The Council of Australian Tour Operators (CATO) successfully hosted just under 200 travel industry professionals at Melbourne’s Q Events to celebrate International Women's Day, adorned in splashes of yellow symbolising joy, resilience, hope, and empowerment.
The event emceed by CATO Board Director, Ingrid Berthelsen, kicked off with a compelling introduction to the Women’s Resilience Centre by Judy Pridmore. Thanks to everyone's participation, CATO was able to offer financial support to the centre, aiding women as they move from crisis care to recovery after experiencing domestic abuse, trauma, and loss.
The highlight of the day was an inspiring speech by Olympic gold medallist Noémie Fox, who shared her journey of determination and resilience. This was followed by a lively audience Q&A session.
Unfortunately, Ashleigh Conwell, CEO of Yellow Falcon, could not attend in person due to the evolving circumstances in Brisbane, but she captivated the audience with her virtual presentation on “Owning Your Story,” focusing on overcoming grief and loss, rediscovering joy, and staying true to personal values.
Brett Jardine, Managing Director of CATO, expressed his deep appreciation: “I am immensely grateful for the support of our Board members, particularly Ingrid Berthelsen, Yvette Thompson, and Julie King, who went above and beyond to elevate this year’s event and bring to life the theme of ‘Emotional Resilience’. The powerful presentations by both Noemie and Ash left an indelible mark on all attendees.”
CATO is incredibly thankful to the following partners who came together as “Brands for a Cause”; Chimu Adventures, Collette, Destination Canada, Globus Family of Brands, G Adventures, Intrepid, Julie King & Associates, On the Go Tours, NIB Travel, and The Travel Corporation - their unwavering support was pivotal in bringing this event to fruition and driving positive change within the travel industry and beyond.
Special recognition is also due to Lisa Maroun and the Enspired Plus team, whose exceptional event planning continues to align perfectly with CATO’s vision.
