Totem Connections

21/08/2024

Check out a sneak peek of this year’s Ubuntu Thrive Conference 2024. We were honoured to organise the group’s first event in 4 years and bring together teams from Connections Travel Group across CT Connections, Edge Connections and our very own Totem team! It was a great celebration and reunion with colleagues, new team members, partners, and suppliers in one vibrant space.

20/08/2024

Ever wondered how a happy team can lead to happier clients? Here’s the magic behind it!

We're thrilled to share some fantastic stats that highlight the positive impact we’re making! From soaring staff happiness and engagement to impressive client retention and satisfaction ratings, our recent figures reflect the dedication and hard work of our teams across Connections Travel Group

When our staff are engaged and satisfied, it shines through in their work, and the clients ultimately benefit. See how our score of 98.5% Client Retention Score stands as proof that our commitment to creating a supportive and dynamic work environment is positively impacting our clients, paying off and cultivating strong relationships and opportunities throughout.

Thank you to everyone who makes our workplace great and contributes to delivering outstanding client experiences. Here’s to ongoing success and growth!

07/08/2024

We had the pleasure of organising the incredible conference for Connections Travel Group, bringing together our teams from CT Connections and Edge Connections, along with esteemed suppliers and industry peers, for the first time in five years.

We brought our a-game to Ubuntu Thrive 24, sparing no quirky idea, challenge, or aspiration; from choosing the venue to building a custom App to communicate with our guests and help them manage flights and accommodation, to highlighting our sponsors, securing amazing speakers, and giving back to the community with a CSR initiative. Thrive 24 was truly a joy to plan.

Laura Cozzi shares “The land of Events is very intense. The team gives 100% and goes the extra mile to bring all the ‘ingredients’ together. The most rewarding part is seeing those who attend embrace what we’ve done, with energy and engagement”. This is what takes it to the next level, and how to know an event was successful”. We deeply appreciate everyone who attended, our sponsors, and our dedicated Totem team for bringing Ubuntu Thrive 24 to life.

17/05/2024

Guten Tag from IMEX Frankfurt 2024!

Join Laura Cozzi for the largest trade show of its kind in Europe, where the global meetings, events and incentive travel industry come together every year.

With over 150 in-depth seminars, practical workshops and specialist forums, this was a great platform to not only rub shoulders with the brightest in the industry, but also scoop up all the latest trends and tricks. Even more significantly, we gained exposure to cutting-edge industry insights, emerging technologies, and innovative practices - which you bet we will leverage to enhance the quality of our projects and services.

When our teams attend global trade shows and invest in upskilling like this, the ultimate beneficiary is you, the client. This combination of global exposure and enhanced capabilities translates into improved service offerings and streamlined workflows - it's like unlocking a whole new set of superpowers. What does that mean for you? Well, it means smoother projects, snazzier more creative programs, and better service delivery for our clients.

In classic Totem fashion, it's a win-win!

01/03/2024

And just like that, has zoomed past us, leaving a trail of inspiration, connections, and unforgettable moments in its wake!

Last week our Totem team attended the biggest AIME Trade Show in a decade, alongside 600 buyers from around the world, 3500 visitors and 570 exhibitors from various business events sectors.

💡According to AIME data, more than $200 million in business was expected to be generated at AIME 2024, and it will be interesting to watch how the growth trajectory of the travel industry and incentive programs will grow to not only support but facilitate this business.

💡Incentive programs coming into Melbourne alone are predicted to bring more than 22,800 visitors between now and the end of next year and that is continuing to grow every single week.

Our team’s highlights include (but are definitely not limited to):
- Learning about aspirational destinations like South Korea, (where delegates can join a K-Pop choreography class, or visit Jeju Island, a place where women are the hunter/gatherers who dive 10m under the sea to gather shellfish and sea urchins without the help of oxygen masks)
- Some exciting new openings such as a new Melbourne hotel, Melbourne Place, due to open in August this year.
- Logistical tips of the trade, such as the importance of accurate and timely Push Notifications at events.

Thank you AIMEAsiaPacific for hosting a cracker event! Our team also noticed (and loved) the sustainability aspect of the digital kiosks and recycled cardboard bins and cups. Looking forward to next year!

27/02/2024

We are absolutely thrilled to extend our heartfelt congratulations to SITE - Society for Incentive Travel Excellence for their outstanding accomplishments at the SITE Global Conference!

