- AWTE Ireland chapter launched with 48 members and 52 attendees
- Workshops and networking events planned for summer
- Clare Dunne, Lorraine Quinn and Yvonne Muldoon spearhead new body
The Association of Women Travel Executives inaugural event in Dublin was attended by 52 female travel professionals, 48 of whom have signed up to become members of the organisation.
Chair of AWTE Ireland and former president of the ITAA Clare Dunne told delegates that AWTE was planning a “building your confidence in business” event with Maire Ní Gallchóir on June 20, a networking event in the summer at a venue to be decided and a digital workshop in September.
An Awte.ie website has been set up. Those who sign up for membership will have access to the English website and its facilities and access to event in England.
The pillars of the organisation is networking with like-minded women and developing the membership.
Clare Dunne said: “Over the past few years myself and Lorraine Quinn had various chats about gender imbalance in the workplace and supporting women in business.”
“When I set up my own travel business twenty years ago many people thought it must be owned by my husband, my ex boss or, very strangely, my landlord.”
“We were both conscious there was nothing for women in the ravel industry. When I took on the role of president of the ITAA I was very conscious I was the only woman at many of the meeting I went to. I remember thinking to myself, where are the women? This business is 80pc women, where are the rest of them?”
“We contacted and AWTE just as they were expanding to the rest of the world. From the moment we contacted them they were so helpful.”
When it comes to the participation and opportunity gender gap worldwide, Ireland is ranked sixth (USA is 45th) but we drop to 49 in terms of economic participation. See report on Ireland here.
Yvonne Muldoon, AWTE Ireland’s secretary, instanced the number of female CEOs in the world’s lead 62 airlines was just two and the number of CFO’s was seven, including Rachel Izzard of Aer Lingus.
Lorraine Quinn, Yvonne Muldoon, Niamh Waters, Fiona Pender and Clare Dunne are the new committee who will serve as trustees and a board will be in place in spring 2018.
- Watch here visuals from the AWTE launch in Ireland.
- Watch here interview with Debbee Dale at AWTE launch in Ireland.
- Watch here Clare Dunne speech at the AWTE launch in Ireland.
- Watch here Debbee Dale closing speech at the AWTE launch in Ireland.
- Watch here Debbee Dale opening speech at the AWTE launch in Ireland.
- Watch here Yvonne Muldoon speech at the AWTE launch in Ireland.
- See more pictures here or connect with the album on Facebook.
