cheese, prawn cocktail and trifle) and accompanied by our host Ben Shephard. ‘The Greatest Showman’ hits were belted out by the TC Choir then an amazing performance by Craig David (I got right to the front of the stage!), all rounded off with what I hope is to become a regular feature, the highly anticipated silent disco, courtesy of Celebrity Cruises.

Steve Byrne our much-loved CEO threw us into our second day’s events. I gained words of wisdom from inspirational speakers including the hilarious generational talk by Dr Paul Redmond - Nisha Katona asked us to ‘Take a leap of faith’ and Jim Lawless encourages us to ‘Act boldly, live real and know fear’. A ‘Pow Wow’ session to meet hundreds of our loyal suppliers including Rocky Mountaineer, APT, Emirates, TBI and TWX was unmissable. Thistle and Tweed was the stunning formal evening theme opened by the amazing Red Hot Chilli Pipers, we enjoyed a delicious 3 course meal and Marti Pellow took me back to my youth (I wriggled my way to the front of the stage - again!)

Rounding up the last day, Sir Chris Hoy’s message is ‘Give your absolute best’. Over 3 days I was struck by the positivity of everyone I met, the willingness to help, share experience and knowledge and the attention to the tiniest details to make sure the time taken out of my business was worth every minute. I feel privileged to be part of the TC team and bursting with motivation for my next year with you. Look out Manchester, we’re coming for you in 2019!