The culture of Trevello Travel Group, and one of its top advisors, were recognized by Virtuoso at the networks’ recent 2026 Travel Week, resulting in a landmark night for the Canadian host agency.
Trevello scored top honours at the event’s Global Awards night in Las Vegas: Best Agency Culture in Canada and Most Admired (Canadian) Advisor – Patrick Cullinane of Travel Navigators in St. John’s, Nlfd.
Virtuoso Chairman and CEO Matthew D. Upchurch noted that this year’s honourees exemplify the dedication to excellence and collaborative spirit that define Virtuoso, recognizing their contributions to the network and the luxury travel industry.
Zeina Gedeon, CEO of Trevello Travel Group, says the two honours together offer a compelling reflection of Trevello’s model: creating an environment and culture “designed not only to attract exceptional advisors, but to help them build sustainable, successful and highly personal travel businesses… while feeling supported, connected and part of a strong community.”
The Best Agency Culture award recognizes the Virtuoso member agency that demonstrates an exceptional commitment to its people and fosters a workplace culture in which advisors are supported, valued and empowered to thrive.
For Trevello, the recognition represents powerful external validation of a culture that has been central to the company’s growth and identity.
“Winning Best Agency Culture in Canada, among such an exceptional group of Virtuoso agencies, is an incredible honour, and it means everything to us,” said Gedeon. “This award isn’t about a policy or a perk. It’s about how our advisors feel every day, supported, valued and genuinely part of a family. That is the culture we have worked so hard to build at Trevello, and it is what we are committed to delivering to every advisor who joins us.”
Most Admired Advisor
At the same time, Patrick Cullinane, of Travel Navigators and a Trevello independent advisor since 2008, was named Canada’s Most Admired Advisor by Virtuoso.
Based in St. John’s, Cullinane has built his travel business over nearly two decades while leveraging Trevello’s support and community to serve his clients and grow on his own terms.
“I am truly humbled by this award, I shake my head when I think about the recognition as I am just a guy who loves to travel and create personalized travel itineraries from his home office in St John’s, Newfoundland,” said Cullian. “Thank you to Trevello, Virtuoso and all those that have supported me since I stepped into this roller coaster industry! I look forward to many more years of partnering with clients to create their ideal vacation and checking off experiences around the world with my wife Maureen and family!
“This award is really a win for Trevello’s culture,” he continued. “It’s the support and sense of family that have allowed me to build my business my way, from home in St. John’s. That culture is the real story here.”
Gedeon enthused, “To see Patrick Cullian recognized as Canada’s Most Admired Advisor on the very same night (as receiving the Culture award) makes this moment even more meaningful. His success is a powerful example of what is possible when talented entrepreneurs have the freedom to build their business their way, backed by a community that truly has their back.”
A culture built for advisors who want to grow
Moreover, as Trevello continues to expand its community of independent travel advisors across Canada, the agency says its Best Agency Culture recognition provides a powerful answer to one of the most important questions an advisor can ask when considering a new host agency: What is it really like to be part of Trevello?
The answer is reflected, it says, in the experience of advisors like Cullinane and now independently recognized by Virtuoso.
Trevello combines the entrepreneurial freedom of an independent advisor model with the infrastructure, expertise, community and relationships needed to build a thriving travel business. Through its Virtuoso membership and global preferred partnerships, Trevello advisors have access to resources and opportunities designed to elevate both their businesses and their clients’ travel experiences.
But at the heart of the Trevello experience is its people, the agency continues. The company’s culture is built around connection, collaboration and genuine advisor support, creating an environment where independent advisors can grow their businesses without having to build alone.
“These awards are a reflection of what happens when you put people first,” says Gedeon. “We are incredibly proud of the recognition, but we are even prouder of the advisors who make Trevello what it is. This is their award, too.”
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