Securing not just one, but three awards is a testament to the dedication, passion, and hard work of the entire board and wider membership who volunteer their time and expertise.

Our General Manager Tanya Wick, CITP is the Vice President of Communications & Sustainability for SITE ANZ, working alongside the industry's leading incentive practitioners and suppliers across the entire destination supply chain. Totem Connections is proud to be a member of such an excelling chapter that values education, growth, and innovation and aligns with our commitment to excellence and the business case for incentive travel and how it can deliver tangible ROI for our clients.

With over 25 years of industry experience, if you are planning your next event, be sure to reach out to the team on 1300 607 520.

20/02/2024

Kicking off with ASIA DMC.

Over the next couple of days, our team is attending the leading trade event for the event industry in Asia Pacific:

- 600 buyers from around the world,
- 3,500 visitor buyers and
- over 550 exhibitors from across various industry sectors

Let the photos show, they do it a little differently. Last night's Welcome Event marked the opening of the 31st annual tradeshow in the Asia Pacific region.

Follow us as we expand our knowledge, connect with the community and find inspiration throughout. Stay tuned!

22/01/2024

There’s always something going on in Melbourne! A big shoutout to our amazing supplier Marriott Bonvoy for serving up a smashing experience! Thank you Lisha Singh and Kerri Harris for hosting us at the tennis.

Your ongoing support and collaboration make our partnership a grand slam success.

19/12/2023

Wishing you Happy Holidays from the team at Totem Connections and the entire Connections Group of Companies. Thank you for partnering with us, we appreciate all your support and look forward to reconnecting in the New Year.

We'll be recharging from the 25th of Dec - 5th of Jan and running on reduced staff over the holiday period. Don't worry, if you need us on national public holidays, we'll be here on our emergency hours assist line: +61 3 8527 4000. On all other days please use your preferred Totem Connections contact.

We hope you have a well-deserved festive break and best wishes for a successful 2024.

#2024

13/12/2023

From Melbourne to Adelaide, this week you’ll find Totem’s Tanya Wick and Laura Cozzi at the 15th annual Professional Conference Organisers Association Inc. “Building our Foundations for the Future.”

Tanya Wick joins the distinguished Greenovation panel delivering insights into crafting eco-friendly conference and event experiences. Drawing from Totem’s real-life success stories that demonstrate sustainability in action at events, we share practical insights and actionable solutions.

As participants, we took the time to learn about where our industry is heading and reflect on how valuable it is for us (as an industry) to take the time to get together and discuss the challenges we have and how we can thrive in 2024:

Some key thought-provoking takeaways we would like to share with you:

- how can we not just be different, but strive to be better,
- consider the power of AI and prompt engineering,
- diversity in the new dietary requirements - learning how to understand, respect and accommodate diversity,
- the long-term value of a conference and the legacy it can create
sustainability across all social and environmental pillars,
- different working styles and needs of multi-generational teams,
- could event planning be the 6th most stressful job in the world?!

In our short visit to Adelaide, we’ve learnt that it’s about leading events and conferences with sustainability solutions at the core/forefront (not as a 'nice to have' afterthought), and our industry plays a pivotal role in driving positive change.

08/12/2023

Collaborating on strategy and preparing for a strong year ahead, the Totem and Marketing teams are gearing up for a roaring 2024!

The day kicked off with a collaborative, insightful and fun L&D training session hosted by our People and Culture team - thank you Maria and Jess. Sometimes it’s important to take a second, check in with ourselves as well as our teams, and make sure we are all (thriving) on the same page. As per our company ethos of UBUNTU, “we are because of each other”.

In good ol’ Aussie fashion, we wrapped up at a quintessential Melbourne pub, showcasing our interstate team members some unmissable icons of the city.

PS - ever wonder how we keep our edge? Scroll over to the last few images for our team’s axe-llent Xmas party!

#2024

07/12/2023

Check out the Totem team viewing the newly refurbished Royce Hotel. Exceeding all expectations of boutique prestige, this heritage hotel packs a punch. From luxurious rooms with close attention to detail, great food and beverage, multiple event and conferencing options, they have it all.

Previously known as the original site of the Rolls Royce showrooms, the hotel pays homage with details throughout. The day-time meeting space known as the Library can transform into your pre-dinner welcome drinks by night. The space seamlessly expands into the beautiful Grand Ballroom which can accommodate up to 80 guests.

Whether you're organising a team gathering, hosting a conference or gala dinner, the Royce proves to be a fantastic location.

