Our Team
Conference management demands proficiency in the specialised fields of group travel coordination, creative event management, event programme logistics, contract management and negotiation skills, accountancy, marketing and an understanding of venue operations.
HOT Events is a qualified team, experienced in all aspects of conference management and collectively delivers the ultimate in event management.
David Williams – Managing Director
Dave is a well-known personality on the Christchurch travel scene. His enthusiasm and love for all aspects of the travel industry have seen him build a very successful and fun place to work. Dave bought into House of Travel Christchurch City in 1995 and has taken the business from a humble four member office to a line-up of over 20 in Christchurch plus House of Travel Queenstown, which joined the team in 2007.
Dave has exceptional abilities, these are legendary in relating well to people, and his networking contacts not only in New Zealand but around the world. He has very much the Kiwi ‘can do’ attitude and his positive attitude and leadership skills earn great loyalty from his staff.
Outside of work Dave is a family man who enjoys the outdoors and country lifestyle with his wife and two lovely daughters.
Dave is especially proud of his team who collectively strive to deliver outstanding events.
Ian Yee – Event Manager
With a degree in educational psychology, Ian Yee is another member of the team who brings life skills and business diversity to the HOT Events team. His previous experience covers a number of events related industries, including telecommunications, logistics, transport, security management and health.
With his involvement in his family’s catering and hospitality business, Ian has an in-depth understanding and maturity which ensures his clients’ expectations are not only met but are truly exceeded. Ian has an ability to work with everyone from CEO level to catering staff, his likeable personality and pride in a professional service to his clients ensures the successful end-to-end organisation of any event.
He was recently awarded the “House of Travel Character of the Year Award” at the annual conference which shows the high esteem in which he is held nationally.
Outside of work, Ian enjoys exercising and spending quality time with his family.
Victoria Wales – Event Manager
Victoria brings an enormous level of experience in the accommodation and conference venue sectors to the HOT Events team, with a career of 12 years in hotels throughout New Zealand’s key conference and incentive destinations.
Victoria thrives on challenging and rewarding jobs and is certainly finding this in her area of focus – offshore conferences and incentives. There are so many new destinations that are coming up to the play in hosting successful conferences and extraordinary incentives.
Although Victoria’s hospitality management studies included chef training, that doesn’t mean she does a lot of it now – preferring to hunt out the latest wining and dining options in town.
She does bring this knowledge to the table when hosting groups on or off shore, ensuring the venue is the ideal place for their specific requirements.
With her wicked sense of humour and reputation as a true people person, Victoria is committed to delivering first class service to her clients.
Lucy Tentori – Event Coordinator
You will find Lucy working diligently behind the scenes at HOT Events, quietly dotting i’s and crossing t’s while creating the logistics of your event. She is our EventsPro system expert for registrations, coordinating documentation and reports, ensuring everything is planned to run just perfectly. You will most likely meet her on the registration or hospitality desk of your conference or function.
Lucy started her career completing a Degree in Tourism Management before working in a front office role with Holiday Inn Christchurch City. She has travelled extensively throughout Europe and balances her life between her love for home and friends, and her passion for travel.
Mel Allan – Group Travel Manager
Mel has been in the travel industry for the past 20 plus years. If anyone has been there and done that – it has to be Mel. Mel’s international knowledge and experience is wide-ranging and her logistical and organisational skills are exceptional.
We like to describe Mel as an’over-the-top perfectionist’ because of the immaculate way she gets any job done. Mel keeps the office on their toes and enjoys keeping things tidy and in order just like she does her work.
Two major airlines in New Zealand rate Mel as the best group travel person on the industry, and lined along Mel’s desk are her impressive collection of travel industry awards.
Outside of work, Mel enjoys socialising with friends and family and keeping in shape.
Jo McHarg – Senior Group and Event Travel Consultant
As our resident and token Australian, Jo brings great enthusiasm and energy to the HOT Events team, who is treasured for her organisational and communication skills.
Prior to her life in the travel industry, Jo studied in Melbourne, to complete her degree in Human Movement before moving to the UK where she worked as a gym instructor and personal trainer in between lots and lots of travelling. It was here she met her Kiwi partner, who carried her back to our New Zealand shores.
Outside of work, Jo enjoys running, cycling, tennis, camping as well as travelling to new places.
Tony Haycock – Senior Group and Event Travel Consultant
It appears to those who meet him that Tony definitely prefers to drive than to fly. With a lifetime career retailing travel, Tony has a fantastic background in Leisure Travel, surpassed only by his fanatical passion for vintage cars.
Tony moved to Christchurch in 1998, and fell in love with our South Island city and the long roads over the Canterbury Plains. After seven years with House of Travel Merivale, Tony was enticed to join the House of Travel Christchurch City team, where he’s taken a starring role in servicing our key corporate accounts, but keenly available at any time, to work to on the many varied tasks required in the Groups and Events Departments.
With his 1930’s Durant or his 1970 Peugeot, you will find Tony most weekends either planning or participating in vintage car events. He is a part-time writer for several magazines Beaded Wheels and travel magazine Inspire. Tony’s highlights are combining his indulgence for cars and travel by taking small groups to Melbourne for the Grand Prix.
