Rising Star, Suppliers Rewarded At Nexion Event
Nexion Travel Group-Canada named its 2022 Rising Star at its annual conference CoNexion, held at Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, CA. This year’s winner is Anita Gray, owner of Bliss Travels.
Awarded annually, the Rising Star award is presented to a Nexion Travel Group-Canada member who is new to the industry. The award recognizes fresh talent who have the potential to be among the very best travel advisors at Nexion Travel Group-Canada.
Gray was chosen by Nexion Travel Group-Canada leadership based on her sales with preferred supplier partners, her enthusiastic adoption of the host agency’s tools and technologies, participation in educational and professional development activities, and her willingness to learn how to continuously improve as a travel advisor.
Gray joined Nexion Travel Group-Canada in February 2021. Her agency, Bliss Travels, specializes European destinations, beach vacations and sports travel. During her time with Nexion, Gray set out and achieved her goals for success and regularly attends local Nexion events in Canada. As a newer travel advisor, Gray also serves as an ambassador for potential Nexion members, sharing her story and experience.
The group also announced its Preferred Partner Award Winners. The top award, Best Overall Supplier, was given to AmaWaterways. As a top partner of Nexion, AmaWaterways has supported Nexion members, offering superior service, education and commissions.
“AmaWaterways has long been a champion of travel advisors,” said Jackie Friedman, CTC, CTIE, President of Nexion Travel Group. “Our members know that, and have chosen to recognize their support with the Best Overall Supplier Award. AmaWaterways is a shining light for our advisors!”
Other Preferred Partner Awards were given in the following categories:
- Best Package Tour Operator: Delta Vacations
- Best Escorted/FIT Operator: Globus family of brands
- Best Luxury Tour Operator: Tauck
- Best Canadian Land Operator: Air Canada Vacations
- Best Resort Partner: Sandals & Beaches Resorts
- Best Ground Transportation: Enterprise Holdings
- Best Travel Insurance Providers: AIG Travel and Allianz Partners
- Best Hotel Company: Marriott International
- Best Specialty Supplier: Project Expedition
- Best Rail Supplier: Rocky Mountaineer
- Best Domestic U.S. Airline: Delta Air Lines
- Best Domestic Canada Airline: Air Canada
- Best International Airline: United Airlines
- Best Contemporary Cruise Line: Royal Caribbean International
- Best Premium/Upper Premium Cruise Line: Celebrity Cruises
- Best Luxury Cruise Line: Regent Seven Seas Cruises
- Best River Cruise Line: AmaWaterways
- Best Advisor Booking Tool: VAX Vacation Access
- Best Advisor Support: AgentMate
- Best Supplier Travel Agent Education Program: Royal Caribbean University
- Best Supplier Customer Service (Call Center): Princess Cruises
- Best Supplier Sales Representative/BDM, U.S.: Mitch Platt, Strategic Business Development Manager, Azamara
- Best Supplier Sales Representative/BDM, Canada: Sandra Pennington, Field Sales Manager, Celebrity Cruises
Said Friedman: “A big congratulations goes to all our Preferred Partner Award winners. I think it says a lot that our members were really the ones giving these awards and recognizing the very best in products, service, support and more. In today’s climate, it is challenging to be a travel advisor, and they depend on suppliers to be strong partners. The Preferred Partner Awards are really our advisors saying thank you to these suppliers for being true partners in success.”
