16 OCT 2018: Fall means cool nights, leaves turning colour, turkey and pumpkins, and perhaps a snowflake or two if you live in Alberta. Also, the return of the annual Travel Leaders Network Canadian regional road show and mixer. This year TL Network is expecting a total turnout of around 400 agents from events in Toronto (Oct. 9 and 11), Edmonton (Oct. 23) and Vancouver (Oct. 25).

The response so far has been amazing, says TL Network’s VP Canada, Christine James, citing record numbers in Markham, Ont. (Toronto East) and an impressive 28 preferred suppliers, ranging from AMA Waterways to Universal Orlando Resort, for the event’s trade show portion.

“The main objective is to provide for our members an opportunity to get acquainted or reacquainted with our existing programs, enhancements, our new programs, bring our preferred suppliers and members together, and also for our members to network with each other,” James told Travel Industry Today.

The full-day program includes keynote workshops for both owner/managers and agents, including topics such as best business practices, how to attract new talent into the business, and how to make the most of the travel agency network’s programs, as well as a keynote speaker and general session for all delegates.

New this year is a panel made up exclusively of members who share their own information and tips on how they use TL Network programs and solutions to make their business more efficient. “In fact, that went over so well that we ran out of time because we had so many questions from the audience, so obviously we going to continue doing that,” says James.

Popular topics during the session included Agent Profiler, specialist training, and the Agent Universe portal.

And while attendees may be familiar with many of the topics, James points out that sessions are ideal as refreshers as well as perhaps introducing previously unknown functionality. And, she points, out, it’s “a good intro” for agents who may have just joined the network.

To that end, James reports that TL Network has added 28 new member agencies this year, bringing its Canadian roster to almost 700 locations.

In fact, with an agency in the Yukon newly signed on, the only Canadian province or territory not yet in the TL Network Canada fold is Nunavut. “We truly are coast to coast,” says James.

TL Network, part of the Travel Leaders Group, is the largest travel agency network in North America with over 6,000 franchise and consortia agencies (as well as Nexion, the largest host agency in North America). Globally, TLG comprises 52,000 travel agents, 10,000 in its own agencies and 42,000 network affiliates.