I have always been proud of my customer service record and having been previously shortlisted for a TTG (industry bible, Travel Trade Gazette) Award in 2021, I was encouraged to enter their prestigious “We Try Harder” Customer Service Award, as part of their Top 50 Travel Agencies 2023: an annual power-list of the nation’s best agents.
I don’t find it easy or comfortable to talk about myself, so I enlisted the help of a trusted associate to illustrate a specific example of my work that was deemed going over and above to help a client.
These things are highly contested, and I doubted it would come to anything, so after excitedly and nervously submitting it, I kept things to myself and promptly forgot about it.
The shortlist of five was made public on Facebook and as I absorbed it, I received a congratulation message from one of the company directors - and I was like "OMG, this just got real!"
The glamorous ceremony took place at The Vox in Birmingham with more than 500 of the UK and Ireland’s top travel agents and supplier-partners in attendance. It was preceded by a special afternoon tea for nominees and I randomly sat with a couple of girls who it turned out were in the same category.
Increasingly nervous, I had arranged to meet a couple of colleagues at the drinks reception before we sat down for dinner and the first presentations, and it wasn’t long before I was sweating, as I had no idea that my category was the first up.
You may not see but the moment my name was announced I was in total shock, wondering if I had heard it right, before everyone on my table was just reassuringly nodding, smiling, clapping and congratulating me.
I managed to drop my phone on the table, which was recording the screens and walked shakily to the stage, still totally gobsmacked that this was happening. The lady next to me realised my phone was still on, so thoughtfully picked it up and caught the moment for me...
The night was amazing, and I had to keep pinching myself that I had won. So many colleagues and associates were coming up to me offering congratulations, and my phone was going crazy with lovely messages saying how well deserved it was. It was all very humbling but incredibly exciting.
My clients have been amazing, too. They were all over the moon and I truly do appreciate the support they give my business. The following morning, bright and early, and after not much sleep (and possibly a celebratory glass or two), I was attending a social media training workshop and it felt appropriate to be able to record a little personal message for them...
I am so proud of this achievement. To be recognised in this way is a true endorsement of my ethos and work ethic and it inspires me to want to get even better and to develop my business and service further.
Having the opportunity to increase my profile and presence, especially locally, is something I am keen to do, and this has provided me with the perfect opportunity.
Thanks to TTG and to everyone involved for a memorable night.
