The Association of Group Travel Organisers (AGTO) held its 25th Anniversary Showcase Weekend on 28 to 30 October. The venue was QHotels’ Dunston Hall Hotel near Norwich.
On the Friday afternoon, AGTO CEO Mike Bugsgang introduced presentations from Pete Waters, Executive Director with Visit East Anglia, and Jason Triandafyllou, from marketing agency Designate. This was followed by a Networking Showcase with Associate Members (suppliers) giving delegates the opportunity to find out more about latest products and services.
On the Friday evening, delegates enjoyed an informal dinner, with magical entertainment by Roy Davenport from Davenport’s Magic Kingdom, and Rachel King, a very talented multi-instrumentalist.
On the Saturday, delegates took advantage of three familiarisation trips. The first visited Cromer where a Halloween open day was being held in the Pavilion Theatre at the end of the pier. The photos below reveal some of the Halloween characters that popped up during the visit. The trip then travelled along the north Norfolk coast to Sandringham House. The second fam visited Norwich Cathedral, Banham Zoo and Melford Hall. The third fam visited Wroxham Barns and Great Yarmouth and its pleasure beach, with a Southern Comfort Paddle Boat trip on the Broads. The very well turned out coaches and drivers were provided by Eastons Coaches.
On the Saturday evening, in partnership with the event’s main sponsor, made tourism marketing, delegates were entertained by West End stars Emma Hatton (‘Wicked’) and Oliver Tompsett (‘Guys and Dolls’).
Here’s a selection of photos from the weekend taken by Stuart Render and Mike Bugsgang. The photos can also be seen at www.facebook.com/stuartrendertourism.
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Welcome team at Norwich station: Royston Hanks and Maria Maltby. On the right is Colin Hayman from the event transport provider, Eastons Coaches
QHotels’ Dunston Hall HotelThe AGTO registration teamSwapping their sea legs for time ashore! Ellie Fulcher and Sophie Austin from Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines check inGTOs James and Marilyn Sylvester take time to enjoy the pianist in the hotel lounge. He seems to be enjoying it too.AGTO CEO Mike Bugsgang gets the Friday afternoon presentations under wayMike Bugsgang welcomes members, associates and guests
Pete Waters, Executive Director with Visit East Anglia
Jason Triandafyllou from marketing agency Designate offered a few thoughts on attracting new businessAGTO Board members Tina Price (Blueprint Travel Media), Mike Bugsgang, Natalie Browne (made tourism marketing) and Brian Langford (Lucketts Travel) with delegates promoting the recently introduced ‘Ambassador’ scheme.The Friday afternoon networking showcase gave AGTO Associates the opportunity to highlight new products and services. This is Tim Fleming and Rebecca Dance from Diamond HolidaysStuart Parker from InterChoice HolidaysHelen Mulry and Stefania Lazurca from HF HolidaysFeet firmly on dry land, Ellie Fulcher and Sophie Austin from Fred. Olsen Cruise LinesThe smiling duo of David Lote and Harold Burke from Just for Groups!Ollie Burton from BBC ToursClaire Burgin, Sarah Holt (editor) and Sue Fletcher from Group Leisure MagazineBrian Langford from Lucketts Travel.Bobby Szente from Ripley’s Believe it or Not! London.Jo Thomson from the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, catching up on a bit of productJackie Cook and Lesley McDermott from Success ToursLianne Messis and Tricia Regan from South Quay TravelSophie Dennington from Potters Resort with one of the GTOsHilary Christmas from Norman Allen Group TravelAmanda Casey and Agata Rusinek from the family-owned and run Rendezvous Hotel, Skipton, with GTO Jill WhiteRoy Davenport, from Davenport’s Magic Kingdom, tries to confound GTO Len WhiteSue Day from West Midland Safari Park with GTO Keith PrinceMore smiling faces. GTO Bob Walker, centre, with Mark Wilson and John Bullock from Rondo TravelAdrian Millan from Switzerland Travel CentreDavid Townend from Constantinou Bros Hotels Cyprus offers some refreshment to GTO Clive RoylanceAmy O’Donovan from Royal Museums Greenwich with GTOsDaryl Bennett from Royal Botanic Gardens KewSiobhan Harrison from English HeritageLesley Terrell from Historic Royal PalacesSergio Cicalo from Encore Tickets with a GTODown at ground level for a change is Lucy Hillyard from the View from the ShardClearly delighted to be hosting the event is Alan Lloyd from QHotelsPaul Palmer from ColletteBernard Jones from TLH Leisure Resort with GTO Enid PammentGraham Hopcraft (left) from Condor Ferries with GTOs. Among the usual leaflets and brochures was a perfume display. The message was clear. Travelling to Guernsey for a day trip means that you could buy perfume on board and save money. A nice bit of creative thinking for a stand display, and it certainly caught the attention of GTOs, and other suppliers.Family affair! Mary and Lesley Marshall from TripcenterJohn Gibbs from Gosport TourismSimon Dodds and Tina Price from Blueprint Travel MediaBobby Szente and Mike BugsgangMulti-instrumentalist Rachel King entertained on the Friday evening with violin, alto sax, pan pipes and clarinet
Called up on stage, Sergio Cicalo looks set for a soaking as Roy Davenport performs the ‘glass full of water’ trick. Sergio emerged unscathed, and dry, from the ordealLesley Terrell handles an ‘invisible egg’. No comment!The very nicely presented vehicles of Eastons Coaches prepare to leave Dunston Hall on the Saturday familiarisation trips. Nice bit of parking chaps!
