ACTA held its annual general meeting on May 28 during which association members voted on the nine positions available to its Board of Directors. The national organization also reactivated its regional advisory committees.

Immediately following the conclusion of the AGM, the newly elected Board of Directors appointed three positions to round out the 12-person Board.

For the coming year Monica Johnstone CTC becomes ACTA Board Chair; Vice-Chair is Mel Carter CTM; Treasurer is Gary Gaudry; and Secretary, Brian Robertson.

“I am honoured to take on the role of ACTA Board Chair,” said Johnstone. “I look forward to working with the ACTA board and other stakeholders to advocate for travel agencies, travel advisors and independent travel advisors.”

The new ACTA Board of Directors for the year 2024-25 is:

• Mark Greenwood, Director of Operations, Travel Masters, representing British Columbia/Yukon region
• Peter Keyter, Director and General Counsel, The Travel Lady, representing Alberta/Northwest Territories region
• Karen Schabel CTM, Training and Development Coordinator, CAA Saskatchewan, representing Saskatchewan region
• Melanie (Mel) Carter CTM, Director, Travel Product, CAA Club Group of Companies, representing Manitoba/Nunavut region
• Monica Johnstone CTC, President, UNIGLOBE Travel Innovations, representing Ontario region
• Serge H. Malaison, Director General, Voyages Centaure, representing Québec region
• Gary Gaudry, President, Maritime Travel, representing Atlantic region
• Zeina Gedeon, CEO, Trevello, ACTA Director at Large
• Brian Robertson, President, Direct Travel (Canada West), ACTA Director at Large
• Shalene Dudley, CEO Latitude Concierge Travels, ACTA Appointed Director
• Michael Johnson, President, Ensemble, ACTA Appointed Director
• Rocky Racco, Owner and CEO, TTI Travel, ACTA Appointed Director.

ACTA president, Wendy Paradis thanked the following outgoing board members for their contribution and dedication: Liz Fleming, GM, North South Travel; Geneviève Dupuy-Duplessis, VP, Club Voyages Dumoulin; and Mary Jane Hiebert CTC, Owner, Oyster Travel Service.

 Regional advisory committees

ACTA notes that, along with the national board of directors, it consults with its re-instated regional advisory committees, TALA (Travel Agency Leaders Advisory Group); ITA (Independent Travel Advisor Committee, Canadian Corporate Travel Advisory (CCTA) committee, the Air Advocacy committee and the Travel Supplier committee to ensure all stakeholders have been heard and to enable ACTA to “form consensus and speak with one voice.”

A complete list of the Regional Advisory Committees can be found HERE.