CTM All Stars 2023: Celebrating and connecting CTM's top performers

At Corporate Travel Management (CTM), we believe in recognising and rewarding the exceptional efforts of our employees who go above and beyond in contributing to CTM’s success, fostering a positive culture, and supporting their colleagues. This year, we were overjoyed to revive the CTM All Stars Awards following a two-year hiatus, allowing us to once again recognise and reward the contributions of our people.

In June, our global CTM All Stars Award winners from 2020 and 2023 embarked on the trip of a lifetime, celebrating their achievements with three days of Arabian experiences. Read on as we take you on a journey to our recent All Stars trip to the mesmerising city of Dubai, exploring the experiences and perspectives of our award-winning employees.

The adventure of a lifetime

A key component of the CTM All Stars experience is embarking on a once-in-a-lifetime journey with exclusive experiences that money cannot buy. This year, CTM’s top performers enjoyed three days of luxury in Dubai, staying at the famous Atlantis The Palm resort, where they explored the resort’s onsite aqua park and pools.

The action-packed itinerary included a private dinner and tour of the iconic Burj Al Arab Hotel and Royal Suite, tours of Old Town Dubai and the Gold Souks, a boat trip on the Dubai Creek, and exploring the Museum of the Future. Our CTM All Stars 2023 also went on the world-famous Dubai desert safari, where they experienced a falconry show, camel rides, an exotic desert dinner and a belly dancing show. When asked about the highlights of their trip, here’s what some of our All Stars had to say:

“If we had to summarise this trip with only one word, I think we can say AMAZING from A to Z. The famous and very big Atlantis hotel with its own aquarium and waterpark, all the visits we did. I loved the visit to the Burj Al Arab and it was a very very good surprise to have the opportunity to have a great dinner in the grand ballroom. I am not sure I’ll have the chance to do it again. But the most outstanding for me was the safari in the desert, with the icing on the cake and the dinner in the desert with the belly dance show. Thank you for this incredible adventure!!!” Karine Cazal, Travel Consultant

“It was an adventure from minute one, and there are so many memories and stories that I will never forget! Only in a lifetime, will you ever get to sit at a table with 24 caret gold cutlery or even sit on a camel watching the sun go down in the middle of the desert! The saying ‘How the other half lives’, well for those 4 days, I was that other half!

‘The adventure of a lifetime’ sums it up in those 5 words!” Ollie Severes, Sports Operations Executive – CTM Sport

The power of connection

Alongside these incredible experiences, the connections and new friendships that our All Stars formed with one another along the way have left a lasting impact. When asked how the experience helped them feel more connected to their colleagues, here’s what our All Stars shared:

“The ability to meet new colleagues around the world, to find out about their roles and to learn more about the company in other global areas was really interesting and rewarding.” John Richmond, Lead Client Manager

“This was a fantastic opportunity to meet my colleagues from all the different areas of the business and different countries, it was most interesting hearing all about their day-to-day work.” Michelle Carswell, Lead Agent

“It was a fantastic opportunity, meeting colleagues from around the world and different areas of the business, it was great to interact and we had a great time together.” Alan Cullen, Team Manager – Operations

The impact of recognition

Beyond this incredible travel experience, the impact of being recognised and appreciated cannot be understated. When asked what the most rewarding aspect of being a CTM All Star was, a common thread emerged among our All Stars: recognition.

Considering the challenges our industry has faced in recent years, recognising our people’s unwavering efforts and their incredible contributions to CTM’s continued success is more important than ever.

“I was so immensely proud to be the winner! I love my job, but to also have recognition for a job well done was truly the cherry on the cake. It’s so easy to get caught up in the day to day and not take time to reflect – Thank you CTM for taking time. In true sales style, mingling with the All Stars I heard that some people had won several times, so now I’m on it!! Here’s to a bumper year!” Emmie Mees, Executive Director Global Sales & Solutions.

“Working for a travel firm is always fun and exciting. You get to talk about exotic locations and people’s experiences, be creative with how to get people there and every now and again be given the chance to go there yourself. This isn’t always the case for people who work in support roles, such as Finance and I.T. That’s what makes it all the more special that the recognition from our colleagues has helped us experience this too.

“To spend a few days away, with colleagues who are also friends, away from the office is such a special opportunity. It also meant I could meet my counterpart from the US team face to face and for us to talk about our shared experiences, which is something that has helped since we returned.

“This is my second All Star event, and being in a management role it is important for me to make sure that other members of my team are recognised for all of the hard work they put do day in, day out too. Their recognition will be just as sweet as it was for me.” Jon Baulch, Head of IT Service Desk

What being an 'All Star' is all about

In addition to the excitement of their journey to Dubai and the new connections forged, we were curious to hear our All Stars’ message to the broader business regarding their experience.

With no shortage of incredible talent in our teams, being a CTM All Star, at its core, is about being a team player, embodying the CTM Values and going the extra mile to support those around you.

“To feel appreciated and recognised by your colleagues.” Tasha Douglas, Product Manager

“Being treated like a celebrity on a trip of a lifetime. I am so grateful to my colleagues that voted for me. Dubai you did not disappoint, you were perfect in every way.” Michelle Ryan, Team Manager – Operations

“It shows that if you work hard, it will be recognised. I think it’s a great reward to show people that their hard work and efforts are recognised by the company.” Myah Western, Finance Officer

The CTM All Stars 2023 incentive trip to Dubai was an extraordinary journey that combined celebration, recognition and connection. It brought together our award-winning employees from across the globe to celebrate their achievements, forging new friendships and unforgettable memories. We’d like to thank our Event Travel Management (ETM) team, who meticulously designed a one-of-a-kind experience for our All Stars winners. To our All Stars, thank you for embracing every moment – we hope it was an unforgettable journey!