A little bit of sol. And a lot of soul.
Transat Distribution Canada has wrapped up a successful, spirited National Leadership Conference on the shores of the Mediterranean after a series of events and discussions aimed at helping members maximize their business potential.
The conference brought together key owners and managers of franchised and affiliated agencies of the TDC network, the managers of Transat Travel/Voyages Transat agencies, members of the TDC leadership team, as well as preferred partners at Club Med Magna Marbella, on the Spanish Costa del Sol.
Ending on a High Note
The fifth and final day of the National Leadership Conference was marked by the workshop-conference of executive coach Cloé Caron, who engaged in active discussions with advisors.
"We wanted to focus on what often happens: the gap between the incredible momentum felt at the end of a conference, inspired to put the many ideas that have been had into action, and the kind of reality shock when routine takes over again,” said TDC General Manager Karine Gagnon. “We wanted to give our agency owners and managers the tools to try to maintain this momentum over time, whether it's coming up with new ideas or implementing different ways of doing things.
"Thanks to our innovative approach this year, extended over time, our participants will have a second opportunity to discuss their action plan during a virtual session with our coach Cloé Caron at the end of May once they have been able to submit it to the reality exercise,” Gagnon said.
Dianne Jackson, Director, Franchise and Affiliate Members, said there's no doubt the knowledge members gained through the conference will help them maximize their business potential.
“I am really proud of what TDC has offered its owners and managers this week. They were able to develop action plans with nearly 30 preferred partners as part of the Partners Business Reviews, to optimize their business relationships," she said.
"They attended impactful and practical 20-minute-or-less TDC Talks on topics of daily concern, including AI for marketing efficiency, conducting impactful and meaningful one-on-one meetings, managing and reducing operational costs, and more."
"All of this enabled them to add to their TDC Playbook, their personalized bible, in which they were able to record all their thoughts. These reflections began prior to the NLC, with clearly defined business objectives.
"This whole process culminated yesterday when Cloé Caron invited them to look back on the whole week, revisit their daily reviews and prioritize the actions they wish to take, also giving them a short- or long-term timetable," Jackson said. "In short, each and every one of them leaves with something concrete, adapted to their business objectives”.
General Manager Reflects on a Week of Growth and Innovation
Before letting the participants leave for a final evening under the sunset of the Costa del Sol, Gagnon presented her review of the week.
“Innovation and business are really the words that best sum up the enriching week that is coming to an end. Innovations in the form and substance of our National Leadership Conference, but above all, concrete steps to enable you to develop even further, according to your own objectives,” she said.
Gagnon also revisited some of the highlights of the week, including the Transat evening on 26MAR at the Melia Costa del Sol.
“This revamped edition of the National Leadership Conference was very refreshing," said Doreen White, manager at Marlin Travel in Victoria, B.C. "I particularly appreciated the individual meetings with partners, which will undoubtedly be beneficial for our business. The fact that we alternated between the different sessions, including the TDC Talks, also kept us energized.”.
These meetings were just as enriching for the partners.
"The new activities, especially the Beyond the Brochure talk-show were very creative and original. But it was really the individual meetings that were by far the most beneficial," said Patrick Brousseau, National Client Manager at Manulife. "This dedicated, uninterrupted quality time to discuss action plans with agency owners will be very profitable for everyone.”
Last but not least, the latest innovation mentioned by Gagnon in connection with the conference was related to the environment.
“I am more than proud to announce that, in accordance with Transat's corporate responsibility plan and the environmental objectives of the airline industry, TDC is committed to supporting certified greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction projects covering all emissions generated by air travel related to the NLC. Thus, credits covering nearly 137,000 kgCO₂e of emissions generated by air travel for all its participants and partners have been financed by TDC, directed towards projects for climate solutions and access to sustainable aviation fuel, through Transat's Act on Your Carbon Footprint program, in partnership with CHOOOSE."
