Globus' Antonella Santia, Director of Reservations & Administration, with Stéphanie Bishop, Managing Director
Globus' Patrice Geske, Manager of Marketing, with Kim Clarke, Director of Sales
Antonella Santia, Carm Orr & Patrice Geske
Kim Clarke, Stéphanie Bishop, Mark Ciarelli & Ian Young
Here’s an interesting scenario. You take a major tour operator who invites the head office honchos from key retail chains. Mix in a few tourist boards, some media and a sprinkling of airlines. Lock them into a very nice restaurant for lunch and what do you think is going to happen? A power point presentation? Distribution of USB keys full of fascinating factoids? A sermon about challenges overcome and triumphs to come?
None of the above.
That is if you were with me at the now-traditional annual luncheon courtesy of the Globus family of brands. Hosted by the always upbeat Stéphanie Bishop, the luncheon at the Il Mulino Restaurant in mid-town YTO is all about Globus (and its sister companies Cosmos, Monograms and Avalon Waterways) saying thank you. And that’s it.
“What a crowd!” was Stéphanie’s 1st remark, received with enthusiastic applause by the crowd, which included heavy hitters such as Ensemble’s Lindsay Pearlman, John O’Neill of Thomas Cook and Greg Dixon of Flight Centre. And of course Vanessa Lee, the proud godmother of the Avalon Vista, christened just last spring. Stéphanie went on to thank the retailers for their “wonderful support” and her staff, who she called “a small team but the best.” Even the company’s lawyer and bankers were in the group, not something you see at every travel industry do.
As we sampled delish veal, fish and chicken (“the best in the city”), it was great to catch up with colleagues in the industry. And if volume of noise is anything to go by, this luncheon was a great success.
“Bringing people together – even competitors – is a hallmark of our business. We are all very friendly in the Canadian travel industry – I know when I travel overseas to conferences, everyone remarks on how friendly the Canadians are, even with our competitors. That sort of fellowship makes a world of difference to us!” said Stéphanie.
No sales pitch, no hard sell. Just “thank you.” So back at you Stéphanie for a lovely outing. See you next year!
