TORONTO — Transat Distribution Canada (TDC) wrapped up its annual conference in Ontario this past weekend, where more than 200 participants came together for three days of networking, professional development and new product announcements.

Newly named Rendez-vous, the conference, held at the Hilton Mississauga Meadowvale hotel from Sept. 19-21, left advisors feeling inspired and informed about practical strategies designed to help them strengthen their role as trusted travel professionals.

Rendez-vous opened Friday with a dedicated forum for agency owners and managers, which provided an update on TDC initiatives and professional development programming before the full conference began Saturday and Sunday. The format has become a tradition, with leadership forums in both spring and fall creating opportunities for owners to meet, network and receive training alongside business updates.

This year’s theme, “Star Power: Lighting the way in the sky of choices,” set the tone for the weekend. Speaking with Travelweek, General manager Karine Gagnon said it was chosen to highlight both the collective strength of the advisor community and the importance of standing out individually. “Star Power really is about celebrating the brilliance and the influence of travel professionals and how they can be the best guiding star for their customers,” she said.

New Marketing Tools for Members

One of the major announcements was the introduction of Canva templates designed exclusively for TDC members. These brand-approved templates will allow advisors to create professional marketing materials quickly and easily, using pre-set logos and colours.

Marc Pelletier

Marc Pelletier, senior director of marketing, said the tool was well received by Quebec members at Transat’s conference earlier this month and was launched for franchisees during the Ontario event. Affiliates will have access shortly after. “We’re making it even easier by creating templates that are brand approved with the right colours, the logos, etc. So we’re launching that for our franchise members, and soon after for our affiliate members as well,” he said.

In addition to Canva, TDC expanded its Marketing Masterclasses. After introducing AI-focused training last year, the program now includes a new module on digital marketing, guiding advisors through strategies such as targeted social media advertising and performance tracking. TDC will be offering a second round of AI classes next year. These courses are free for franchisees and available at a reduced cost for affiliates.

Keynote Speakers Deliver Fresh Perspectives

The conference featured three keynote speakers chosen to inspire, inform and challenge attendees.

• Linguistics expert Sara Gilbert addressed the importance of word choice in building stronger client relationships.
• Cybersecurity specialist Steve Waterhouse shared insights into preventing digital breaches, an issue affecting businesses of all sizes.
• NASA systems engineer Farah Alibay closed the event with a personal and professional story of resilience, innovation and inspiration.

Their sessions complemented a robust agenda of workshops covering wellness travel, social media, cruise trends and premium product knowledge.

Supporting Advisor Growth and Differentiation

Professional and personal development remain central pillars for TDC. Workshops and keynote sessions were designed to help advisors refine their skills while learning how to differentiate themselves in a crowded market.

Gagnon said the ability to stand out is more important than ever. “It’s not just about putting destinations and products forward but how can TDC help them position themselves as unique and being the added value,” she explained.

Independent contractors also remain a priority. Recent investments include Invoicing 2.0, which cuts administrative time by up to 50 percent, as well as access to professional development webinars, including an upcoming business development session on Oct. 7, 2025.

Travel Trends for 2025 and Beyond

The conference also offered an opportunity to reflect on current market conditions. Following the post-Covid ‘rebound’ year in 2022 and travel’s record comeback in 2023, Gagnon described 2025 as steady, which she said is “always good news.” Although recent dips in U.S.-bound travel are having “some impact,” an upswing in traditional South vacation packages has helped boost travel demand despite global uncertainties. Gagnon also noted a clear shift toward premium and luxury travel, with customers increasingly seeking added comfort and curated experiences.

“Customers are looking for value. They’re being careful with their dollars but at the same time, there’s this growing trend for more comfort, more upscale, more premium, luxury travel,” she said.

Hot destinations included Japan, Portugal, Peru and Morocco, along with emerging demand for Brazil. Transat itself has supported these trends with new flights to Lima and Marrakesh.

Looking ahead, Gagnon said early bookings for 2026 are tracking consistently, with September sales showing strength compared to the previous year. More than 80 percent of surveyed members reported being satisfied with their sales outlook.

Motivating Members Through Recognition

Beyond business tools, TDC continues to keep members motivated through recognition programs and special events. Recent initiatives such as the National Leadership Conference in Marbella, Spain and Bravo trips in Peru and Morocco are designed to celebrate top performers, reward excellence and foster a sense of community across the network. These gatherings provide members with opportunities to exchange ideas, strengthen professional ties and stay engaged year-round.

“Owners are tired and under a lot of stress, and it’s not easy today to recruit new staff. TDC is conscious of this reality, which is why pulling away for a week to help owners and managers fine tune their leadership skills can help with them feeling less overwhelmed with their business,” said Gagnon. “TDC is here to support them and make them even better leaders so that they can, in turn, support their staff better.”