If its record-setting Toronto conference last week was any indication, upcoming TL Network events in Calgary (Nov. 7), and Vancouver (Nov. 9) are destined to be equally robust. Over 200 attendees (plus 48 supplier partners) turned out to the Delta by Marriott Toronto Airport for the annual Fall regional event on Oct. 26, prompting TLN VP Canada Christine James, to observe, “Everybody really wants to connect!”
James noted that the event was held in-person last fall, but this year’s attendance, which set a record for the show, has “blown it out of the water.” She says close to 100 agents had already RSVPed in the two western cities with plenty of time left to register.
Besides the lively trade show in Toronto, populated by a lengthy alphabet list of suppliers ranging from Ama Waterways, Barbados, and Bahamas, to Sunwing, Universal Orlando Resort, and WestJet, attendees had an afternoon and evening filled with presentations and panels on the latest industry and network news, sales tips, entertainment and prizes, plus dinner.
Considering the full-on nature of the conference, James noted similar and growth across the board at TLN Network this year, with 39 members joining the consortia to date (bringing total membership in Canada to about 700).
And it’s not just the number of additions, but the high quality of agencies joining, she enthused.
There have also been 14 new preferred suppliers brought on board, including the Delta KLM-Air France alliance, as well as South African Airways, Fiji, Alaska Air, Lot, Condor, China Airlines, Asiana, and others.
Similarly, sales – especially for cruising – are surging across the Network, surpassing 2019 levels to the tune of 135% in some areas. Top destinations are (no surprise!) Mexico, the Dominican Republic, and Cuba.
But exotics (including exotic cruises) are also trending, which dovetails with clients booking longer trips and in higher categories.
James acknowledges “some concern” about inflation, but says its only real impact so far has been to shorten booking windows.
Staffing remains an issue, she says – both in agencies, where some members can hardly handle the volume of business they are getting, and with suppliers, where lack of timely support has caused some agents to lose bookings. Complicated groups business, which is increasing, is also a challenge with fewer staff.
“It’s frustrating,” says James, “and there is no easy solution.”
On the positive side, James says many agents used their time during the pandemic to advantage to upgrade their skills by enrolling in TL Network specialist courses – particularly for the detail-oriented Honeymoon and Destination Weddings market, which is highly specialized. And, she laughs, to prepare for dealing with high intensity “bridezillas.”
Another “huge success story,” is the Network’s lead-generating Agent Profiler program, which James says has produced over 9,500 leads (at an average of $6,500) for members this year to date, substantially surpassing the 6,900 leads generated in 2019.
Once its western dates are complete, James says members will start looking ahead towards the annual 2023 Edge conference, to be held at the Gaylord Opryland Resort in Nashville next May. In fact, says James, some members, eager to visit the country music capital, have already booked their flights.