Thank you to Rui Martins & Laura Dauphin for making the team feel welcome, and showcasing the property and history of the building.

08/11/2023

In light of the recent Optus outages affecting many across the country, we want to reassure you that our systems remain fully operational and ready to assist you. If you require urgent travel arrangements or encounter any issues, we are here to help.

Our phone lines are active, and our group consultants are available to provide the support you need. Please call us on (03) 8527 4050 or contact us via email at [email protected]

29/03/2023

The Ritz-Carlton, Melbourne is now officially open. Laura attended a ribbon pulling ceremony in the ballroom, followed by drinks in the hotel’s Sky Lobby Reception on Level 80, where panoramic views of Melbourne, Port Phillip Bay, and surrounds take centre stage.

The hotel sets a new benchmark for luxury accommodation in Melbourne, with world-class meeting and event spaces and service.

Thanks to Kerri, Nick and Kelly of Marriott Bonvoy.

17/03/2023

What a way to open a hotel! An exciting ribbon cutting, champagne tower, freshly shucked oysters, a tour of Dolly restaurant and the pool deck overlooking Parliament, Fitzroy Gardens, and the city skyline.

Thank you to Arlene and Peter for hosting Janna yesterday for the grand opening of Le Méridien Melbourne!

The property has a European charm nestled in Melbourne’s theatre district, ideally located for guests to experience Melbourne's famed art, culture, and culinary scene.

Marriott Bonvoy

16/02/2023

Knowledge, connections, inspiration - we ticked all the boxes with the Totem team boots on the ground at AIMEAsiaPacific . It's been a great day of meetings, random conversations and fun.

01/02/2023

Looking for a last minute conference venue? Totem clients have access to a special offer with the InterContinental Melbourne. With multiple flexible meeting spaces and the ability to cater up to 420 delegates theatre style or 170+ cabaret, this hotel is a great choice for your next conference, team building event, gala dinner or planning day.

Speak to Totem and allow us to elevate your next event.

Contact us and book by 31st March 2023 to take advantage of this offer. Valid for use until 30 April 2023. T&C’s apply*.

18/01/2023

What a great way to end the first week back by working seaside at InterContinental Sorrento Mornington Peninsula. The Totem team and CT Connections Partnership Managers experienced Mediterranean luxury, a little closer to home.

The day included our mobile office set up in the ballroom with a hotel and venue site inspection, a tour of the Aurora Spa & Bathhouse and team lunch.

With so many options for groups and events; several meeting rooms, the grand ballroom, sunset terrace or exclusive access to the pool deck that overlooks Sorrento foreshore.

Thanks Olivia for sharing this coastal beauty with our teams.

12/12/2022

Wishing you a Happy Holidays from the team at Totem Connections and the entire Connections Group of Companies.

Thank you for partnering with us, we appreciate all your support and look forward to reconnecting in the New Year.

After a busy year, we will be recharging from the 21st of Dec- 8th of Jan. During this time our office will not be attended and emails will not be monitored.

For urgent travel assistance within 24 hours of departure, please call our team on 03 8527 4000, this line is available 24 hours a day. Please note you may be charged fees for this service.

If travel is not imminent we will reply upon our return to the office on the 9th of January 2023.

Happy Holidays and see you in the New Year.

24/11/2022

Recognise and reward your team with an unforgettable incentive program that opens them up to experiences that are carefully crafted for your company needs.

Janna recently curated and led a 5 day trip in Queenstown, New Zealand. A combination of air, land and sea, with clients experiencing exclusive use of Skippers Canyon with private white water rafting, a surprise helicopter ride landing on a mountain glacier with French Champagne served, and an adventurous 4WD across the beautiful landscape of the south island, visiting several esteemed wineries.

To say goodbye to this picturesque place, a farewell dinner in a private setting with a visit from a local Māori Community Speaker. Who shared legends of the area, explained the meaning of traditions, greetings and immersed the group in Māori culture.

A big thank you to Air New Zealand , Hilton Queenstown Resort & Spa for hosting the group, and to Ripple Experience Management - Event Planning Queenstown for offering event experiences with an edge.

17/11/2022

Laura and Elissa celebrated summer vibes last night at the W Melbourne for the Marriott Bonvoy client appreciation event.

Set poolside on level 14 at WET, it was a night filled with fabulous cocktails, entertainment, prizes and some very exciting exclusive announcements that have yet to be revealed.

It was great to share a drink with the Marriot team across the entire Melbourne portfolio.

