Partner Awards and Gala Dinner

Oh What a Night

The 2009 Sage Business Solutions Gala Awards night promises to be a night to remember. This formal awards evening will be a chance for the whole Sage Community to get together, to recognise outstanding achievements as well as a celebration to thank everyone for their hard work during what has been a difficult year.

The evening will include a 3 course sit-down dinner and drinks, an award ceremony, entertainment as well as a special guest speaker. To be held in the main ball room of the beautiful Westin Hotel in Sydney, it will provide the perfect backdrop to a night of glamour and fun.

The evening will begin at 6:30pm and continue on till approximate 11pm. It will be an event not to be missed and will provide the perfect opportunity to unwind and enjoy a night with your peers.

Our Gala Awards Guest Speaker: John Anderson, Founder of the Contiki Group

In 1962 with just 25 pounds, John Anderson found a way to not only see Europe, but to start his own business, Contiki Holidays. At the age of 22 John left New Zealand for England for a one-year trip overseas. He returned 20 years later with his wife Alison, four children and the international tourism business, Contiki Holidays.

When John sold the company it was, and remains, an International “brand name” and the world’s largest tour operator for the 18-35 year old market. From a staff of one and a beaten-up minibus, John expanded to 700 staff, operating 160 Mercedes coaches and 15 European properties including a chateau, totels, camping grounds and cruise vessels. He built brand awareness of 92% in target markets, with Contiki operating in Europe, North America and Australasia, carrying 100,000 passengers annually.

The Contiki story is an incredible story, which remains virtually untold, yet it's a household name in several countries around the world. Today John continues as a management consultant and entrepreneur. With a book on the Contiki Story set for release in early 2010, John has recently started a new company offering holidays for the over 45’s. As a speaker, John has only just began to tell the Contiki story. John’s presentation is full of extremely funny and sad anecdotes providing hard-learnt lessons about failure in business but more importantly thriving and achieving success in chaos. We have no doubt that he will have a marked effect on the emotions of our Insights audience. Please join us for the Gala Awards evening on November 21st for John’s special presentation.