Advantage CEO Julia Lo Bue-Said was taken by surprised at this year’s annual conference when the programme was halted as Chief Operating Officer Paul Nunn called her on stage to celebrate her 30thanniversary with the business.
Joining her on stage, Non-Executive Director James Beagrie of Meon Travel went on to praise her ‘depth of commitment’ and loyalty to the business. Describing Julia as a ‘formidable force for good’, he said she had grown Advantage ‘from damn near a start up’ to a £17 billion business.
He added: “You have dedicated 30 years of your life to Advantage and everyone in this room thanks you from the bottom of their hearts and their bank balances.”
The accolades continued, including – by video message – from former Advantage directors John McEwan and Ken McLeod, Celebrity Cruises Vice President of International Giles Hawke and even her mum, dad and two sons.
Non-executive Director Suzanne Horner, Gray Dawes Travel CEO, who described Julia as both as a friend and colleague, praised her for supporting the industry during the pandemic, doing multiple media appearances and meeting with Government officials. “At one point she was even more famous than Simon Calder,” she joked.
Simon also appeared on video to congratulate Julia on her 30th anniversary.
Taking the mic, a tearful Julia joked: “I am honestly going to kill everyone after this,” before adding: “This business is so important to me, I believe passionately in this industry and this business.”
Julia also praised her ‘dedicated and committed team’ and thanked them for their support, along with her family, to whom she said she was ‘indebted’.
Joined by some of her family on stage – who had flown to Malta as the final surprise – she was given a standing ovation by members and suppliers.
