with Jo Palmer
Managing director of Gate 7
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1. What does your role involve and how long have you been in your current position?
I’m the managing director of Gate 7, a tourism representation business promoting destinations and iconic tourism product to consumers, travel industry and media across Australia and New Zealand. My role primarily involves managing my team of amazing people to help them be the best they can be and to drive innovative marketing programs for our clients.
2. How did you start out in your career? Were you always destined to work in the travel industry?
My first role was on the telephones at the Australian Tourism Commission in Germany, answering travel agent enquiries about Australia. I have always loved the experience of working with people from different countries and cultures, so I do feel like travel was a great fit for my passions from the get go.
3. Did you complete formal qualifications, and do you think they are important?
I love learning and yes, I did complete formal qualifications; I have a Degree in Economics and a Post-Graduate Degree in Tourism Marketing. I do think that study is important in giving you some fundamental frameworks to work with and build on. Ironically some of the subjects I least enjoyed have been some of the most useful; statistics and accounting for example.
4. What do you love about your job?
There are so many things I love about my job. I love the opportunity to be touching different parts of the world every day, and to promote incredible life enriching experiences. I love the opportunity to work with passionate people and to provide experiences and frameworks at work to help them reach their full potential. I love the challenge of creating and shaping what we do every day to keep up with moving trends and demands. And I really enjoy the thinking that goes into making work and processes flow seamlessly and efficiently.
5. What were some of the greatest challenges you’ve had in your career?
One of the greatest challenges has also been one of the most exciting developments, as I guess is often the case. Winning the opportunity to represent Brand USA in Australia and New Zealand was an incredible honour and I am grateful for that every day. The challenge is this also brought with it new levels of complexity in the scale of opportunity and in stakeholder management. I think a sense of humour, together with a sense of being centred and knowing that you are doing the very best you can every day, really helps conquer these periods with steep learning curves.
6. What factors were central to your success?
I think being brave enough to have a go and back myself and my team. I know that we are passionate, creative, smart and hard working. I give us permission to be unattached to the outcome, as long as we know that we’ve sincerely given things our very best shot.
7. Did you have a mentor, and if so, how did you find them?
I have been inspired by many. I’ve never had a formal mentor, but one of my bosses played a very big role in inspiring me to do what I do now. Over the past few years, I’ve also engaged coaches who have been amazing at helping me navigate this growing business and focus on what’s important.
8. What are the keys to good business?
Passionate, engaged people. Focused systems. Strong stakeholder relationships.
9. What advice would you give to others in the industry who would like to follow in your footsteps?
Have fun! Be nice. Think holistically.
