Hank
Oostveen, V.P.
- Supplier & Agency Relations & Irv Wight, President, Uniglobe Travel Western
Canada
Julie Connaghan, Uniglobe Sunburst Travel; Mavis Lau, MSC Cruises;
Diana Di Leta, Uniglobe
Sunburst Travel; Suzanne Whyte & Eileen Henderson, Uniglobe Alliance Travel; Tina
Perison, Uniglobe Sunburst Travel &
Christina Peterson, Uniglobe Alliance Travel
The
Mexico Tourism Board's Rodrigo Acosta Gomez & Rodrigo Esponda flank
Elizabeth Obodzinski & Marlene McGinnis, Uniglobe
One Travel, Calgary
Delegates
took the opportunity to sample the wine offerings from Signorello Estate
Walking
into the 2015 Uniglobe Travel (Western Canada) Spring Conference, it was
apparent that everyone was in jolly spirits. Perhaps it was due to the
beautiful sunny weather. But I reckon that it was possibly Irv Wight,
President, Uniglobe Travel (Western Canada)'s keynote address that resulted in
the positive atmosphere.
During
his breakfast speech, Wight, encouraged delegates to reach for the top (which
is the theme of this year's conference), telling them that they can do anything
as long as they motivate themselves, continue to provide the human experience
and pay attention to details. “Reaching for the top is the name of the game,"
he said.
Held
at the River Rock Casino Resort in Richmond, this year's edition saw 210
members in attendance. At the over-subscribed trade show segment, delegates got
up to speed on supplier news. A new exhibitor this year was Signorello Estate from Napa Valley, making it
the first time a winery has participated here. And of course, they brought
along their wines which delegates were only too happy to test.
The
conference is also the time of the year to fete top Uniglobe performers. Among
them, Linda Duffy-Cook, Uniglobe One Travel (Calgary) who was named “Agent of
the Year." The “Franchise Owner of the Year" award went to Doug &
Diane Revell from Uniglobe Specialty in Vancouver.
For
something different this year, organizers created the “Passport Challenge",
their own version of the popular reality show, “The Amazing Race". On a warm
Saturday afternoon, about 180 participants in teams of 7 or 8, set out to solve
challenges and answer participating supplier-based questions. Travelling via
the Canada Line train, the clues led to various sites in Vancouver and
Richmond. Besides having fun, it's a good opportunity to educate participants
on supplier content, explained Uniglobe's Hank
Oostveen, V.P. -Supplier & Agency Relations. Plus, it allowed
members to learn about and see the new developments at YVR such as the new
concourses and even check out the Plaza Premium Lounge. This app-based
challenge was managed by Canadian Outback Adventures who also were behind the
previous evening's game and learning experience on Mexico.
Amid
the festivities, members shopped the Silent Auction raising donations to the
Laurie Radloff Foundation in support of projects with Plan Canada.
