A big congratulations to our very own Imogen Gargett, who has been recognised with the TMC Above and Beyond Award – Individual at this year’s Business Travel People Awards, celebrating the commitment, experience and support she brings to clients and colleagues across the film and production industry.
Working behind the scenes to find and book accommodation for film crews and production teams when they are on location or based at studios away from home, Imogen’s role can involve anything from arranging hundreds of rooms for a large-scale production to sourcing suitable options in remote locations, often while requirements are changing and deadlines are tight.
“It’s just so different every day, and it’s this variety that continues to make the role so rewarding, with every production bringing different people, locations and challenges.”
– Imogen Gargett
That variety also means working with people at very different stages of their careers, and Imogen particularly enjoys supporting those who are relatively new to the industry and may not yet be familiar with different parts of the UK, the accommodation available or the practicalities of working across multiple locations, using her own experience to offer reassurance, share knowledge and help colleagues find their feet.
“I like to think that because I’ve got quite a lot of experience, I’m helping in some small way,”
– Imogen Gargett
That willingness to help often becomes most important when productions are under pressure, and Imogen recalls one particularly demanding project involving back-to-back locations where plans were being made at the last minute, requiring her to change her working hours and put in additional time so that she could remain available whenever the team needed support.
On another production, she travelled with a client across North Wales, South Wales and the Lake District to explore accommodation options in areas that were unfamiliar to them, giving them the chance to visit hotels together, understand the different locations and identify the options that would work best for the production.
For Imogen, going above and beyond is rarely about one grand gesture, but about being dependable, adaptable and willing to understand what a client needs, even when circumstances shift unexpectedly.
“Being flexible and patient is so important, it gives me a sense of job satisfaction that I know I’ve done the best I can.”
– Imogen Gargett
It is an approach that also shapes the way she works with colleagues, particularly in an industry where people can find themselves under pressure from several different directions at once, and rather than taking a difficult request personally, Imogen encourages younger members of the team to remember that the person asking for something may simply be responding to pressures or instructions of their own.
For her, a little patience, understanding and kindness can make a significant difference when everyone is ultimately working towards the same outcome.
Although work keeps Imogen busy, she has also made time to volunteer where she can and hopes to become more involved in voluntary work in the future, while recognising that balancing a demanding career with family and friends can make finding the time challenging.
Receiving the TMC Above and Beyond Award was therefore an unexpected and particularly meaningful moment, as although Imogen knew she had been nominated, she never anticipated being named the winner.
“I guess that I’ve done a good job for the last 20 years, and I’m still doing it,”
– Imogen Gargett
The award is a fitting recognition of the qualities that have shaped Imogen’s career at Access Bookings over the past two decades…experience, dedication, adaptability and a genuine commitment to supporting the people around her, whether that means solving a complex accommodation challenge, helping a colleague build their confidence or simply being there when a production needs her most.
Congratulations to Imogen on this fantastic and thoroughly well-deserved recognition.
If you’re looking for an industry recognised & awarded accommodation and travel provider, why not try us?
At Access Bookings, we have over 30 years of dedicated experience managing travel and accommodation logistics for the TV, film, music and media industry. Let us handle the details so your crew can focus on the shoot, contact us now on 📞UK: +44(0)1543 272 575 / US: +1 323 393 1262 or ✉️ contactus@accessbookings.com.