TL Network Canada Awards Top Partners

Canadian agents and suppliers were among those celebrated at the annual Travel Leaders Network EDGE (Educate, Discover, Gather, Evolve) conference at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in National Harbor, Washington, DC.

“The Power of the Partnership Awards recognize our top producing members both in terms of their sales production as well as their program adoption,” Christine James, TL Network’s vice president Canada, told PressToday. “Travel Leaders Network is proud to honour these member agencies for their outstanding business acumen, utilization of Travel Leaders tools and technology, demonstrated partnership with preferred suppliers and dedication to serving their clients.”

The Chairman’s Awards were presented to the affiliate member agencies with the highest supplier sales in 2018, while recipients of Travel Leaders Network’s President’s Award are those affiliate member agencies with the largest supplier sales growth in 2018.

And The Chairman’s Award winners are:

Chairman’s Host Award – Centre Holidays; Carlton Montaut (Mississauga, ON)

Chairman’s Elite Event Award – The Destination Experts; Deanna Byrne (Windsor, Nova Scotia). Byrne was also recognized as the Top pinSight Booker.

Photo Chairman’s Pinnacle Award – Nexion Canada; Mike Foster (London, ON). Foster is pictured receiving his award from Christine James, Vice President of TL Network Canada in the main image.

Taking home The President’s Award are:

All In One Travel & Services, Ltd.; Miroslava Plihtiak (Mississauga, ON). Pictured here is Diana Plihtiak.

Photo eHome Travel Group; Paul Leung (Richmond, BC)

KVI Travel; Kyle Oram (Kelowna, BC). Oram was also recognized as the Top CruisePRO Booking Agency.

Photo Travel Leaders also recognized a new affiliate member who has demonstrated outstanding support for the network, along with its programs and tools with the New Member award, which was awarded to Anne Winter of Verstraete Travel & Cruises in Aurora, Ont.

Meanwhile, Julianne Evans of Valente Travel in Windsor, Ont., was recognized as the Top Producing Distinctive Voyages Host, and Beth Gardner of Custom Travel Solutions Calgary was awarded Top Worldwide and SELECT Hotel Booker.

Travel Leaders Network also presented an award to its top member agency utilizing Travel Leaders Group’s “Distinctive Voyages” program, which features hundreds of sailings throughout the world that include exclusive, complimentary amenities. The Top Distinctive Voyages Sales award went to Lola Vassiliadis of Cruise Holidays Oakville/Lawrence Park, who hasn’t missed a conference in 21 years.

TL Network Canada also recognized its top supplier partners during the conference.

“Our business is built upon strong, highly valued partnerships with our preferred suppliers,” said John Lovell, president — Leisure Travel, Supplier Relations & Networks for Travel Leaders Group, the parent company of TL Network Canada. “With these awards, we are honouring those that have truly gone above and beyond in the areas of partnership and support to ensure our mutual success during the past year.”

And the 2019 Canadian Awards go to:

Sunwing / Signature Vacations was awarded Outstanding Partner of the Year, which is presented to the leading Canadian preferred partner in agency and headquarters sales support, excellence in product offerings, innovative promotions and overall outstanding contributions to the growth of the network.

Let’s talk about groups, baby. Air Canada Vacations was recognized with the Top Group Sales award, presented to a supplier partner that leads the way in streamlining the group booking process and fosters segment growth.

This year, TL Network Canada re-introduced its Belong, Inspire, Grow awards, which recognize supplier partners for outstanding innovation, excellence, support and sales. In a manner of belonging, Manulife Insurance was the recipient of the Belong Award, given to a supplier partner that consistently delivers best in class sales support and innovation in terms of field sales, sales methodologies and support solutions.

For inspiration, look no further than TravelBrands, who received the Inspire Award, which recognizes a supplier partner that inspires TL Network Canada members with new products, practices and resources.

Finally, WestJet Vacations took home the Grow Award, given to a supplier partner that delivers a highly competitive product that consistently yields outstanding sales.

“On behalf of everyone at TL Network Canada, we extend our congratulations to all of our supplier partner award winners on these very well-deserved honours,” added James. “We value each and every one of our preferred suppliers and these awards serve to recognize the depth of our appreciation for our most outstanding partners.”

In its 2019 North America Awards, Globus family of brands was honoured with the Pinnacle Award, which recognizes the best all-around preferred partner for the past year in terms of agency and headquarters sales support, product offerings, innovative programs and overall contributions to the membership.

Other awards included: Outstanding Sales Support, Royal Caribbean International; Sales Achievement, Viking Cruises; Outstanding Luxury Partner, Crystal Cruises; and Distinctive Voyages Cruise Line Partner of the Year, Celebrity Cruises.