Serious costumes at the 80's party Friday evening.
Mr. Simmons led his fitness gals to 1st prize in the costume contest.
(L to R)Kristina Young & Jessilyn Stevens of Uniglobe Specialty Travel visit with Valerie Fisher of Auto Europe.
Joanna Cossey of Uniglobe One Travel chats with Angela Stecca of The Walt Disney Company Canada.
Over 75 suppliers were featured in the Saturday trade show.
The UTWC Team: (L to R) Irv Wight, Amanda Cates, Hank Oostveen, Marika Ydenberg, Melanie Moore, Eva Tang, David Kwok. Absent from the photo are BeeBee Prangchan and Erin Packard.
Uniglobe Travel Western Canada (UTWC) celebrated 36 years of success with its annual Spring Conference held at the Sheraton Vancouver Airport Hotel last weekend. Themed "Come Together" to emphasize the camaraderie of the annual gathering, the event was attended by 185 franchise Owners, Managers, frontline agents and Admin staff from across Western Canada.
The weekend included guest speakers, awards dinner and educational components. The Conference kicked off Friday evening with a trip down memory lane to the 80's, when Uniglobe first opened its doors. Attendees of the opening reception were asked to dress to reflect the decade of excess, and did they ever. Leg warmers, teased hair, lace and pearls, a la Madonna, owned the night along with a few other 80's movie and music celebrities, and one over the top fitness guru. One thing for certain, Uniglobe folks are serious when it comes to audience participation.
A trade show featuring over 75 suppliers took place the following morning, which was very well attended. New agent Kristina Young of Uniglobe Specialty Tavel in Whitehorse certainly had an eye-opening experience at the trade show. With bags full of brochures and business cards, she tells me she has learned so much and was glad for the opportunity to meet so many suppliers, many of whom don't get a chance to visit Whitehorse.
I spoke with many suppliers including annual participants and first year attendees. All praised the good turnout and felt the trade show was a success. Tom Steer of Holland America, who is participating for the very first time, was glad to be the centre of attention being the only cruise line present. Further down the aisle, Carina Boukary-Mory of Visit Houston who is also a first timer at the trade show, felt the event was a good place to showcase her destination and hopes to bring a roadshow to Vancouver in the near future.
UTWC Vice President Hank Oostveen and his events team work hard every year to bring a successful Spring Conference to its franchisees with a balanced mix of work and fun. Judging by the crowd of smiling faces I saw, it was another winner.
