About Us

Our medical conventions and dental conventions cover current issues relevant to Australian and New Zealand GPs, specialists and practice managers, in some of the world’s most fascinating destinations. We are an accredited education provider with the RACGP and ACRRM. All of our conferences also meet the requirements of the Dental Board of Australia’s CPD requirements. As a registered travel agency, we provide a complete travel package. The efficient and friendly organisation of the social program enables delegates and their partners to enjoy the best of these stimulating locations.

What is special about us…..??

We, Margot Cunich (a practising medical practitioner), Rod Cunich (a practising lawyer) and Mark Cunich (a ex-chartered accountant), the principals of Unconventional Conventions, recognise the importance of continuing professional education and the need for appropriate work-life-balance which are both central to Unconventional Conventions’ philosophy. Given the heavy workload of Australian doctors and dentists, plus the competing demands on their time, Unconventional Conventions offers the opportunity to combine both quality education and travel. Unconventional Conventions grew in response to these needs.  With years of experience, today Unconventional Conventions provides high-quality conferences for professionals coupled with travel to some of the most fascinating places in the world

The Professional Programme

Unconventional Conventions is a family owned and operated business. We accept no sponsorship from big business; no drug companies, no software providers, no publishers or any other service provider. This gives us a free hand in designing the professional program to suit our delegates. UC is an RACGP accredited education provider and meet the cruiteria set out by the DBA for CPD. Each of our continuing professional development programs is individually designed to address topics of current interest and is relevant to our professionals and their practices. Recognised and respected specialists present at our conferences and their presentations are specially prepared for our conferences. Each travel destination provides a unique opportunity for local professional contribution and professional cultural exchange through workshops and structured visits to local clinics. Our programs are certifiable with the RNZCGP and Dental Board of Australia.

The Travel Programme

Because of our enthusiasm for seeing the world, we are hands-on – developing the travel programme ourselves in conjunction with our travel agent. We research and visit the destination to seek out the “must-sees” as well as tracking down the “out of the ordinary”. Our aim is to put together a programme which provides you with a truly special and unique experience in a chosen location. From many years of experience and travel with fellow professionals, we know your interests so we utilise the best expert local guides who can bring to life the history, art, architecture and culture of the places you visit. We know you also love good food, wine, music, dancing and shopping and we make sure you get a chance to enjoy the best of these as well. We provide extensive background information about each destination before you travel. We take great pleasure in accompanying the group. We take pride in our attention to fine detail and aim to make your travel seamless.

Who comes along

Our delegates are from across Australia and NZ from all types of practices. The balance of social and academic activities are designed to make attending a UC conference suitable for a broad range of people – professional couples, professionals whose partners are practice managers, professionals with long-suffering partners who do not participate in their practices, friends and people traveling alone. Some wonderful friendships have developed amongst our regular travellers. A testament to us getting it right is that we commonly have 50 percent or more repeat customer rate at each conference.

Mixing Activities

If you wish to break free from time to time and experience something not offered in the main program, UC will do its best to accommodate your wishes. Soft adventure options are offered with most trips: rafting on the Zambezi, walking the Inca Trail and ballooning over the Valley of the Kings to name just a few.

Timing

The dates of UC conferences are selected to ensure you get to see the destinations at their very best.

Staying on a bit longer

Some destinations are lifetime ambitions. If you wish to extend your stay or go exploring further then we can assist you in making arrangements.

The Unconventional Team

Dr Margot Cunich

Margot has been a director of Unconventional Conventions since 1993.  In addition, she works two and half days a week as a GP in Bondi Junction, Sydney.  She loves designing and planning travel programs, adventures and unique experiences for delegates. Margot is passionate about continuing education and the sharing of knowledge amongst colleagues and designs and administers the academic content of all the conferences. Of course, she loves travel, meeting new people, learning about different cultures, history, music and art.

Some little facts about Margot:

1. She has a grand-dog called Kramer… and also a new grandson called Ira !!!!

2. She has a husband, Rod (fellow director of UC) and sons Mark (managing director of UC) and Simon (documentary film maker and graphic designer)

3. She loves reading, walking, champagne and good food

4. She has a wicked sense of humour

Mr Mark Cunich

Mark is Co-Managing Director of Unconventional Conventions. He accompanied his parents on conferences as a young lad and has been determined to be a part of the family enterprise ever since. He studied Commerce at Sydney University, attained his chartered accounting qualifications at KPMG and then travelled the world before returning to Sydney to work in a large insolvency firm. In 2010, he joined his mother, Margot, to become an integral part of Unconventional Conventions. He has enabled the organisation to grow from 1 or 2 conferences a year to 6 or 7, allowing delegates to choose from a wide range of fantastic destination and academic programs – something to appeal to everyone. Mark also edits the Unconventional Magazine which often include his own photos.

Some little facts about Mark.

1. He has a dog called Kramer

2. He is passionate about photography

3. He spends half of the year travelling the world with Unconventional Conventions groups.

4. He is currently working remotely whilst travelling around Australia in a motorhome.

Mr Rod Cunich

Rod has been a director of Unconventional Conventions since 1993. He is currently transitioning into retirement after working as a lawyer specialising in personal estate planning and business succession planning. He has lectured nationally and internationally on a range of topics relating to business transactions, business structures, corporate governance, wealth protection, personal estate planning and business exit planning.

