TORONTO — Nexion Canada’s CanEx event wrapped with a big win – not just for Nexion travel advisors, but everyone who capped the conference with Nexion’s fun get-together at last night’s Toronto Blue Jays game.

Nexion Canada members cheering on the Jays had plenty to smile about, as the home team beat the Boston Red Sox 3-0.

It was the perfect way to end CanEx, which brought some 80 Nexion Canada advisors to the Toronto Airport Marriott Hotel April 27 – 28 for workshops, supplier presentations and networking events, plus an advisor peer panel.

Of course, there was also a trade show for CanEx, with Air Canada, ACV, AmaWaterways, Armstrong Collective Canada, Azamara Cruises, Bedsonline, Celebrity Cruises, CIE Tours, Crystal, Expedia TAAP, Globus family of brands, Goway, Manulife, NCL, Prince Hotels, Royal Caribbean, Santos, SAS, Silversea, Sunwing, Tauck, Travefy, TravelBrands, Uniworld and Viking all taking part.

It was the first edition of CanEx for Nexion Canada, and no doubt there will be more, as the host agency enjoys steady growth in Canada. Nexion Travel Group is owned by Internova Travel Group, and a sister company to Travel Leaders Network.

More than 80 Nexion Canada advisors gathered at Toronto Airport Marriott Hotel April 27 – 28 for CanEx 2026

INTERVIEW WITH JACKIE FRIEDMAN

Nexion Travel Group’s President, Jackie Friedman, was having a blast at last night’s Jays game, along with Esther Roemmele, Director of Canadian Operations at Nexion, and former President of Nexion Canada, Mike Foster.

Travelweek connected with Friedman for a timely Q&A – as the travel industry heads into a summer travel season with more than a few question marks of its own.

Travelweek: The situation facing the travel industry right now is marked by a lot of uncertainty, and that runs the risk of making travellers hesitant to lock in summer travel plans. What are you hearing from Nexion travel advisors?

Friedman: “Here’s the interesting thing: yes, world events have caused people to consider their options, especially when it comes to places like the Middle East or Cuba. But for the most part, summer travel plans have been locked in. Children are out of school and families are eager to travel. I want to emphasize that last part – Canadians are travelling. They might choose to travel domestically, or trade Dubai for France, but they are travelling.

“What our members are seeing for booking windows is something interesting: people are booking 12-18 months ahead or time, or within three months. Summer travel plans are set, or people are waiting until the last minute, which is a risk with properties, planes and ships booking up quickly.”

Travelweek: This is the very first CanEx conference for Nexion in Canada. What can you tell us about the event’s success? And why is it so important for Canadian members of Nexion to have a chance to connect, network and learn right now?

Friedman: “Canadian advisors have unique needs and work in an industry that is very different from other parts of North America. While we always encourage cross-border collaboration, U.S. and Canadian advisors are not the same.

“The connections our members make with each other are a powerful driver of success. CanEx gives our Canadian members a space of their own to share and learn from each other’s distinct perspectives and experiences. This event recognizes that Canadian travel advisors need to talk to peers who understand their market and share their concerns.

“CanEx has showed that Canadian travel advisors are ambitious, intelligent, engaged and ready to grow. Being around likeminded advisors creates energy and inspiration!”

Travelweek: Nexion is seeing many new-to-industry members. Why is this influx of new entrants so important for the retail travel industry?

Friedman: “If our industry wants to have a future, we need to bring in new talent. And it’s such an amazing industry for a new advisor: there can be very little overhead, host agencies and consortia offer meaningful support, it is flexible for family life, and it’s very enjoyable! People love travel, and post-pandemic travellers really see the value an advisor brings.

“The new advisors bring something important to the table too: they have fresh ideas and experience from their prior lives. I always learn a lot from new to the industry advisors and walk away from our conversations inspired.”

Lead image caption: Nexion Travel Group’s President, Jackie Friedman (centre) with Esther Roemmele, Director of Canadian Operations at Nexion (left) and former President of Nexion Canada, Mike Foster (right)