MONTREAL — Transat Distribution Canada (TDC) is counting down the days until its annual conferences, which promise to deliver plenty of ‘star power.’
The events will take place on Sept. 20 and 21 in the Greater Toronto Area, following the edition scheduled for Sept. 13 and 14 at the Saint-Hyacinthe Convention Centre.
This year’s theme, “Star Power: Lighting the Way in a Sky of Choices,” highlights the expertise and guidance travel professionals provide to their clients.
“This year, we are taking the powerful symbol of the star to new heights,” said Karine Gagnon, General Manager of TDC. “Our travel professionals embody this symbol, acting as guiding stars for their clients, helping them navigate a vast sky of choices with expertise and a touch of inspiration.”
She added, “This theme resonates deeply with us, as the star has always been part of TDC’s DNA through our affiliation with Transat. Our annual conferences are the ultimate opportunity for members of our network to access resources that help them grow both professionally and personally while strengthening their businesses in an ever-expanding sky of choices.”
NASA Engineer Farah Alibay to Take the Stage
A highlight of the conference will be a one-on-one conversation between Karine Gagnon and NASA engineer Farah Alibay, who will share her inspiring journey of achieving her dream job.
“It is a great honour for TDC to welcome such a distinguished scientist, and I can’t wait to hear her story,” said Gagnon. “Who better than a NASA engineer and space explorer to bring us closer to the stars?”
Born in Montreal to parents originally from Madagascar, Alibay grew up in a small town north of the city before studying at Cambridge University in the UK and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Boston. She joined NASA in 2014 and became widely recognized in 2022 for her pivotal role in deploying the Perseverance rover on Mars.
“It almost seems like destiny that she piloted a machine to explore the red planet – sharing its name with one of her defining qualities: perseverance,” noted Gagnon. “Nothing in her career was handed to her. As a racialized woman in a competitive field, she overcame failures and obstacles to rise through the ranks and achieve her dream of becoming an engineer at NASA. If there is one way to truly embrace your own ‘star power,’ it is by drawing inspiration from extraordinary individuals like Farah Alibay.”
Engaging Workshops and Industry Support
The conference will feature additional speakers and workshops designed to provide valuable insights and tools for TDC members. Preferred partners will also play a key role, offering network members direct access to product specialists.
“Our partners contribute in so many ways—most notably through their in-person presence, which allows our members to engage with them directly, as well as through their content contributions that support business development,” said Gagnon. “Hosting an event of this scale without the support of Transat – by far our most important business partner – would be unthinkable. The bond we share is essential.”
