Together again during a night to remember at #AgentsChoice
Photography by Dan Galbraith with story files from Ian Stalker, Ilona Kauremszky and Bob Mowat
After two years of doing just about everything virtually, the Agents’ Choice Awards Gala returned, welcoming a sold-out crowd of top travel industry executives to celebrate the best that this country’s travel industry has to offer.
“It’s great to see you all here,” emcee Tim Law told those who gathered at Toronto’s Eglinton Grand on June 23.
Canadian Travel Press and Baxter Media’s executive editor, Bob Mowat agreed, telling the audience: “It has been three years since the last time we were able to gather together like this and celebrate the favourites of Canadian travel advisors. That’s a long time and I’m certainly glad to see that we all got through it.”
And he added: “We’re here to celebrate… to celebrate the suppliers who Canadian travel advisors have recognized for the support that they have provided to them during the global pandemic.”
Baxter Media’s executive vice-president Wendy McClung praised travel agents for the contributions they’ve made to the travel industry not just over the past two years, but over the last half-century.
McClung observed that: “People like you in this room had the drive to push through, and the passion to stick together and support each other with relentless loyalty. Your vision, hopeful in spite of the uncertainty and your relationships, strong. We are still in this together. We’re here now, on the other side of the most devastating crisis in the industry’s history, a little bruised, definitely scarred, somewhat older and for sure, humbled.”
But she added: “The one sure thing is that travel agents have always played a pivotal role and continue to be vital to the survival of this industry. The front-line sellers, the liaison between your company and their clients, the ones who helped bring stranded people home, clients or not. There are no better advocates for the professionalism of this industry. It’s been a rough couple of years for all of us. But we have come through it and today, acknowledging our achievements is more important than ever.”
Celebrating a double win. @CelebrityCA is the Favourite Medium & Small cruise line. @CelebrityCruise #AgentsChoice pic.twitter.com/wcyJF4f8HX
— Baxter Media (@CdnTravelPress) June 24, 2022
The evening had a festive atmosphere as awards were presented in 35 categories to recognize suppliers who had done the extraordinary to support travel advisors through the global pandemic.
And it also recognized innovation with the presentation of the 2022 William H. Baxter Lifetime Achievement Award to the founders of Transat – Jean-Marc Eustache, Lina DeCesare and Philippe Sureau.
That award recognizes individuals who have improved professional standards in the industry; demonstrated successful innovation and entrepreneurial initiative; and enhanced the industry’s standing with the general public.
Denise Heffron — who had a long Transat career before her current position as managing director of Uplift Canada Inc. – said in introducing the 2022 recipients of the award, that: “These very unique and special people share an incredible story and legacy.”
Philippe Sureau was on hand to accept the award for all three, pointing out that the pandemic has taken a huge toll on the travel industry, but based on his own travel industry tenure he had learned that “to each crisis there is an end.”
And Sureau noted the current lengthy lineups at passport offices demonstrate that people are eager to see the world.
“This is living proof that travel is part of our DNA,” he said.
Being together again
As for what those on hand were saying about the evening, Lindsay Pearlman, Senior Vice President-International Leisure, Travel Leaders Network, told Travel Courier that: “Tonight is about everyone getting together, being out of our home offices, dressed up and enjoying each other’s company. That’s what I think — we may have taken those events for granted in the past, but being here, it really is wonderful to be together again and to be able to celebrate.”
The @SandalsResorts team celebrates taking home the award for Favourite Hotel Brand – All-inclusive. #AgentsChoice pic.twitter.com/VsLKnrDbax
— Baxter Media (@CdnTravelPress) June 24, 2022
Chippy Jegathasen, CEO Voyzant Travel, said: “I can’t express what this evening means, because it’s been two years where we have been sitting inside. I was at the last 2019 Baxter Awards, and they put on a good show with a lot of new stuff, so I’m looking forward to tonight. It means a lot to the industry to be in person.”
And Gavin Miller Executive Vice President, Travel Edge, observed: “It’s been a long time coming! We’re so craving the human connection again, and we know all of us have gone through a tremendous amount over the last couple of years so to be able to come to celebrate our friends, our colleagues, our partners, and to be able to connect with each other again, and to be able to really look forward to the next chapter in what’s happening in the travel industry. It’s phenomenal.”
Thanks to our sponsors
Hosted by Baxter Media, the 2022 Agents’ Choice Awards Gala was presented by Air Canada, Manulife, Porter, Voyzant and WestJet.
Feature Sponsors included Transat, Sandals and United Airlines.
🌲Thanks to @Trees4Travel for carbon offsetting the #AgentsChoice Awards Gala. @VoxCanada pic.twitter.com/ACudi14e5v
— Baxter Media (@CdnTravelPress) June 24, 2022
The Cocktail Reception was sponsored by WestJet; ‘Drinks Are On Us’ were by TravelBrands; Champagne Toast by The Travel Corporation; Wine was compliments of Antigua and Barbuda; the Nova Sounds Band by the Jamaica Tourist Board; and, new this year, Trees4Travel was the sustainability sponsor.
And to find out who the favourites are in the 2022 Agents’ Choice Awards Readership Survey, click here.
