Stir The Skies

chia-sadler-tpi

Travel Professionals International (TPI) celebrated its 20th anniversary with close to 400 of its travel advisors, their guests, preferred partners, and TPI Head Office staff at its annual conference at the Platinum Yucatan Princess and Grand Riviera Princess All-Suites Resorts and Spas, Riviera Maya, Mexico recently.

“It is hard to believe that it was two decades ago, in 1994, that our concept and vision for this company came to fruition and TPI was founded,” observed TPI president and CEO, Morris Chia, adding: “I am thankful every moment for what we have accomplished together as a team at TPI.”

“Stir the Skies” was the theme of the annual event and it invited members to dream big personally and professionally and to hold steadfastly to those dreams even in the face of adversity.

In his opening address, Chia revisited the company’s humble beginnings in 1994 in Winnipeg, when his financial advisor told him that: “[He] would be better off to work at a regular 9 to 5,” but Chia said, “I had a dream.”

It took Chia and his small initial team of staff and travel advisors many years to gain industry acceptance and to become what is today the country’s largest and leading network of independent travel advisors.

In looking forward, Chia outlined the company’s top 3 priorities for the next 20 months – consumer and advisor engagement, technology development, and taking advantage of industry trends in exclusivity.

TPI vice-president, Tim Morgan, along with TPI’s director of technology, Mark Luimes and Joelle Goldman, Virtuoso North Central regional director of global member partnerships, expanded on TPI’s priorities.

Together, they outlined a calendar for 2015 which includes over 160 in-person advisor or consumer events focused on increasing advisors’ travel sales, technology enhancements and solutions to maximize advisor efficiency and to take advantage of web-based sales channels, and continuing to utilize value-added amenities exclusive to Virtuoso members to drive consumer retention and referrals.

The TPI 20th anniversary annual conference was made possible by the support of its presenting partners, WestJet and WestJet Vacations, and its platinum partners, TIC Insurance and Transat Holidays/Nolitours, among others.

And Chia summed up: “Here’s to 20 more years and beyond of living our passion and sharing the many wonders of the world with those around us.” exclaimed Chia.

Seen in the photo, from l to r, are TPI’s Morris Chia and Sandals senior vice-president of sales, Gary Sadler.

Go to http://www.tpi.ca for more.