One of the challenges the travel industry is facing – and has faced for many years now – is an ageing population among its ranks of travel agents.

Travel schools and colleges have many students but they don’t all choose to become a travel agent once they start working in the industry.

The Travel Agent Next Door recognized this a long time ago and has always operated a program for people outside the industry who wanted to become a travel agent. But becoming a home-based travel agent has the additional challenge of needing colleagues and building relationships in the industry and that’s where the annual conference comes in.

Here’s an interview with two new-to-the-industry TTAND agents describing their experience of conference and why it is so beneficial …

Veronica Van Cooten

VVC Travel

Brampton, ON

Is this your first TTAND conference?

This is my first TTAND Conference – but definitely will not be my last!  Can’t wait to attend 2026!

Veronica Van Cooten

How long have you been an agent?

I completed my training with TTAND in December 2024, right before Christmas.

Are you a Primary or an Associate agent?

I figured if I’m going to do this, I might as well jump right in and become a Primary Agent. It felt like the right choice to really dive into the business and take full advantage of the opportunities.

What is the main reason you attend the annual conference?

As a brand new agent with TTAND and no prior experience in the travel industry, I attended the TTAND annual conference to learn as much as I could. Honestly, I didn’t have many expectations – I simply wanted to soak it all in and see what the experience was like. I was blown away by how welcoming and supportive the environment was. Connecting with experienced agents and suppliers, attending the sessions, and hearing real stories gave me a huge boost of confidence and motivation.

What is the biggest takeaway from this conference for you?

My biggest takeaway from the TTAND conference was that I’m not alone on this journey. As someone brand new to the travel industry and working from home, it can sometimes feel a bit overwhelming or isolating — but this experience completely changed that. The support, knowledge, and sense of

community within TTAND is incredible.

What is the value of having suppliers at conferences?

Having suppliers at the conference is incredibly valuable because it creates a unique opportunity to build direct relationships and gain insights into the products and services they offer. I was especially grateful for the supplier lunches, the 10 one-on-one meetings, and the ability to dine with suppliers at dinner – these interactions allowed me to ask questions, get first-hand information, and understand what makes each supplier stand out.

Karen Desanti, CTA

The Travel Agent Next Door

Lincoln, ON

Is this your first TTAND conference? How many have you attended?

This was my second TTAND conference. My first was in Jordan, so the bar was set pretty high!

Karen Desnanti Medium

How long have you been an agent?

I became a full-time agent at the beginning of 2023.

Are you a Primary or an Associate? 

I’m a primary agent – solo, no associates.

What is the main reason you attend the annual conference?

There are so many reasons to attend TTAND’s annual conference. As I mentioned, the conference in Jordan was my first. Initially, I registered because I couldn’t resist the opportunity to visit Jordan. Don’t get me wrong, Jordan was spectacular. Literally life- changing. What I didn’t expect was that the conference turned out to be the best part of the trip. It’s intense. The first three days are packed with so much information that it can be overwhelming but the support team at TTAND handles things beautifully.

Here’s what makes it the best …

. The Buddy Program: TTAND pairs first-time attendees with agents that have already attended a conference.  It’s a way of making new attendees feel welcome and supported. Having another agent to help you navigate the schedule, the venue, prepare for supplier 1:1 meetings, or to share a meal with makes conference goers feel like they are part of the family … and TTAND is a family.

. The Agents: TTAND agents are some of the most supportive and generous.  Each year, I make new connections that stay with me long after the conference is over. I have built a network of agents that I am constantly chatting with – bouncing ideas around, asking questions, developing strategies. It’s

amazing how collaborative the TTAND community can be.

. The Support Team: Getting to put faces to names and build in person relationships with the people who help us to run our businesses, serve our clients and work with suppliers is invaluable.

. Guest Speakers: TTAND invests in bringing some of the best guest speakers with us to offer industry insight, business advice, travel trends. The best part is that TTAND ASKS THE AGENTS what they’d like to learn about! This makes the speakers relevant to our businesses in a very real way.

What is the biggest takeaway from this conference for you?  

Supplier one-on-one sessions are one of the most important parts of the conference for me. I found that this year, I had a more targeted approach to my supplier one on one sessions. I knew who I wanted to speak with and I had very focused questions. That 10 minutes goes by so quickly!

What is the value of having suppliers at conference? 

It’s tough to put a value on having the suppliers there. If they weren’t, I’m not sure I would feel the same about the experience. I know that when I need to contact a BDM, that they will know who I am because I met them and spent time with them at the TTAND annual conference.