The Geordie Ball 2026 featuring The Travel Agent Awards

The Travel Agent Awards were created to celebrate the heart of the travel industry – the agents and professionals who go above and beyond to make every journey special.

Our mission is to recognise excellence, reward achievement, and shine a light on the individuals who help customers turn travel dreams into reality.

Our Story
The Travel Agent Awards are launching at two cherished industry events, both recently acquired from Darren Phillips:

• The Geordie Ball – a cornerstone of the travel industry in the North East for over 25 years. Known for its vibrant atmosphere, strong community spirit, and long-standing tradition of bringing agents and suppliers together, it provides the perfect stage for recognising excellence.
• The South West & Wales Ball – recently relaunched, this event has quickly regained its place as a must-attend occasion in the region, offering a fantastic celebration of travel professionals across the South West and Wales.

Carrying on a Legacy
At the heart of both events is Darren Phillips – a well-loved figure within the travel trade. Hailing from Newcastle, where the Geordie Ball began, Darren has always been passionate about supporting travel agents, having once worked as one himself. His vision and commitment helped create events that the industry has embraced for decades.

By introducing the Travel Agent Awards within these long-standing celebrations, we are building on the strong foundations Darren has laid – a natural next step that keeps the community spirit alive while adding a new layer of recognition and celebration.