Transat Distribution Canada (TDC) is hosting its national leadership conference at Club Med Marbella on Spain’s Costa del Sol this week, with the key theme of personalized development. On hand are owners and managers of franchised and affiliated agencies of the TDC network, regional managers of Transat/Travel agencies, members of the TDC management team, as well as a host of preferred partners.
“It’s always exciting to feel the energy of everyone together, and this year, with this revamped version, it’s particularly exhilarating,” said TDC General Manager Karine Gagnon. “We focused on three main elements to maximize the experience of each participant: individual reflection on business objectives, a longer conference to better structure their reflection, and the ongoing support and advice of our executive coach Cloé Caron.”
Gagnon reiterated the fundamental importance of personal and professional development at TDC. “Each of our members is different, none has the same profile or the same business needs. So, we had to refine our approach even further to equip them so that they could specifically get what they needed from this event. We, therefore, offered them a virtual reflection session, combined with a Playbook, a follow-up document allowing participants to collect their thoughts via a structured approach…”
A la carte meetings
The first day of activities was largely devoted to Partners Business Reviews, individual meetings between owners and managers and preferred partners.
“Allowing these players to meet, to take stock together of the state of their business relationship, and above all, how they can improve it to achieve their mutual objectives, is high on our agenda this year. The reason is simple: selling travel products is the basis of what we do,” explained Gagnon.
In order to maximize participants’ time, business partner reviews are presented alternately with TDC Talks, short presentations in the style of TED Talks, as well as individual meetings with members of the TDC leadership team.
“Our TDC Talks cover seven topics that affect the daily lives of our members, whether it’s marketing and artificial intelligence, cost management, or social media,” explained Dianne Jackson, Director of Franchise and Affiliate Members.
Transat
Transat’s chief sales and marketing officer, Joseph Adamo placed particular emphasis on the evolution of Air Transat’s fleet and airline network, the scope of the Transat brand in the market, and the impact this brand has on the travel agency network, not to mention the importance of customer loyalty in today’s competitive environment.
Coaching
Jackson noted, “This year, we’ve included time for reflection in the schedule coached by Cloé Caron at the end of each day… during which members shared their thoughts with the whole group, and above all, they were able to note in their TDC Playbook what they learned during the day that will help them achieve the goals they set for themselves before the event.”
She also emphasized the vital importance of networking and the exchange of best practices for members.
TDC
Transat Distribution Canada (TDC) counts some 325 locations across Canada, comprising brick-and-mortar travel agencies, websites, a call centre, and independent contractors representing members of the agent@home program. The network includes the Transat Travel, Marlin Travel, Club Voyages, TravelPlus, LuxeXperts and Voyages en Liberté brands, as well as affiliate members.
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