By Michael Baginski/ ACTA’s 35th annual golf tournament last week marked a milestone on more than just the course as the association’s popular president Wendy Paradis officially celebrated her last day with the organization before retirement and passed the torch to Suzanne Acton-Gervais, who made her first official outing after being announced for the job.
Taking place as always at Royal Ontario in Milton, Ont. – and under (not always) perfect, sunny skies – the waitlisted event was attended by over 150 ACTA members, partners and guests, and was supported by title sponsor Air Canada, along with major sponsors Manulife. Globus Family of Brands, Bahamas, and many others.
Featuring golf, cocktail reception and dinner, ACTA’s Marco Pozzobon noted with pride that the annual event has evolved into an ACTA “event,” not just a golf outing, and an opportunity for ACTA members to meet both old friends and make new ones.
Paradis praised the ACTA team (above) for not only putting on a great event, but being the “best and most engaged team” she’s ever worked with during her nearly 40-year tenure travel – a journey that began when she was “smitten” with travel at age 16, leading her to a career as a travel advisor and many other positions, culminating in being president of ACTA, where she “profoundly shaped” and revitalized the association and most notably led the country’s retail sector through the pandemic.
Acknowledging the support of “all of the travel agencies and travel advisors that are part of ACTA,” as well as travel suppliers and travel media, she said, “It takes a village to be successful and we really work together, and our goal is to build a better Canadian travel industry from both a travel supplier and travel agency and travel advisor perspective. And I cannot express the engagement and blood, sweat and tears of the travel agency community in supporting ACTA and supporting each other…”
And she added, with enthusiastic parting words, “It has been an absolute and incredible experience working with all of you… (And) I know you’ll be in good hands with Suzanne (Acton-Gervais).”
ACTA board chair Monica Johnstone praised Paradis as an “extremely passionate and accomplished woman (who) has led the ACTA team for over nine years (and whose) commitment to this industry has never waivered. Through her years of leadership, she has elevated the travel agency and ITA community within the industry, advocating for not only travel agency owners, but independent travel advisors as well.
“She and her team continue to work with suppliers to ensure a strong and resilient industry for years to come; she has enhanced education standards for new existing membership; and through all of it, she has (demonstrated) professional compassion.
“Her greatest achievements, however, were during those dark days of the pandemic: she advocated tirelessly with all levels of government on behalf of stakeholders. She and the ACTA team fought for every ounce of support… Please, all, raise a glass to Wendy Paradis.”
On the course
From putting contests and other activations and with sumptuous drink samples to far too many snacks, golfers had a ball on an ideal day on the links.
The colourful Barbados Stand.TOURNAMENT WINNERS
Top Mixed Teams (score of -7): Sponsored by Air Canada and Air Canada Vacations – Mason Spencer – Air New Zealand, Elisa Wong – Direct Travel, Joel Arroyo – Air New Zealand, Anthony Saba – Goway; also, Gregory Luciani – TravelOnly, Kit Neil – Tully Luxury Travel, Sonia McKeon – Uniglobe Travel, Mark Stubbert – Ensemble
Top Ladies Team (score of +6) – Sponsored by Air Canada and Air Canada Vacations
Diane Zeppieri – Auto Europe, Pat Rotz – CAA Niagara, Megan Marut – Butterfield, Mikyla Mosley – Britt & Company Travel
Top Men’s Team (score of -5) – Sponsored by Air Canada and Air Canada Vacations
Rocky Racco – TTI Travel, Michael Degrace – Air Canada, Sanjay Kopalkar – Mondee Canada, Roberto Gennaro – Redtag.ca
Most Honest Golf Team (Sponsored by Enterprise Mobility): Racquel Queensborough – Jamaica Tourist Board, Jennifer Svoboda – Freedom Holidays, Diana Shulist – Freedom Holidays, Michelle Theoret – Travel Café Experience
Ladies’ Closest to the Pin (Sponsored by the Tourist Office of Spain) – Ornelo Strefi – Continental Currency Exchange
Men’s Closest to the Pin (Sponsored by the Tourist Office of Spain) – Colin Wood – VoX
Ladies’ Longest Drive (Sponsored By Air Canada and Air Canada Vacations): Birdie Chavarria – NorthStar Travel
Men’s Longest Drive (Sponsored By Air Canada and Air Canada Vacations): Mark DiVito – OS Travel
Ladies’ Closest to the Keg (Sponsored by Visit Portugal): Sonia McKeon – Uniglobe Travel
Men’s Closest to the Keg (Sponsored by Visit Portugal): Andrew Alleyne – Barbados
Best Photo Award (Sponsored by Allianz Global Assistance): Ricardo Maharaj – Hyatt, Quinn Brown – Bahamas, Laurie Keith – Boutique Travel Services, Tracy Keith – Romantic Planet Vacations
Hole In One Competition (Sponsored by Sandals/Unique Vacations): Stephen Smith – Direct Travel
Grand prizes:
Winner: Tarik Achab Zekri, Qatar Airlines – 4-night stay at Grand Hyatt at Baha Mar in Nassau & Paradise Island for 2, airport transfers, 5-day Valet Parking at Park’N Fly, and 2 Air Canada Economy Class round trip tickets – Compliments of Bahamas, Park’N Fly and Air Canada
Winner: Raquel Queensborough, Jamaica Tourist Board – Two round-trip Air Canada Economy Class round trip tickets for North America – Compliments of Air Canada and Air Canada Vacations
Winner: Louise Gardiner, Wired for Travel, The Travel Agent Next Door – Two round-trip Air Canada Economy Class tickets for system wide travel – Compliments of Air Canada and Air Canada Vacations
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