Travel Leaders Network completed its annual fall Canadian Regional events last week with more than 550 enthusiastic advisors having attended across three cities – Edmonton, Vancouver, and Toronto (West). Dubbed “Peak” (Programs, Education, Advisors and Knowledge), the at-capacity events were a mix of training and business advancement and enhancement sessions, networking with suppliers and peers, and a bustling trade show.

TLN VP Canada Christine James said the energy of the events, which boasted record numbers, aligned with booming business that is seeing sales outpace last year by about 25 to 30%, as well as a membership base that is out and about again and “so tired” of the zoom meetings of the past few years.

The events attracted 60-plus suppliers across the three cities for a day of seminars, panels, trade show, dinner, and prizes, with James observing that the shows get bigger every year and the primary problem now is finding venues that can accommodate the growing numbers.

As for the business, James says most of the logistical problems of the pandemic have past (like accessibly of suppliers due to the travel surge combined with staff shortages), not least through advances in automation – at least for individual bookings – but noted that many suppliers are still struggling with groups and that the segment is not yet “where it needs to be.”

Luxury and “bucket list” travel continues to lead the way for TLN members, James added, showing exponential growth and increased spending on trips in the wake of the pandemic.

Artificial intelligence is a subject that is top of mind with members, she added, noting that TLN will introduce a (free) tool for members to use by the end of the year, and has held expert seminars and released a downloadable guide on the subject.

James says the initial reaction to AI was that it is a threat, but that TLN is encouraging (and teaching) members to “take advantage of it rather than be afraid.”

Also coming will be the introduction of an enhanced version of Soft Voyage’s B to C solution, Sirva.

TLN’s proprietary Agent Profiler continues to provide dividends, she continued, noting that nearly a thousand agents are on the system with over 10,000 leads provided so far this year.

James said a list of 24 Canadian “mixer” events for 2024 will be released soon and noted that the organization’s annual international EDGE conference will take place June 8-11 in Washington, DC at National Harbor, site of the 2019 conference.