Natasha Fergus – Group and Event Travel Consultant
There’s nothing like having an outgoing and versatile member on a team, and Tash is ours! Having joined House of Travel Christchurch City as a Leisure Consultant in 2001, Tash has turned her hand on numerous occasions to supporting event operations. However today you will find her in the Groups Travel Division busy with short-haul groups. Tash supports Mel and Jo with the larger and long haul programmes, and is fantastic in assisting clients with their personal extensions to these group itineraries.
Tash is Mum to a young family, and outside of work she enjoys spending time out and about with her friends and family, travelling, shopping and at the gym.
Helen Cowie and Nikki Bligh – Corporate Travel Consultants
Helen and Nikki have been juggling their shared role as Corporate Consultant for over 4 years and prior to that both have been in the travel industry for too many years to mention.
With backgrounds in Corporate Travel, Leisure Travel and Wholesale Travel they bring a strong knowledge of the many different aspects of the Industry and together enjoy creating travel experiences and organising business trips for their many loyal clients.
They joined HOT in early 2009 and are enjoying being part of a experienced team of staff in an office that’s going places.
Outside of work they play Mum to two children each and enjoy running (Helen) and cycling (Nikki) and the odd wine (both of them!).
Sarah Henderson – Corporate Travel Consultant
Being quietly resolute in her approach to managing the leading Corporate Travel accounts for House of Travel Christchurch City, it’s no surprise to learn this efficient lady is recognised as one of the Top 12 Consultants for the House of Travel Group in New Zealand. Sarah always wanted to be in the travel industry and joined the HOT team in 2002, after previously studying tourism in Auckland and working in wholesale outbound travel.
Sarah grew up on Waiheke Island, and now lives in the seaside village of Kaiapoi, just north of Christchurch. She loves squash, badminton and is determined to master the art of cooking.
Chris Fifield – Leisure Travel Manager
With his welcoming personality, it’s most often Chris who you will meet first when you visit the House of Travel Christchurch City office, and as he has been with the business since 1997, clients and suppliers appreciate seeing his familiar face.
Chris has over 23 years’ professional experience in both wholesale and retail aspects of travel. He has travelled widely and brings huge value to the team with knowledge of destinations around the world. He has the ability to solve any tricky travel problems, and with two teenage children, he has great experience with family travel as well.
Chris is a keen sportsman having completed many multisport events including the Coast to Coast. He loves the outdoors, especially fishing and tramping and enjoys getting involved with his children’s sports.
Belinda Fifield – Leisure Travel Consultant
Bee is our busy lady who is keenly sought after by loyal travellers who love her skills in arranging life-enriching holidays. She has travelled extensively throughout her career and brings patience and experience to her role and especially to people who need extra care such as families, the elderly and travellers with disabilities.
After completing a Bachelor of Arts Degree at Otago University, Belinda moved to Christchurch and started her career in travel in 1987. She has worked as a travel consultant in both holiday and corporate travel, as well as in part-time support roles while her children were young.
In her spare time, Belinda enjoys spending time with her teenage children. She is a keen singer and belongs to the Christchurch City Choir, and she loves to keep fit by running, going to the gym and walking in the hills.
Cathy Falconer – Leisure Travel Consultant
Having started on a short contract in 2005, somehow we just couldn’t do without her and Cathy is still here.
The Leisure Department at House of Travel Christchurch City relies heavily on Cathy’s organisational skills to assist in the coordination of the extensive international travel programmes which are typically taken by our clientele. Cathy describes her role as the one who keeps the Leisure Department singing and managed with a smile. Having worked in a number of roles in the travel industry over the past 20 years, she can turn her hand to almost anything within the office.
Cathy is married with two teenage children and works almost fulltime. Outside of work, life is hectic with children (but rewarding) but she is a keen quilter and tries to find sometime every week for her passion.
Sharon Hall – Leisure Travel Consultant
Severely affected by the Travel Bug at an early age, Sharon has spent extensive time travelling the world. Financing this addiction for travel, Sharon has had a varied career background with experience in the automotive, farming and banking industries, providing her with a great understanding of corporate company structures.
Sharon’s favourite Continent is Africa, Country Namibia, city Capetown and favourite Island – Zanzibar.
Sarah Gwilliams – Accountant
Sarah arrived into the world of travel as the Accountant at House of Travel Christchurch City in 2008, where today she is a central and crucial part of the team.
Sarah graduated in 1985 with a Bachelor of Commerce from Canterbury University, and then after gaining her Chartered Accountant qualification she moved to London and undertook a variety of accounting roles on a contracting basis to supplement her extensive travels to Europe, Africa, America, Russia and beyond. Since returning to Christchurch in 1992, Sarah has had several senior accountancy roles in the corporate sector, but has not given away her travel practice and has spent four months travelling throughout India and Nepal.
Outside work Sarah makes the most of her lifestyle here in Christchurch, spending time with her son and husband, gardening, and enjoying fine wine and food.