Transat Distribution Canada, the largest network of travel professionals that’s entirely Canadian-owned, has unveiled a “completely reconceived” National Leadership Conference.
TDC says the conference is entirely new in both content and format. That starts with the location: for the first time, instead of a traditional sun destination, the event will take place in Europe, on Spain’s Costa del Sol.
“The stunning Club Med Magna Marbella will host TDC’s franchised and affiliated agency owners and managers, the management team from Voyages Transat/Transat Travel, TDC’s leadership team, and many of its valued preferred partners for an immersive week of strategic planning,” officials said.
A Conference Redefined, in Content and Structure
"We have truly broken the mold for this latest edition of our National Leadership Conference," said Karine Gagnon, General Manager of TDC. "First, we’ve completely redesigned the format, extending beyond the in-person event from March 22 to 28. We are equipping our members ahead of time, encouraging them to reflect on their business goals in advance.
“This ensures that once in Spain, they take purposeful actions and engage with the right people. And this journey won’t stop at the end of the week—it will continue after we return to Canada, with a series of post-event follow-ups to help members apply their learnings to real-world scenarios."
To guide participants through this “transformational process,” TDC has partnered with renowned speaker, author, and executive coach Cloé Caron.
"We are thrilled to offer our agency owners and managers the opportunity to benefit from her expertise. At some point during the five-day event, each participant will have the chance to book a one-on-one session with Cloé to receive personalized advice on achieving their specific business goals," said Gagnon. This coaching support also extends to the TDC Playbook, "a practical tool developed in collaboration with Cloé Caron to help participants structure their reflections and takeaways."
Maximizing Growth Opportunities with New Meeting Formats
"We’ve designed a variety of new meeting formats throughout the event to maximize both business and personal development opportunities for our agency owners and managers," Gagnon explained. “Rather than large plenary sessions, this year’s conference introduces: Partner Business Reviews - one-on-one meetings with preferred partners to assess business relationships and explore new opportunities; exclusive one-on-one sessions – Individual meetings with TDC’s leadership team, offering direct access to leadership.
“We are also introducing a Brand-New Mobile App, which will allow participants to access their personalized agenda, schedule meetings, chat with peers, and more.”
Valued Partners at the Heart of the Event
TDC places great importance on its strong and loyal partnerships. "We are fortunate to have incredible support from Transat, who will be hosting a special Andalusian-themed evening to thank agency owners for their partnership. In addition, we will take time to express our gratitude to all our partners during the Gala of Gratitude," Gagnon said.
TDC Talks: Addressing Today’s Business Challenges
The National Leadership Conference will feature insights from 10 expert speakers, including TED-style talks—short, impactful, and highly practical sessions. "Our seven TDC Talks are designed to address the real challenges our agency owners and managers face today," said Dianne Jackson, Director of Franchised and Affiliated Members. "Our owners are incredibly busy, so we’ve made sure that these talks get straight to the point and provide concrete action steps."
Some of the workshop topics include: AI for Marketing Efficiency, Maximizing Social Media for Business Growth, Leading Effective One-on-One Meetings and How to build stronger connections and boost performance. “Cloé Caron will host a workshop on 'Influence and Persuasion', while TDC’s General Manager, Karine Gagnon, will lead a session on sales and leadership strategy,” Jackson added.
"As someone passionate about human relationships in leadership, sales has been a major focus of my career, from luxury hospitality to Transat. I’m eager to share my hands-on expertise with our members through my workshop, ‘Lead, Align, Sell: The Three Pillars of a High-Performing Agency’," said Gagnon.
A Customized Plan for Every Participant
According to Anthony Mormina, Senior Director of Sales and Operations at TDC, this year’s revamped approach ensures that every participant leaves Marbella with a personalized action plan, tailored to their agency’s needs. "The ability to exchange expertise and best practices among agency owners is one of the most valuable aspects of this event," Mormina stated.
A Comprehensive Development Journey
The TDC Playbook, combined with pre- and post-event initiatives, is what makes this year’s National Leadership Conference truly stand out, said Caron. "I was thrilled when TDC shared their approach with me. Taking the time to reflect and prepare beforehand makes the experience much more impactful for participants. Plus, I will guide daily reflection sessions in Spain, allowing attendees to process and internalize their learnings in real time."
To further support this 360-degree development approach, Caron will lead a conference and workshop titled "Staying Focused on Your Goals When Life Happens", offering practical strategies for maintaining momentum beyond the event.
"We all know how easy it is to get caught up in the whirlwind of daily life once we return home. That’s why preparation and foresight are key to overcoming obstacles. And to close the loop, I will also host a follow-up session a few weeks after the event, helping participants stay on track," Caron said.
