As the countdown to the inaugural TravelPress Live! gets underway, Baxter Media is pleased to announce that Ensemble, TRAVELSAVERS Canada, Travel Leaders Network, TravelOnly, Transat Distribution Canada, Trevello and Onvigo are all taking part in the first-of-its-kind event.
Debuting this June 16 and 17th at Evergreen Brick Works, the two-day experience is billed as a curated festival of ideas and connections, bringing together travel advisors, suppliers and industry leaders for learning and collaboration through TED-style talks and immersive and interactive activations.
Integral to its foundation are the Industry Partners, an important role that offers premium recognition and networking privileges to key agency organizations. In return, these partners help curate the vision for the event and invite top buyers from their networks to participate.
“TravelPress Live! is about reimagining how our industry comes together. Moving beyond transactions to create moments that inspire ideas, relationships and long-term growth,” said Mitchell McClung, Publisher, Baxter Media. “Our Industry Partners are co-creators, helping us build a new model for connection, collaboration and leadership within the Canadian travel trade.”
Trevello views TravelPress Live! as a genuinely unifying event for the Canadian travel industry, focusing on substantive conversations, real education and building momentum. Trevello CEO Zeina Gedeon believes events like this give advisors a critical perspective on market changes and emerging opportunities, and she is committed to supporting an initiative that invests in the long-term growth of the industry through collaboration, education, and community.
“As a homegrown initiative, it deserves our full support,” Gedeon shared. “It’s not just about networking – it’s about substantive conversations, real education and building momentum for the year ahead. Being part of that environment aligns perfectly with how we want to support and elevate our advisor community.”
Meanwhile, Kristina Boyce, SVP Operations for Ensemble states that the event closely aligns with Ensemble’s priorities of helping members build stronger industry relationships and equipping them with tools, technology, and resources for greater efficiency and profitability. Her goal is for advisors to work smarter, freeing up time for selling travel and creating exceptional client experiences. She highlights the interactive, idea-sharing format and open dialogue as essential for navigating the quickly evolving travel industry, noting that strong relationships and smart use of tools and technology go hand in hand.
“We are focused on helping our members build stronger relationships across the industry while also equipping them with the tools, technology, and resources that make their businesses more efficient and more profitable,” Boyce said. “This event brings those elements together in a collaborative, forward-looking environment, which makes it a natural fit for us.”
Over at Onvigo, Shean Carmichael, Director of Operations believes that as travel and Canadians evolve, travellers are seeking experiences that move them at a “soul-level.” Onvigo will participate in TravelPress Live! because it reimagines how the industry connects and learns, providing a space to reawaken curiosity and approach their craft with renewed imagination. He stresses the critical role of Canadian advisors in navigating a world where authenticity matters, noting that when people remain at the core of what the industry does, profits naturally follow.
Industry Partner Gregory Luciani, President & CEO, TravelOnly Inc., says he is excited to be part of the innovative and forward-thinking event, believing that ideas and people shape industries and that the collective is stronger together. His goal for TravelOnly members is that agents walk away feeling energized, informed, inspired, and with a renewed sense of confidence and excitement for their careers.
“It’s forward thinking, innovative and it’s exciting to be with partners who think outside of the box,” Luciani shared. “We believe ideas and people shape industries and collectively we are stronger together. Being part of an event that brings together passionate industry leaders, agents, and partners felt like a natural fit. I’m excited to share insights, build relationships, and contribute to conversations that will shape the future of travel..”
Christine James, Vice President, Canada for Travel Leaders Network, is also enthusiastic to be able to participate in the new event. She notes that TravelPress Live!’s unique format, which is unlike a typical industry trade show, will greatly benefit their members through networking, educational and entertainment components.
“As North America’s largest travel agency network, Travel Leaders Network is thrilled to participate in this brand new event hosted by Baxter Media,” shared James. “I understand that this event will bring together our valued members and suppliers featuring a unique format that is unlike your typical industry trade show or conference.”
Due to the never-done-before format and concept behind the immersive event, James believes that their members “will benefit greatly from networking, educational and entertainment components.”
“I’m excited to witness first hand the results and onsite buzz generated during and following this event,” she added. “Congrats to Baxter for spearheading this event!”
Similarly, Karine Gagnon, General Manager, Transat Distribution Canada (TDC) emphasizes that ongoing training, like the opportunities available during the inaugural event, are key to supporting excellence across its network.
“Every day, travel advisors must navigate a constantly evolving market, travellers whose needs are rapidly changing, and transformative technology. That’s why we do everything we can to offer them relevant, accessible learning opportunities,” Gagnon said. “In fact, TDC provides a wide range of exclusive training opportunities to its network throughout the year. We also encourage our agency owners and managers, as well as our travel advisors, to take full advantage of the many training and networking events offered across the industry. For all these reasons, TDC is pleased to partner with TravelPress Live! and is very much looking forward to taking part in the event.”
Finally, Dianne Jackson, Director of Franchised and Affiliated Members, TDC, points out that networking among travel industry professionals is an invaluable driver of growth, as connecting with peers and sharing experiences sparks lasting relationships and strengthens the industry’s vitality.
As a 100 per cent Canadian travel consortia, Jackson shared that TDC is, “excited to encourage this initiative by a long-standing Canadian trade media organization.”
Registration is now open, click here.
