ACTA treated Nova Scotia travel advisors to an appreciation evening at a popular downtown Halifax locale, on 08JUN, and Open Jaw’s YHZ roving correspondent joined the group. Over 70 agents along with 12 suppliers and destinations enjoyed cocktails and savoured the flavours of the east coast.
The purpose of the event was to reconnect eastern agents with industry partners and for ACTA to extend recognition for their participation. "It hasn't been since pre-covid that we've been able to gather here in Atlantic Canada" says Marco Pozzobon, ACTA Director -Marketing, Communications & Partnerships.
Pozzobon was joined by the latest member of the ACTA team and local Maritimer Steve Olmstead, Director of Advocacy and Member Relations. Olmstead addressed the role ACTA plays in advocating on agents behalf at the provincial and national levels of government. One of the topics he mentioned was the impact agencies and small businesses currently face with regard to repayment of government loans, especially since recovery from Covid has been slow in the region.
Olmstead also addressed the elephant in the room - NDC - which was on everyone’s mind. ACTA is preparing two webinars on the topic this month on the topic. The first will address the roll-out of NDC on 16JUN with Air Canada and on 28JUN with Amadeus, so stay tuned for the ACTA newsletter for links to these presentations.
An appreciation party wouldn't be complete without prizes - and boy, these sponsors did not disappoint! At the start of the night, each agent was given a supplier BINGO card to interact with each of the 12 suppliers and destinations at the event, and once their card was filled they were entered in the draws.
The lucky winners received a range of generous prizes; from Amazon gift cards and bottles of wine, to cruise holidays for two courtesy of AMA Waterways, a five-night stay in the Azores with car rental and whale watching courtesy of Tourism Portugal and, roundtrip air within North America and sun destinations, from Air Canada.
With the recent wildfires affecting thousands of people in Nova Scotia, ACTA wanted to take the opportunity to fundraise in support of the Canadian Red Cross with a 50/50 raffle which raised $600! The lucky winner was Michelle MacKenzie from CAA Travel in Halifax.
All in all, it was a great evening to support agents, reconnect with suppliers and fundraise for a great cause.
For upcoming ACTA events and summits:
ACTA Summits as reported by Open Jaw in March
