CALGARY – WestJet’s Travel Agent Advisory Board (TAAB) recently convened in Toronto for two days of planning, discussion and a bit of baseball.
The two-day conference, which took place on June 5 and 6, was attended by 40 TAAB members representing 35 travel agencies across Canada. Both corporate and leisure agents were invited to share their feedback at brainstorming sessions and workshops, and also attended presentations by Jane Clementino, Director of Agency Sales at WestJet, and representatives from WestJet Groups, GDS Operations, Corporate Sales, WestJet Vacations Product and WestJet Vacations Experience Delivery.
In addition to the sessions, WestJet, in partnership with AMResorts, treated TAAB members to a baseball game between the Toronto Blue Jays and the New York Yankees.
On the value TAAB brings to the airline, Clementino said: “The TAAB offers valuable insight into the kinds of products and services our travel agent partners are looking for. In our in-depth workshops, we talk about our members’ feedback and ideas, but also share how we’re working to be easier to do business with. Our goal is to give them the tools and knowledge to help sell WestJet and WestJet Vacations, which they can share with their colleagues.”
TAAB members serve a two-year term; for 15 of the participating members, this was their final meeting.
“We would like to thank all of our second-year TAAB members for being so engaged and dedicated throughout their term,” added Clementino. “Their feedback has helped us deliver an even better experience for our mutual clients.”
The 2017-2018 WestJet TAAB members are:
- Adam Bath, Corporate Traveller
- Alfiero (Al) Cavallo, Verona Travel – TravelSavers
- Ally Guidi, Transat Travel
- Ami Hisanaga, Centre Holidays – TravelLeaders
- Anita Daya, Travel Edge
- Carolyn O’Reilly, Travel Professionals International
- Cayla Joudrey, HRG North America
- Chris Shoemaker, Northstar Travel – Ensemble
- Claudette Primeau, Robert Q Travel – TravelLeaders
- David Burton, Corporate Traveller
- Elke Hinson, Merit Travel
- Gaetano Brunetti, BCD Travel
- Gina Marcone, TDC
- Jackie Grondin, HRG North America
- Hector Nerio, American Express Travel
- Ingrid Bailey, Merit Travel
- Karla Hatfield, Maritime Travel
- Kenneth Stewart, Crowfoot Travel Solutions – TravelSavers
- Kim Johnson, SellOffVacations
- Kirrily Miller, Charleswood Travel – Ensemble
- Krista Shaver, Tripcentral.ca
- Kristi Larway, Carlson Wagonlit Port Credit Travel
- Lamya Bellili, SellOffVacations
- Laura Hopkins, Flight Centre Adventure Annex
- Laureen Aliberti, AMA Travel Kingsway
- Lori McQueen, Kemp Travel – Uniglobe
- Marybeth Wood, Uniglobe – Premiere Travel
- Monte Elniski, Travel by Design – Ensemble
- Myriam Hebert, Voyages Aquaterra – Voyages EnDirect
- Neena Kapoor, Flight Centre Maple Ridge
- Richard Dymond, Vision Travel Solutions
- Sarah McKimmie, Carlson Wagonlit Travel
- Sarah Remenda, Expedia CruiseShipCenters
- Sarah Simpson, Carlson Wagonlit Travel
- Shelley Toomer, Uniglobe One Travel
- Susan Doherty, Maritime Travel
- Tabatha Bennett, Flight Centre
- Terry Gee, Uniglobe One Travel
- Terry Lowe, Red Tag Vacations
- Travis Stewart, The Travel Agent Next Door
- Vikas Malhotra, ITRAVEL2000
