Open Jaw :: On The Town ::

With Nathalie De Grandmont
13JUN08

Jean Collette hosted his last function as Chair of ACTA.

Incoming ACTA Chairman Jacqueline Jamieson

2008 ACTA Atlas winners (l-r): Bruce Poon Tip, G.A.P. Adventures; Vision 2000 and Canada One Vacations, Glenda Hunter, CAA and Normand Fortier, College April-Fortier

ACTA Atlas Awards Gala 2008: A Great Success !

It was a very warm and sunny afternoon in Montréal Thursday; just perfect to enjoy a drink or two, in good company, in the gardens of the Ritz… Many travel professional took the opportunity to step away from their busy offices and into the sunshine… This was not just any cocktail but ACTA’s annual general meeting and Atlas Awards Gala, which honours the industry’s “crème de la crème”, from the best travel professional and agency to the industry’s personality of the year. This year’s event took place in the historic and prestigious Salon Ovale of the Ritz Carlton Hotel. And according to Jean Colette, hosting the final function of his two-year mandate as chair of ACTA, the 2008 gala was a great success, gathering a surprising number – more than 150 - travel professionals from all over Canada.

At the AGM, President & CEO Christiane Théberge summed up the previous year as, “...a very good one... for outbound travelling, we beat 3 records: for the number of nights, the travel expenditures and the numbers of Canadians who travelled abroad.” Christiane Théberge also acknowledged the fact that 219 new members have joined the association,”a very good sign that the industry is healthy overall”.

Indeed, a relaxed and happy crowd of travel pro’s enjoyed themselves; tour operators and travel agents drinking and mingling together, in the beautiful inner courtyard of the hotel.

Jean Collette introduced new chair, Jacqueline Jamieson, from BC, who has already served as vice-chair on the Board of Directors.
This year, 5 Atlas statuettes were awarded. The team awards went to Vision 2000, voted the best travel agency of the year, and to Canada One vacations, who won the Allied member award. But the gala also honoured the astounding work of three travel professionals, whose list of credentials seems just as long as that of the countries they have visited. After spending six months alongside the Canadian troops in Afghanistan, Glenda Hunter, from CAA Travel in the Maritimes, was granted the travel professional award. The founder and director of the April-Fortier College in Montréal, Normand Fortier, received the Ches Chard Award. And last but not least, Bruce Poon Tip, founder of the very successful G.A.P. Adventures, was voted Travel Personality Of The Year.
The accomplishments of this year’s winners and the overall energy in the room confirmed that passion continues to “fuel” this industry.