At Unconventional Conventions conferences he presents lectures on estate planning and runs workshops about practice management. He does pro bono work for a number of Not for Profit organisations, particularly in the disability sector. He has recently completed a Masters of Law and written a book for lay people about estate planning and wills.

Some little facts about Rod:

1. He is passionate about photography

2. He enjoys riding his bicycle, writing and drawing – quite the renaissance man

3. He makes a mean curry and is not averse to a drop of red wine

4. He loves travelling and would love to be able to do more of it

Ms Gill Young

Gill is a senior travel consultant for Convention Travel, Unconventional Conventions’ in-house travel agency. She owned and ran a very successful travel business in Wollongong for 25 years. She sold the business and after a year in retirement, joined Convention Travel in 2008. She has brought a vast range of skills and knowledge about all aspects of travel, destinations and tourism to Convention Travel. Her enthusiasm, professionalism, eye for detail and sparkling personality enhance the travel experience for delegates.

Some little facts about Gill

1. She has a dog called Ruby and a cow called Caramel

2. She lives on a farm near Canberra

3. She is the shopping queen

4. She is passionate about travel and has been to over 100 countries (and counting)

Mrs Michelle Sutton

Michelle joined Convention Travel in August 2011. She worked in retail travel in the 90s leaving the industry to have children and to help her husband in starting their own business.  As well as managing 3 conferences a year, Michelle is also the company book-keeper and accounts manager for Convention Travel. She is essential to smooth operation behind the scenes to provide the best service to delegates.

Some little facts about Michelle:

1.  She wakes at 4am to drive her daughters to swimming training

2.  She lives on a small property just outside of Canberra

3.  She is a qualified swim coach

4.  She has a great sense of humour

Ms Amy Mayhill

Amy is one of our travel consultants for Convention Travel, with a background in retail and corporate travel, specializing in group movement.
Amy loves a good spreadsheet as well as the outdoors, especially the beach, and enjoys exploring the amazing National Parks and coastlines around Sydney.

Some little facts about Amy:

1. She grew up in New Zealand and moved to Sydney 5 years ago looking for warmer weather

2. Plays netball and teaches Pilates in Bondi

3. Has a pug nephew named Leo

4. She once met Sir Peter Jackson on the streets of NZ (because that’s how small it really is)

Ms Jillian Balch

Jillian has nearly 20 years in the travel industry spanning corporate, wholesale and event management and loves the challenge of creating memorable experiences.

She is a passionate traveller and always seeks out the most immersive adventure a new destination has to offer …plus hopefully a few new recipes.

Little facts about Jillian

1. Another Unconventional Kiwi, she has nested in Sydney’s eastern suburbs

2. She lived in LA in the nineties

3. Her happy place is in the kitchen, or on a beach, baking.

4. Her favourite destination is usually where ever she went last

Dr Tiffany Chen

Tiffany is a dentist and the Academic Co-ordinator for the conference programs. She moved to NZ from Taiwan with her family at a young age then hopped across the Tasman to attain her dental degree in Australia. Since graduating, her inquisitive nature has led her to attending a wide range of multi-day CPD courses including forensic dentistry. Often combining these CPD events with travel of course! Tiffany is devoted to creating academic programs that are engaging and relevant. She can’t wait to share them with you on our conferences.

1. She talks to her plants

2. She is always on the look out for beautiful hiking trails

3. She loves foreign languages

4. She is about to embark on a trip around Australia whilst working as a locum dentist

Mrs Samantha Ryan

Sam is our Senior Client Relationship Manager. She gained a range of experiences and has some interesting stories from her retail days. Now she works in our office, looking after our client database and performing numerous valuable admin services while juggling raising a family. Since being with Unconventional Conventions she has expanded her knowledge of countries, cultures and challenging databases.

Some little facts about Samantha.

1 . She is only called Samantha if she is in trouble.

2 Is married with four children.

3. Has Beagle puppy called Scout.

4. Volunteers for her local surf club and Netball club.

5. Likes to keep busy, which she is both at work and home.

Ms Sammie Tritschler

Sammie is our Travel Accounts Assistant, she assists the Travel Events Coordinators behind the scenes to provide the best service to the delegates. Sammie completed year 12 in 2018.

Some little facts about Sammie:

1. She lives on acreage just outside of Yass

2. She loves horses and competing in Equestrian Events

3. She enjoys swimming

4. She also enjoys Photography

Mr Kramer Cunich

Kramer joined the Unconventional Conventions team in 2012, at the age of 6 weeks. He was brought in as the HR manager but has recently appointed himself head of security. His primary tasks include barking when there is a knock at the door and shredding paper. Kramer has his own desk and chair but will reposition himself to co-worker’s seats to get a better view out the window.

Kramer’s presence is completely counterproductive to the business but he claims credit for Unconventional Conventions’ inclusion in the BRW 100 Fastest Growing Companies in 2014.

Some little facts about Kramer:

1. He loves long walks on the beach, in the park, through the back streets of Sydney… anywhere really.

2. He is a groodle

3. He often flies to Queensland for holidays and collects frequent flyer points.

4. He is afraid of people walking in slow motion and ibises.

5. His favourite movie is Jurassic Park