Transat Distribution Canada (TDC) gathered with its English Canada owners, managers, preferred partners and leadership team for a strategic retreat from April 15-17 at the River Rock Casino Resort in Richmond, BC.
Owners and managers of franchised and affiliated agencies in Quebec attended a similar event at the Club Med, in Charlevoix, Quebec April 8-10.
TDC General Manager Karine Gagnon. (Photo Credit: Karine Gagnon, directrice générale TDC)
“This Leaders Forum, a gathering for reflection, in addition to our National Leadership Conference, another event held every two years, are important, high-level meetings, that are all aimed at our franchise and affiliate owners and managers,” says TDC General Manager Karine Gagnon.
“We need to offer these entrepreneurs places to meet and exchange, during which they can really reflect, and take a step back with the entire TDC leadership team, preferred partners, and speakers. It’s one of the ways we bring value to our network.”
The gathering’s agenda a a keynote speech by executive coach, entrepreneur, and author Cloé Caron; a workshop on equity, diversity, and inclusion; an extensive round-table session to promote the exchange of best practices among members; and an update on the TDC network’s strategic priorities.
“Once again, we presented a rich agenda, focused on the realities these entrepreneurs face daily. I’m particularly pleased with the impact of the presentation by Cloé Caron, an experienced speaker because the feedback I received from the owners was that her content hit the nail on the head,” Gagnon said.
TDC General Manager Karine Gagnon addresses the 2024 TDC Leaders Forum. (Photo Credit: Transat Distribution Canada)
“Each member present was able to reflect on his or her Unique Strategic Contribution (USC), a concept developed by Cloé Caron. Everyone asked themselves what their highest strategic level is, i.e. what only they can achieve in their team. This is a fundamental element that leaders must focus on if they are to create the influence they wish to have on their organization.”
Gagnon concludes by adding that “the other highlight of the Forum was our round-table discussions, a two-hour session during which we were all in reflection and sharing mode, and where members of our leadership team were in active listening mode. Because offering our members this forum to ask for their feedback on TDC’s role in the success of their business is essential for us.”
Marc Pelletier has been named senior director, marketing, communications and events for Transat Distribution Canada. (Photo Credit: LinkedIn)
“For me, the agenda we’ve put together perfectly embodies what the TDC network is all about, its key strengths and its values,” says Marc Pelletier, Senior Director, Marketing, Communications, and Events.
“One of the strengths of the TDC network is that it’s a one-stop shop for the Canadian travel industry; we’re the only network to offer all business models, including franchised and affiliated agencies and an agent@home program for independent contractors, in addition to our own agencies. We make sure that all our members benefit from what’s being put forward in either sector.”
Pelletier says the 2024 TDC Leaders Forum was the perfect opportunity to share data from a recent Canada-wide study commissioned by TDC from IPSOS, showing trends in the use of travel professionals.
“The survey reveals that 31% of Canadians have used the services of a travel professional in the last 12 months. A higher proportion (40% of Canadians) intend to use their services within the next year. This data sparked some interesting discussions, and clearly demonstrated that the trend of travellers using travel professionals is strong and firmly established,” says Pelletier.
Dianne Jackson, TDC’s Director, Franchise & Affiliates, works the roundtables. (Photo Credit: Transat Distribution Canada)
“What I like the most about these events is the networking opportunity and most importantly, the sharing of ideas with my peers. I must say that this year, especially with the round table session and the keynote from Cloé Caron, we were rewarded with some truly enriching discussions,” said Peggy McKnight, Owner, Marlin Travel Cambridge.
Ying Chun, Owner, Bay View World Travel and Cruises, said that the quality and the variety of content presented during the 2024 edition of the TDC Leaders Forum was impressive.
“In my opinion, the most interesting part of the entire event, or should I say the most valuable for me, was the financial benchmarks presentation, because it provided an important point of comparison, to better guide my business decisions. Furthermore, the presentation of TDC’s strategic priorities by General Manager Karine Gagnon is positive for the organization’s future,” Chun said.
Lea Horsman, Manager, Marlin Travel Yorkton, is new to the travel industry and it was her first-ever participation in a TDC event.
“I leave my first edition of the TDC Leaders Forum with a head full of ideas, and data about travel trends that I am looking forward to putting to good use.”
Preferred TDC partners were in attendance at the Leaders Forum, including Transat as the presenting sponsor. Other major sponsors in attendance were Manulife, Air Canada Vacations, TravelBrands and WestJet Vacations.
