We caught up with Daniel Pocock, sales development team leader at Potters Resorts, about winning the 2023 Excellence Award and his favourite part of the job.
It was all such a shock when I first found out I had been shortlisted for the award, but to go on and then win was something I really didn’t expect - I can’t thank those who voted for me enough and I really do appreciate every single voter. The excitement hasn’t worn off and I don’t think it will for a long time yet. Following my win, I’ve received some really lovely comments from our team at Potters along with a number of our guests which has just been so lovely.
I just couldn’t believe it! For a brief second I thought is this right? Is it actually me? And then when I realised, I was just blown away. The other finalists were all deserving winners so I really didn’t expect to take home the trophy. It was just such a surprise and of course I was so, so happy to win.
This was my first experience of the awards and I really enjoyed it. Everybody looked great and the entertainment from Paul Zerdin was absolutely hilarious. It all seemed to go so quickly but I think that’s a sign of a good time.
I love the diverse groups that we work with as no two groups are the same. One minute I can be supporting a bowls club with planning their annual bowls tour and the next I can be talking to a walking group about the local area. The main thing I love about working with group organisers is the connection that you build with them.
“Groups are of huge importance to us and we can’t thank our groups enough for the support they have shown in coming back to us following Covid.”
A number of the organisers who visit us at Hopton (Norfolk) and Five Lakes (Essex) have been organising bookings with us for years, so you become very close with them and they’re more like friends! Conversations on the phone soon turn into how the grandchildren have been and how their recent club social party went.
Groups are of huge importance to us and we can’t thank our groups enough for the support they have shown in coming back to us following Covid and when we launched our Five Lakes Resort. Of course, groups make up a large number of our midweek and weekend business which again, we are very grateful for.
We try to make all our group experiences unique by treating our groups as individual bookings. I like to pick up on any celebrations or anything happening in the group and will always try to add some little extras to the booking to help them celebrate if I can.
“To be able to work closely with a group organiser and plan a trip is very rewarding, as I know that I am helping to put together something exciting for their members.”
I would say where have you been! Potters Resorts really is like no other and needs to be seen to be believed. Everything you need for the perfect holiday is included from full board meals, comfortable accommodation and West End style shows to inclusive sports and leisure activities and your drinks. And with two beautiful locations to choose from, the stunning Norfolk coast or the picturesque Essex countryside, Potters really has something for everybody.
To be able to work closely with a group organiser and plan a trip is very rewarding, as I know that I am helping to put together something exciting for their members. The variety of the role is great but also for me, it’s great when I get to speak with our organisers so regularly and get to know them on a much more personal level - I’ve built up some great friendships.
When people think of Potters, they think of a number of things. They think of our inclusive package of entertainment, food and drink, they think of our long-standing place in the industry with our Norfolk resort going for over 100 years and they also think of our high customer service.
When I’ve met GTOs or guests on our resorts, nine times out of ten, the first thing they comment on is how friendly our teams are. Our company’s vision statement is to ‘entertain’. We pride ourselves on our service and always want to deliver an experience like no other to each and every guest.
I’ve been lucky enough to go on a few different holidays recently. I went to Las Vegas in April, Cyprus in July, and Scotland in August – I’m now very poor! What I always look for in a holiday is somewhere that gives the opportunity to explore with lots to see. I can walk for hours taking in the sights and cultures of a destination. I particularly liked Las Vegas, just because there was so much to do. It’s somewhere I can see myself going back to again and again.
I would just simply say thank you! Thank you for taking the time to choose me over so many possible deserving winners. For somebody to choose me really does mean the world, I absolutely love my job and the organisers I work with, so thank you for giving me that boost to know what I do really makes an impact.
Congratulations to the other finalists of the 2023 Excellence Award who were: Faye Brant-Key, National Memorial Arboretum, Jackie Cook, Success Tours and Sophie Dart, Nimax Theatres. The Excellence Award is part of the Group Leisure & Travel Awards.
You can find out more about it and read about the other finalists at groupleisureandtravel.com/excellence.
We catch up with magician and comedian Pete Firman ahead of the 2024 Group Leisure & Travel Awards, to find out what our host will bring to the ceremony and where his love of magic came from.
Whether you organise a day trip or a long haul holiday, it is often the people you deal with who can make the difference. Find out who the finalists for this year’s Excellence Award are and vote for your winner.
Who will you vote for as best for group trips and holidays? The Group Leisure & Travel Awards 2024 reveals the views and opinions of the people that keep the group travel industry moving. Here is the shortlist and how you can vote for the winners.
We speak to Pat Crooks, who still organises for the Freemans Sport & Leisure Club, about winning the first Group Travel Organiser of the Year Award®.
