One wonders if Zeina Gedeon missed her calling: comedian extraordinaire. After all, the outrageously outspoken president and CEO of newly minted Trevello (formerly Travel Professionals International, or TPI), certainly knows how to crack up an audience.
Gedeon’s quirky presentation (well, not for her), was delivered to a group of VIP trade partners at the equally unusual Rec Room venue at Square One shopping mall in Mississauga, where guests were later invited to stay for bowling, snooker, and ping-pong afterwards. Not your typical trade event.
Trevello’s more serious intent of the evening was to show partners that, with rebranding efforts complete, it is ready, as the always understated Gedeon declared, “to take over the world.”
Jokes aside, Gedeon detailed the host agency’s plans to have “the most innovative model” for a host agency in 2023, including new commission levels – all the way up to 100% on some products – as well as more earning and customization opportunities.
Foremost among them is Trevello steaming full on into the cruise sector, the organization introducing a full product line of cruise companies. Headed by Caroline Hay, the division will offer a comprehensive cruise strategy that includes agent training, including seminars at sea, marketing campaigns, newsletter, and creating a cruise community.
“We want you to know that we are both land and sea,” Hay said.
Other product lines to be tapped by Trevello will include luxury and sustainability.
Gedeon touted radical tech changes at the organization that will allow for greater analytics and replacing what she frankly called “the worst back-end system in the world.”
That will include the introduction of a lead generation program and a social media platform for members to utilize.
Member services are also in for an upgrade with the addition of eight new staff members, and another eight to come.
In 2023, a strategic partners program will take flight.
Gedeon says the pandemic was obviously a curse – “no business at all” – for members, but also a blessing by giving the former TPI a chance to up its game, including its rebranding efforts.
The timing for the unveiling of Trevello is perfect, she said, adding, “Advisors are much more hungry and much more focussed (coming out of the pandemic), and we want to run with it.”
Indeed, she reports, sales this year are already up 5% over record year 2019, and commissions up 9% based on average bookings of about $1,900, which is significantly higher than the $1,100 pre-pandemic level.
2023 will also feature expansion into the US and something big Gedeon said was killing her not to reveal yet.
But she did assure her guests, in her inimitable way, that as the new year unfolds and the new-look Trevello hits its stride, “We will be kicking ass all along the way!”