TORONTO — The Granite Travel Trade Expos held across Ontario this spring were a resounding success, andnow organizers are eagerly looking forward to more shows in the fall.
The spring events brought together more than 375 travel advisors and 28 suppliers, at four shows across Ontario, in Windsor, Kitchener-Waterloo, Oshawa-Ajax and Barrie.
This is the second year that the Granite Travel Trade Expo team has brought its winning formula to smaller cities across Canada, in a format that’s been praised for providing opportunities in smaller markets that are often underserviced.
“The feedback we’ve had this year from our suppliers and agents who attended, has been extremely positive,” said Bradley Dean, Oakville Toronto Partner, Granite Productions.
Dean added: “We knew our second year was going to be even better than the first and we’re happy we achieved that, largely due in part to the support of all our suppliers who attended. Travel agents were very appreciative of our shows, numerous inquiries and requests from agents outside the markets we were in, to please hold one in their city. It’s really been wonderful.”
The regional travel trade events are designed to connect industry suppliers and top-producing travel agents, facilitating valuable and essential in-person interactive consultations and presentations.
In each of the Ontario shows, from April 22 – 25, MC Sal Buccellato delighted attendees, while suppliers kept agents up to date with 15-minute presentations. A trade show, dinner, and prize giveaways followed.
The expos were sponsored by St. Kitts and Bahia Principe Hotels and Resorts.
Here’s a look at the supplier list for the events:
Antigua and Barbuda, Auto Europe, Bahamas Tourist Office, Blue Diamond Resorts, BlueBay Hotels, Canada Jetlines, Catalonia Hotels and Resorts, Collette, Coming2, Cuba Tourist Board, Expedia TAAP, Hilton All-Inclusive & Hilton by Playa, Jamaica Tourist Board, Majestic Resorts, Oasis Hotels and Resorts, Playa Hotels & Resorts, Princess Hotels & Resorts Jamaica, Princess Hotels and Resorts Dominican Republic, Puerto Vallarta, Sandals, Sandos Hotels & Resorts, SATA Azores Airlines, Sirenis Hotels & Resorts, Tauck, Valentin Imperial Riviera Maya, Visit Atlantic City, Visit Myrtle Beach, Visit Orlando, Viva Resorts
by Wyndham and JacTravel.
Sheryll Donovan, Northstar Travel, Kitchener, said: “I really enjoyed the smaller venue, the conversations with the suppliers were more intimate and one on one. There was less congestion at the supplier tables than in a bigger venue and the suppliers seemed less stressed – there is value in that. There were suppliers at the Granite Travel Trade Expo that I haven’t seen in some time and it was nice to reconnect with them. Building relationships with suppliers is always a win-win for everybody.”
Free parking, smaller venues and short drive times were among the positives cited by agents at the shows.
“Attending the Granite Travel Trade Expo was an enriching experience,” said Patrick Sullivan, Sullivan’s Travels/Travel Edge, Windsor. “The valuable feedback received promises to propel my business forward. Engaging with suppliers at the event underscored the significance of fostering connections in the travel industry. Overall, this event was insightful and will play a role in the growth of my business.”
The Granite Travel Trade Expos are now gearing up for the fall shows kicking off in Winnipeg on October 7. The full schedule is as follows …
- Winnipeg: Oct. 7
- Victoria: Oct. 9
- Langley: Oct. 10
- Ottawa: Nov. 4
- Richmond Hill: Nov. 5
- London: Nov. 6
- Hamilton: Nov. 7
Multi show discounts up to 20% are available to vendors wishing to participate in the Expos.
For more information and registration see www.GraniteTravelExpos.com or contact Bradley Dean at brad@graniteproductions.ca.
