TORONTO — Heather Craig-Peddie, who has been a sure and steady force at ACTA for more than two decades, is getting ready to step back from her post as Vice President of Advocacy and Member Relations.
Craig-Peddie has announced her retirement from ACTA, and her last day is scheduled for July 16.
ACTA President Wendy Paradis says Craig-Peddie has made a tremendous contribution to ACTA and the Canadian travel industry, passionately advocated on behalf of Canadian travel agencies and travel agents for more than 22 years.
Says Paradis: “The past 15 months have been particularly challenging for travel agencies and travel agents, and Heather has worked tirelessly with government officials on securing the highest amount of aid possible for our members and advocating for the safe reopening Canadian borders and easing of travel restrictions.”
Paradis adds that Heather is a valued team member of ACTA “and always brings a ‘we can do this’ attitude to every initiative she tackles. Although we will miss seeing her virtually every day, we wish Heather a wonderful retirement!”
Craig-Peddie is also a member of the WTAAA (World Travel Agency Alliance Association) Global Air Matters Committee, representing Canadian travel agent interests at global IATA committee meetings, in addition to her work with ACTA.
Paradis says ACTA’s aggressive advocacy efforts will continue under her leadership, supported by Manon Martel, Karen Cullen and new to the team, Avery Campbell.
Avery Campbell
The team is supported by ACTA’s government relations firm, Wellington Dupont in Ottawa.
Cullen, with 30+ years of Canadian travel industry experience including 19 years in retail travel with Thomas Cook/Marlin Travel and 12 years with Allianz Global Assistance, has been working with ACTA on various advocacy projects since 2019.
Meanwhile, newcomer Campbell has more than five years travel industry experience at Awarding Canada and McCord Travel, and was most recently the Public Affairs Manager at the Canola Council of Canada. His degrees include a BA in government and communications, a law degree specializing in international business law, and a graduate certificate in air & space law.
“Between Avery’s business experience and education background, we are confident that he will make a tremendous contribution to ACTA and the Canadian retail travel industry,” said Paradis.
