“The CATO Awards will not be just another awards night,” said CATO Managing Director, Brett Jardine.
“We have an exciting venue and a unique format to deliver maximum engagement as we recognise excellence in the retail travel sector,” he added.
In a fresh take on the awards night structure, the seated formalities will be completed in under 90 minutes, leaving plenty of time for pre-drinks, networking, grazing from live cooking stations, hitting the dance floor and sampling delicious roaming canapes and desserts from around the world.
“We want everyone who attends the CATO Awards to spend more time interacting and celebrating than seated and watching an awards ceremony,” noted Jardine.

The primary purpose of the CATO Awards is for the land supply sector to recognise the outstanding achievements of retail travel agents as well as trade and mainstream media. But, as Brett Jardine points out, there’s plenty in it for CATO members, too, despite not being up for awards themselves.
“The interactive nature of the awards night, and the promotional lead-up to it, offer brilliant opportunities for tour operators, wholesalers and suppliers to engage deeply with their retail partners and showcase their unique offerings,” said Jardine.

The CATO Awards categories focus on areas of specialisation offered by CATO Members, and winners will be crowned in the following categories:
- Agency of the Year – Europe
- Agency of the Year – Americas
- Agency of the Year – Asia
- Agency of the Year – Africa/Middle East
- Agency of the Year – Oceania
- Consultant of the Year – Group Touring
- Consultant of the Year – Adventure
- Consultant of the Year – Youth Travel
- Consultant of the Year – Ski
- Consultant of the Year – F.I.T
- Rookie of the Year
- Trade Media Award
- Consumer Media Award
- CATO Hall of Fame Award
Full details of the CATO Awards nomination process will be announced in the coming months.
CATO Awards Need-to-Knows
- Date: Friday 23rd October 2020
- Location: Hyatt Regency Hotel, 161 Sussex Street, Sydney
- Tickets: Just $150 per person
- Cocktail dress code
- 6pm till late
Tickets are limited. See cato.travel/events
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