More than 650 consultants, managers and suppliers of Quebec-based Club Voyages and Voyages en Liberté travel agencies, part of the Transat Distribution Canada (TDC) network, held their annual meeting on August 19, 20 and 21 under the theme “La petite séduction.” Once again this year, the event—held at the Sheraton Hotel in Laval—was a huge success.

“This event is a one-of-a-kind opportunity for our members to exchanges ideas on industry best practices, and it’s also a chance for the entire TDC team to strengthen ties with its partners,” said Yves Lalumière, President, TDC. “Each year, I’m glad to see that our members and partners are driven by such passion and determination when it comes to helping travellers plan their dream vacation.”

Attendees were able to hone their skills and share experiences with their peers at a number of presentations and workshops. Several subjects were on the agenda at the annual get-together, including a new insurance product, the new-look Club Voyages websites, a new loyalty program for the agencies’ best customers, and a custom marketing offering for the Voyages en Liberté agencies.

Michel Lemay, Vice-President, Communications and Corporate Affairs and Chief Brand Officer, Transat A.T. Inc., took advantage of the gathering to give a presentation to agency owners and managers on the tour operator’s new identity platform and explain its brand strategy. He also spoke to his audience about the issue of child sex tourism, one of the most crucial challenges facing the industry, and the role that travel consultants can play in helping to combat the phenomenon. Online training on the subject is in the works for all TDC network members. Two other notable speakers gave addresses at this year’s meeting: Jean-Luc Tremblay, author of the best-selling La Performance par le plaisir, who explained the one-of-a-kind management model he has developed and tested, and which transcends existing management philosophies; and Alain Choquette, a well-known Quebec magician, who urged participants to take a break, adopt an everything-is-relative approach to their daily lives, and discover the “magic powers” within them.

True to tradition, the impressive Transat gala evening, dubbed “La grande séduction” this year, was a colourful event, with everyone attired in red and black, ready to “seduce” the network. The evening was also a time to salute outstanding efforts by members of the TDC network who, for several years, have had the knack for attracting customers and custom-tailoring vacations for them. “We travelled all over Quebec collecting testimonials from several of our members, in order to illustrate, at the gala, how each one stands out in their own community,” Mr. Lalumière noted. “The great trust placed in us by our partners for so many years, and their loyalty, are extremely important to us, so it’s an honour to be able to acknowledge and thank them in front of their peers and their employees.”

Two more meetings with consultants and managers of TDC network agencies will be held, from September 9 to 11 in Vancouver, and from September 16 to 18 in Toronto.

Transat Distribution Canada is Canada’s leading retail distributor of holiday travel, with approximately 500 outlets. The distribution network, which is affiliated with Transat A.T. Inc., includes the Marlin Travel, TravelPlus, Club Voyages and Voyages en Liberté banners as well as other affiliate members. Transat A.T. Inc. is an integrated international tour operator with more than 60 destination countries and that distributes products in over 50 countries.