CTM Career Pathways: Rewa Davey

An event-ful career from CTM to ETM 

Do you have a love for travel and enjoy the excitement and collaboration that events bring? What if you could combine the two, working in a fulfilling career doing something you love? Meet Rewa, she always had an avid interest in events, but also a love of travel. After studying both travel and events, she navigated her way to CTM which presented her with the opportunity to do both. This could be you!

Rewa’s CTM Career Pathway – Snapshot

• 2012 – Online Fulfillment Consultant (CTM)
• 2013 – Domestic Travel Consultant (CTM)
• 2016 – Event Co-ordinator (ETM)
• 2019 – Event Manager (ETM)

Tell us about your journey to joining CTM?

My love of travel inspired me to study a travel and tourism course at Jetset Training College. During my studies, I was required to complete work experience at one of the participating businesses. CTM was one of these businesses and given its industry reputation, size, and high success rate of employment after completing work experience, I had my hand up straight away. Upon graduating and completing my work experience, I was offered a full-time role as an Online Fulfillment Consultant in 2012 and that was the start of my career at CTM.

CTM has many different brands under its umbrella. What was your driver for moving over to the events management brand ETM?

I have always been interested in events and studied event management before I moved to Melbourne and studied travel and tourism.  I’m a very organized person who loves planning and writing lists, so I thought event management was right up my alley and something I’d enjoy doing for a job. My original thought was to get into weddings but after studying I discovered I had more of an interest in corporate events.

What do you enjoy about the CTM culture and why?

I love that it is a team effort and you’re never on your own. Everyone always pitches in to support one another when needed.

What has been your most valuable learning experience at CTM and why?

If you don’t ask, you don’t receive. I asked about moving offices from Melbourne to Sydney to which the answer was yes! I also expressed my interest in events and asked about an opportunity to start with ETM should a role become available. I was fortunate that an Event Coordinator position came up and was successful in my application. And finally, I shared my ambition to become an Event Manager and asked what areas I needed to upskill so I would be ready for the role when the opportunity arose. I am happy to say that I secured a promotion 2.5 years after starting with the ETM brand. It all comes down to asking the right questions and putting yourself out there. People are not mind readers, so you need to use your voice.

What advice would you give to others considering joining CTM, or considering a change of career direction?

CTM is a great place to work, with many opportunities for growth for those that seek it. I am living proof that even within a business you can change the course of your career direction. I started with facilitating corporate travel and then moved brands under the CTM Group to ETM to fulfill my passion for events. The world is your oyster at CTM, as long as you speak up and share your career aspirations.

Have you had the opportunity to travel in your roles at CTM? If so, what has been your favorite travel experience and why?

I was selected to participate in a familiarisation (educational) trip to Perth and Broome with the Perth Convention Bureau through my position at ETM. It was an excellent experience where we spent two nights in each location and stayed in 3 different hotels, participating in activities and hotel site inspections. It was a special experience that I am grateful for and ! was thrilled to attend.

Through managing a group that was traveling to Uluru, I also had the opportunity to visit the destination to conduct some hotel/venue site inspections on behalf of the client. It was such a privilege to visit such an iconic and beautiful destination. I had never been before, so a welcomed first for me.

What are you most looking forward to in the year ahead at work?

No more disruptions! It has already gotten off to a good start, so I look forward to a productive year and exploring any career opportunities that may present themself.