Western agents join Air Canada’s Circle of Excellence

Western Canada travel retailers who have reached the top level of commercial achievement with Air Canada were ushered into the carrier’s “Platinum Circle of Excellence” at a function earlier this week.

About 25 retailers from B.C., Saskatchewan and Manitoba gathered at the Fairmont Vancouver Airport Hotel to be recognized with Platinum Circle of Excellence awards by Air Canada. Out-of-town winners were transported by the airline from their home cities to YVR for the day.

The Vancouver Circle of Excellence event was the second of four that are taking place across the country. The schedule kicked off in Calgary on July 9, with six Calgary-based Platinum COE partners, plus Top of the World Travel from Yellowknife, NT. Events for Montreal and Toronto will be scheduled, with dates to be announced.

Air Canada’s Circle of Excellence is a prestigious program that recognizes and rewards top-performing travel agencies for their contributions to Air Canada’s sales and overall success. Participating agencies gain access to exclusive benefits, including priority travel services, specialized training and enhanced support by the airline. The Platinum level is the top tier of the recognition program.

“They work hard for this recognition, and they trust us with their business,” said Vincent Gauthier-Dore, managing director of Canada and USA sales for Air Canada, who was attending the Circle of Excellence events from Montreal.

In Vancouver, he was joined by Edna Ray, the Air Canada senior manager of regional sales – global sales. She noted that as many as 2/3 of those recognized by the Platinum COE designation were repeat winners. The annual Circle of Excellence program has been operating for about 20 years.