TPI's V.P. Tim Mogan & Steve Ruddy, COO & S.V.P. - Fnance
Some of the suppliers and agents at the Vancouver event
TPI members Carol MacKay, Linda May-Dinsmore & Rob Houston
Agents at TPI's recent annual Summit Meeting in Vancouver came out of the event armed and ready to ramp up their sales profits.
Held at the Four Points by Sheraton Vancouver Airport hotel, this was the mid-point stop for Travel Professionals International's cross-country road show. It was also the opportunity for TPI's Steve Ruddy, COO & S.V.P. – Finance to introduce himself to the membership. Ruddy has been in this position since February 2015.
TPI's Vice President Tim Morgan offered a healthy year-to-date outlook announcing a 10% growth in sales. Said Morgan, “Things are on the upswing – sales are improving and so are commission margins." Agents were advised to sell higher commission products e.g. river cruising and more FIT trips. “We should work smarter, not necessarily harder, to increase sales," said Morgan.
To encourage agents to engage more with customers, TPI will be holding over 40 receptions throughout the country. The best part about this is that if agents aren't able to make it in person, they can participate virtually. This is a great plus since most advisors live outside large urban areas where the receptions will be held.
The conference also saw preferred suppliers giving presentations to update products and services and ended with a trade show segment.
In the midst of it, Transat's Confetti award for May was presented to conference attendee Deanne Ting from Kendee Travel in Richmond. Ting generated the biggest sales volume in the country. She won 2 round-trip Air Transat flight tickets to Europe and a $1,000 pre-paid Visa card.
“It was great to meet and get valuable face time with our new COO who is doing exciting things with TPI and taking the organization to new heights," said Rob Houston, a cruise, groups & festivals specialist. “I felt our suppliers all did a good job of laying out the most important updates. We had a spectacular training session with TIC insurance. And, it's safe to say that it was the single best training session I've attended in my entire history as a Travel Professional/Advisor," he added. During the cocktail reception, agents gamely sang a rousing “Happy Birthday" to Houston.
Other TPI management staff in attendance were Christine Winchester, Director of Sales – Western Canada; Trudy McMillan, Regional Sales Manager – Western Canada and Carol MacKay, advisory board member.
TPI's Summit Meeting series will stop in 9 cities in 11 days covering Winnipeg, Edmonton, Regina, Calgary, Vancouver, Toronto, Ottawa, Halifax and St. John's.
