The Business Travel Magazine April/May 2019

awards
meet the winner
Martin Hayes-Gleave
Clarity’s Martin Hayes-Gleave was named MICE Manager of the Year
at The Business Travel People Awards 2018
How did it feel to be
named MICE Manager
of the Year at the
awards?
It was a real shock to
hear my name read out!
It was such a surprise
and honour to be nominated, so a win was
completely unexpected.
Tell us about your role and the work
you’ve done that clinched the award.
Working in the MICE business, there's
always plenty to do. Not only does my role
involve managing the team, but I also deal
directly with clients helping to find suitable
venues, manage the event logistics and
working with creative directors to bring
events to life.
What do you particularly enjoy about
your role in the industry?
I love that this role challenges me as I'm
not the kind of person that likes to do the
same thing over and over again. Being part
of the MICE sector means there's plenty of
variety in the work we do. I also enjoy
working not just with my own
team, but with the wider
Clarity business.
What do you think of
The Business Travel
People Awards and
of the winners event
in particular?
It was a spectacular
afternoon, not just for
me but for Clarity as a
whole as we scooped four
awards in total. The event
isn't my usual scene, but the
whole experience was quite humbling. And
the awards are a great way of recognising
the hard work of the people who are often
behind the scenes, rather than the suppliers
and agencies themselves.
The Business
Travel People Awards
recognise outstanding
individuals and teams across
all aspects of the supplier
element of corporate travel.
This year’s award winners
will be announced on
Friday 24th May
What impact do you think winning an
award will have on your career?
Having been nominated by my colleagues
for the award, it has made me feel
really valued and definitely gave
me a confidence boost.
Winning the award has
given me an opportunity
to shine within the
business and get my
name out there in the
wider industry.
What do you think
are the industry’s
biggest challenges?
I think there are a number
of challenges ahead such as
budget constraints. And of course
with the uncertainty of Brexit we have
plenty to prepare for as we book a number
of our meetings and events in Europe. It's a
challenge, but it's one we are absolutely
ready to take it on!
[ NEW DIRECTIONS ]
Members of The Business Travel People
Awards team recently visited the University of
Greenwich to talk to travel and tourism
students about the business travel and events
industry. The event follows last year's
commitment to promoting the industry as an
exciting career path for today's students, who
had the opportunity to pick the brains of
some industry veterans. As part of the
continuing collaboration some of the students
will attend this year's awards ceremony in
London this May.
12 THEBUSINESSTRAVELMAG.com