HALIFAX — The Maritime Travel National Staff Conference set an attendance record for the group, with 459 employees and 115 supplier reps taking part in the annual event Nov. 24 – 26.

The retail chain closed down all 116 locations across Canada and brought all employees to Halifax for a weekend of personal/professional development, and celebration.

The theme of the conference was ‘Hats Off To You!’

“Maritime Travel is coming off a record year, so our conference was a chance to celebrate all our wonderful agents for such an accomplishment,” says Carol Buchanan, President of Retail, Maritime Travel.

“We fly all our agents to Halifax and treat them to a jam-packed weekend. It’s a great opportunity for agents from coast to coast to get to know each other, and to meet a large number of our suppliers,” said Buchanan, adding “of course, there is some partying involved – after all, you are in the Maritimes.”

Agents attended a large supplier trade show on Nov. 24. The next morning they took part in product training offered by some 40 different suppliers, and then enjoyed personal and professional development sessions in the afternoon. That night the agents’ years of service were celebrated at a gala awards dinner, and agents with five to 30 years of service were recognized with special honours. The next morning agents were treated to a Christmas breakfast.

Adds Buchanan: “This year we commissioned for our agents a Maritime Travel song written and performed by JUNO Award-winning singer Meaghan Smith. It captures the wonderful things they do for their clients. Everyone went home with a copy.”

Based in Halifax, Maritime Travel has been in business since 1949 and is one of Canada’s largest independent travel agency chains, with 116 locations nationwide. Maritime Travel is also a Platinum member of Canada’s Best Managed Companies, and has been awarded as one of Canada’s Best Employers for 2017. Maritime Travel recently joined the by-invitation-only Virtuoso group.