Open Jaw's Suzanne Christie, Adrienne Lem & Nina Slawek
CTC Travel's Mike Alan & Transat Discovery's Dan Prior getting creative with their bras... or someones'
Thomas Cook's Flemming Friisdahl delivers the traditional Boobtini toast
TDC's Rita Polegri showing off her own creation from Transat's Bra Project
Well the pink ladies did it again. After weeks of “feh” weather in southern Ontario, they cooked up a day of perfect sunshine and deep blue skies for WinterBoob #9.
Our gracious hosts at Hockley Valley Resort even managed to produce some snow, which for many participants was last seen in a Canadian Tire snow blower commercial sometime in October.
As is every year, it was a day of fun, networking, connecting, pedicures, bra decorating and gently competitive skiing. Great to see so many industry boldfacers, as usual! And special congrats to Christine James of Vacation.com and Christine Jeynes of CTC Travel who have never missed a WinterBoob.
It appeared that Ivanna Gabbalot was a no-show yet again - though there were rumours that she had actually locked herself into one of the couples’ massage rooms with Sven, the manly masseur from Port Perry.
Between the hilarious sports and fun indoor games there was still a serious message, which is what WinterBoob is all about: raising money to support a cure for breast cancer.
Lynda Falcone of VisitBritain told me, “I came because it’s a cause I believe in. It’s the best networking opportunity I know of – plus it’s fun!”
As Pina Malfara of CAA said, “I love it – I’m not a skier but it’s great to hang out with suppliers and support a great cause.”
Brenda Kyllo, also of CAA, told me that, “WinterBoob is always a special date on my calendar.”
Scott Barker (Big Bark Graphics), who like so many of us has had breast cancer touch his family, said, “It’s the right thing to do.”
And in an annual speech that is always funny, yet sad and thought-provoking, Dianne Jackson reminded us of her family history of way too many brushes with breast cancer – and that yes, men can suffer from breast cancer too.
Special thanks to auctioneer-par-excellence Doug Patterson, whose day job is heading up Trafalgar Tours. Doug and his TravCorp co-horts stepped up to the plate again with their sponsorships, trip donation and buying up lots of auction items.
All in, WinterBoob 2012 raised just over $40,000, bringing the tally over the years to an amazing $250,000. Pretty impressive. Pretty moving. And a pretty compelling reason for everyone who can to attend the 10th Anniversary Edition of WinterBoob in 2013!
