February 7, 2025

Adventure Destinations League

Navigating Travel Wonders

Fostering Community and Collaboration: TTAND Agents Gather at Home

Fostering Community and Collaboration: TTAND Agents Gather at Home

Last year, Travel Agent Next Door agents Julie and Sean Gillen came up with an idea to gather local fellow agents and a handful of suppliers at their home in an event that combined education with fun networking and team building. It went so well, they decided to make it an annual event and on Monday gathered a group of agents and suppliers at their home just outside of London, ON.

TTAND

Julie Gillen with HAL’s Aaron Crawford

“Hosting a travel training event in our home is not just about sharing knowledge; it’s about reinforcing our agent community, fostering collaboration, and elevating our collective expertise,” Julie tells TravelPulse Canada. “In the comfort of our own space, we create an environment where learning is personal, connections are genuine, and the passion for travel is inspiring.”

TTAND

Holland America’s Aaron Crawford speaks to agents at the TTAND gathering.

In all, six suppliers participated: Sean Russo (Virgin Voyages), Maxine Gundermann (Seaborn), Aaron Crawford (Holland America), Mitch Merucci (Royal Caribbean), Neil Dudley (AmaWaterways) and Rares Dumitru (Goway). G Adventures was unable to attend but sent agent booklets for the group.

“Julie has been a huge supporter of me personally over the years, so I am always keen to support her efforts,” says Sean Russo.

“Having a group of TTAND’s preferred and approved suppliers in one room opened up some great conversations and business plans. Each supplier complimented one another, and we hope advisors walked away with a better understanding of our each of our product lines but also understand that there is always a unique experience for all their clients’ needs based on many different factors.

I am looking forward to their next event.”

TTAND

Julie with Goway’s Rares Dumitru (Photo Credit: Camille Wilson)

Julie says the key to the event’s success is with the suppliers, who have been so supportive and what she calls “the best in the industry.”

“I am so thankful for our suppliers, without them, this wouldn’t work out as well as it does. Some are local, but many are based closer to Toronto so they made the effort and the drive for the day just to connect with everyone.  We really do have the best suppliers in the industry.”

Julie says the size of the events are growing every year, but there’s still only so much room at their home to host.  For that reason, she tries to switch up attendees so that everyone has a chance to experience it. 

“It was a thoroughly enjoyable day, spending time with some of my peers in the travel industry – fellow agents and suppliers,” agent Beverley Edgar told TravelPulse Canada. “One of the biggest benefits of networking, is reinforcing our professional connections. This not only benefits me, but most importantly, my clients. Julie and Sean opened their beautiful home for this event, allowing us to foster our relationships in a relaxed and fun atmosphere.

I am so lucky to work in the best industry and I always leave feeling motivated and inspired.”

 

 

 

 

 


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