25/10/2022

Our incentive, conference and event manager Sandra Giannone spent a full-on three days in Hobart, Tasmania checking out all that this great city has to offer for groups. There's only one way to truly curate a program for our clients, and that's to immerse ourselves into a destination.

What does a day In Hobart look like? You can see world-renowned art at the MONA, eat freshly caught seafood, climb a mountain and finish the day off with rooftop cocktails at the Telegraph Hotel. No trip is complete without great accommodation, and the recently refurbished Hotel Grand Chancellor Hobart has the city's largest event space with waterfront views.

20/10/2022

Our very own Janna Kogan has been boots on the ground (and heels & runners) in USA gaining first hand experience, knowledge and connections at the America, Las Vegas. Packing the most into the trip, Janna also jetted into Miami to conduct a site inspection for a program in 2023. Thanks IMEX for putting on such a great tradeshow for our industry and a special shout out to Destination Marketing Services and Marissa Fernandez for hosting us. We can’t wait for next year!

12/07/2022

At Totem we help our clients work better. Be it through a small leadership conference, a full company conference with gala dinner, or through the strategy and communication of a year long incentive program. Our real goal is always, how can we help you, keep doing what you do, but better. One small, but important part of that is creating a great space to work in.

As part of the we’ve been making some adjustments of our own. Over the last few weeks we have been investing back into our office space (remember the office!) to make it a better space to work and collaborate. Although we have adapted well to decentralised working over the last few years, it’s exciting to get together more regularly in person, especially as we welcome new team members (Hi , Sandra, and ).

While our office refurb has been underway we have been super grateful to work from some exciting and varied spaces thanks to our partners at and , . It’s been great to revisit some old favourites and check out first hand plenty of new spaces as we worked from some of the best and freshest meeting rooms and events spaces in and around Melbourne. Thanks again to everyone who welcomed us over the past few weeks and all the great staff (especially the barista’s).
See you next time at the new Totem and Connections Group HQ

08/06/2022

Now is your chance to join our fun and passionate team! We are looking for:

⭐ Conference and Events Manager
⭐ Group Travel Consultant

Email [email protected] to have a chat!

To see the employment opportunities across the Connections Group family, check out the below post!

25/05/2022

Events are what we do and it is always fun to organise for our own people! Well done Laura Cozzi for pulling this together and a huge thankyou to the phenomenal team at the brand new AC Hotel by Marriott Melbourne Southbank. A great new hotel with great people inside.

Was awesome to connect with our leadership team and partnership managers from across the Connections Group family of brands.
We are very excited for the future and to continue to .

24/12/2021

What a year we have had. As 2021 comes to a close we are really excited to be looking forward to what should be a great year with some great events, we do however need to look back and be thankful for all the memorable moments we were able to make happen this year. We have managed to deliver on some fantastic events and a big part of that is down to some of the outstanding people we worked with. A big shout out to the teams at , , and and many more we couldn’t possibly list. If you have worked with us this year, thankyou. The work you have all put in has been phenomenal. Looking forward to creating more unique moments and the opportunities to . We will see you next year.

30/11/2021

A crucial part of delivering unforgettable experiences across our incentive travel programs, corporate retreats and VIP events is our relationship with our partners.
We are very excited about our new relationship with Air Charter Service as part of the Connections Group and can't wait to have them "on board" to help us bring to life some genuinely memorable moments for our clients.

Let's

Connections Group of Companies & Air Charter Service partner, offering clients a range of services in the charter space. Read more!

15/11/2021

Travelling for work, planning a holiday or booking flights? Whatever your journey looks like right now, safety will certainly be on top of your mind, as it is for us and our clients!

We have partnered with Travel Clean to offer you a discount on essential PPE travel kits. This is an essential set of recyclable, personal travel protection equipment that conveniently fits in your luggage or personal carry-on.

Click on the link below for more info and to purchase.
Use code CT5 at check-out for a discount on your kit!

https://travelclean.com/

The Travel Clean Kit. An essential set of disposable personal protection equipment to help you stay healthy and safe when travelling. Each Travel Clean kit is heat sealed for safety and is small enough to pack in your luggage or personal carry-on.

06/10/2021

International travel will be open from as early as November! Qantas flights are selling like hotcakes and our connections group family members Executive Edge Travel have their personal experts working double time. If you are thinking about making your overseas dreams a reality give them a call or shoot through an email and start planning with a pro.
email [email protected] or call 1300 618 334