All in a day’s work as a personal travel manager for TravelManagers, Kylie Gretener with crew member and one of Australia’s most recognised television celebrities - Chris Brown (aka Bondi Vet).

TravelManagers personal travel manager Kylie Gretener partnering Sir Richard Branson at his Makepeace Island resort in Noosa, in a tense game of chess against Kylie’s 12 year old son.

TravelManagers’ Kylie Gretener is no stranger to spending time with celebrities. Last year, she spent a day with Sir Richard Branson at his Makepeace Island resort in Noosa, which included partnering him in a gruelling chess match against her 12 year old son! More recently, she crewed with one of Australia’s most recognised television celebrities - Chris Brown (aka Bondi Vet).

Based on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland, Kylie joined TravelManagers in June, having not long returned from a sailing trip in the Whitsundays with Dr Chris. Her existing business, Find a Crew, provided Kylie with as she described; “The opportunity to be a very happy sailor”. Find a Crew was approached early in the year to assist with finding an appropriate sailing boat and crew members for a story for Channel 10’s ‘The Living Room’.

“At the time, we only knew it was a new lifestyle show on a major network with a well-known presenter. Then I was asked to also be part of the crew, so you can imagine my delight when I found out that my fellow crew member was to be the Bondi Vet! It was a tough job but someone had to do it.”

Kylie says having three days to film the story meant they did get to sail properly and explore the islands.

“It also allowed the cast and crew more time to connect – simulating a real life situation of going sailing with a group of strangers. This is exactly what Find a Crew members do every day all around the world.  Chris was a lovely guy, very down to earth and happy to get his hands dirty and learn the ropes, which also provided the story line of how to have a cheap sailing holiday.”

Find a Crew was launched in 2004 and has maintained a leading position in the marine crew industry for the past seven years.

 “I recognised that TravelManagers and Find a Crew could work hand in hand. On findacrew.net, boat owners and prospective crew can connect from all around the world. Once people are connected, nine times out of ten they need travel arrangements to be sorted, in order to get to and from the boats.”

Kylie says findacrew.net has over 67,000 registered members with between 600 and 900 members signing in every day.

“There’s a great deal of activity on the site and the growth is largely due to the success we have had in connecting people via an advanced data matching capability,our global member support and strong focus on website safety. By adding the option for our members to book their travel component with us, it further enhances the overall experience.”

Kylie says working for a company that offers flexibility was vital for her.

“I also have four children, so when I decided to return to the travel industry, TravelManagers model was perfect for me as I have the ability to work when and where I want. It allows me to deal with the demographics of Find a Crew’s business, which operates in over 130 different countries around the world, plus of course my family commitments.”

Kylie says she loves the ‘no problem’ attitude at TravelManagers.

“They are so open to accommodating each individual’s different needs. I had heard great things about TravelManagers as a company and they’ve all been 100 per cent correct, the support and diversity of consultants and their knowledge has all been truly amazing.”