“Yes, I’m definitely on this coach.”
Excellent presentation from EastonsA beautiful sunny day at Cromer PierTraditional Punch and Judy show on Cromer PierIt was a Halloween Open Day at Cromer Pier’s Pavilion Theatre. The tour guide for a behind-the-scenes tour was Deb Lewis, Box Office Manager, and part-time ghoul“He’s behind you!” GTOs hear from Deb Lewis about Cromer’s famous ‘End of the Pier Show’Lurking under the Pavilion Theatre stage, and making occasional forays into the auditorium, was the ‘Theatre ghost’. We asked for her name. She didn’t tell us. Well, ghosts can’t speak!Oh these theatre people! Another member of the Pavilion Theatre team enters into the Halloween spirit. Perhaps he saw us coming!
All aboard for the journey via the scenic north Norfolk coast to Sandringham HouseThe team at Sandringham House laid on a delightful afternoon tea
Two days after this visit, Sandringham House closed for the winter, and to prepare for the arrival of the Queen.Even the visitor shuttle is posh at SandringhamThere’s a fascinating collection of the royal Rolls’ and other official cars from over the yearsAh, the official photograph. A few of the group at the end of their day out to Cromer, the north Norfolk coast and Sandringham HouseMeanwhile, over at Banham Zoo…
Sunshine on the Norfolk BroadsIt’s the law. Wherever GTOs gather, there has to be a group photo!Melford Hall
Norwich CathedralNo group photo, but a tour guide in full flow on the walking tour of NorwichOn the Saturday evening it was time to celebrate AGTO’s 25th anniversaryA selection of photos of GTOs, Associates (suppliers) and guests arriving for the anniversary dinner. Cheers!
Inside the function room: Sergio Cicalo, Robert Easton, Maggie Wright and David Steele
Sue Day and Stuart ParkerStefania Lazurca, Helen Mulry and Harold BurkeAgata Rusinek and Amanda Casey from the family-owned and run Rendezvous Hotel in Skipton, the ‘Gateway to the Yorkshire Dales’GTO delegatesDavid and Jane Lote and GTO delegatesGTO delegatesGraham Hopcraft and Alan LloydEllie Fulcher, Sophie Austin and Ollie BurtonLesley Terrell and Lucy HillyardBobby Szente with Jonathan Mountford (left) and Adam Reeves from main sponsor made tourism marketingMike Bugsgang with Natalie Browne and Jonathan Mountford from main sponsor made tourism marketingWest End royalty. Oliver Tompsett (Sky Masterson in Guys and Dolls) and Emma Hatton (Elphaba in Wicked) provided first class entertainment perfoming two sets of songs from West End musicals
Congratulations AGTO! Here’s to the next 25 years.
The Coach Tourism Council has become the Coach Tourism Association as the trade organisation moves to better describe its purpose.
Announcing the change at the CTA AGM held on 8 August, Chairman Denise Bridges said that the term ‘Council’ was misleading and that the new name more accurately describes the trade organisation. A new logo has been designed that maintains the organisation’s green theme.
Brian Way, the owner of Wayahead Travel in Bournemouth, was elected to the CTA Board. He joins chair Denise Bridges of Albatross Travel, vice chair Jane Duffelen of Shaws Coaches, Robert Shaw of Harry Shaw, and Louise Fitzpatrick of Marriott Hotels who were all returned unopposed.
Members heard that the CTA is to support an initiative for a comprehensive survey to help the coach tourism industry plan for the future and exploit the potential to increase the number of people taking coach tours. For more information, go to www.coachtourismassociation.co.uk
The AGM formed part of a weekend hosted by QHotels at its 4-star Cheltenham Chase Hotel. Members enjoyed familiarisation visits to Gloucester and the WWT Slimbridge Wetland Centre, as well as the traditional CTA summer barbeque.
Dan Kelly, general manager of the Cheltenham Chase Hotel, says: “We were delighted to welcome CTA members to our hotel. With 122 rooms, and our location just off the M5, we regularly welcome groups of all sizes.”
Brian Way, of Wayahead Travel, is welcomed to the CTA Board by chairman Denise Bridges
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