TORONTO — Over 240 advisors, guests and supplier partners attended Travel Professionals International’s (TPI) annual conference, all of whom were encouraged to ‘ignite change’, as per this year’s theme.
Taking place onboard the Norwegian Getaway, the conference is “one of the best places to meet and get up-to-date information on the most important happenings in our industry and our company,” said CEO Zeina Gedeon. “We ensured that our valued advisors have the chance to not just educate themselves but meet with our supplier partners and head office team.”
Gedeon also noted that this year, TPI added sessions that directly related to the business entrepreneur, and that this year’s theme was meant to highlight the positive changes that the company made this past year, as well as inspire its advisors to evolve their business and set new goals.
Other points of interest discussed at the conference include the introduction of self-invoicing, a bilingual TPI website, and TPI’s e-commerce store.
TPI also announced its new corporate charity, Jack.org, which aims to empower young leaders to revolutionize mental health in every province and territory. TPI raised nearly $14,000 last week, with many initiatives taking place over the next year.
Also announced at the conference was a TPI Mentoring program, which will help new advisors gear up their travel business as well as support existing advisors reach the next level.
Participants also learned about the enhanced Velocity Reward program, which has paid out $123,455 for FY18, and the upcoming TPI Reward Trips and TPI’s exclusive STEP Fams to Australia and Cambodia.
In addition to networking and training, TPI advisors, partners and staff collected donations of school supplies and reading materials, which were donated to nine public schools in Tortola, BVI.
And finally, Camille Olivere, Senior Vice President, Sales for Norwegian Cruise Line, also announced onboard that TPI was named NCL’s Canadian Host Agency of the Year Partner.
In 2019, TPI will celebrate its 25th anniversary. Morris Chia, Executive Chairman, said that the company is “looking ahead to a year of record sales growth, as well as an increased focus on marketing and training along with continuing its close relationships with travel partners.”
