ACTA Announces 2015 ACTA/Air Canada Awards nomination - Deadline Extended to May 22!

The Association of Canadian Travel Agencies (ACTA) recognize their members as being some of the best in the Canadian retail travel industry. For this reason, ACTA in partnership with Air Canada is introducing several new Awards to recognize the accomplishments and dedication of our members and the professional excellence they offer across a broad range of categories. The winners of the ACTA/ Air Canada Awards will be selected by a panel of jurors appointed by ACTA. The ACTA /Air Canada Awards will be given out to the winners during an Awards ceremony which will be held at the Travel Market Place trade conference, in Toronto, on June 16 and 17, 2015.

The six ACTA/Air Canada Awards illustrate the successes of ACTA member agencies and the passionate Travel Agents who assist in the creation of those successes. The six categories are described as:

  • Leisure Travel Agent - Recognizes a Travel Agent who shows versatility and has extensive knowledge of many travel options available to their clients. This individual has the ability to keep the client excited about planning their dream holiday and always delivers.
  • Corporate Travel Agent - Recognizes a Travel Agent who delivers excellent service to clients, living up to expectations and demands in a timely and efficient manner. This individual must have a good understanding of client's needs from a global perspective including, destination knowledge, policies, visas, and many other travel requirements.
  • Tomorrow's Leader - Recognizes a young potential leader who has shown divested interest in issues that influence the future of travel and who is a role model for other young professionals
  • Maguire-Wamsley Award - Recognizes the individual who achieves the highest mark on the ACTA Certified Travel Manager (CTM) case studies who also works in an ACTA member agency.
  • Ches Chard Award - This Award was established in memory of Ches Chard. Ches played a key role in developing numerous educational programs within the industry and was instrumental in establishing the first travel school in the Atlantic Provinces. The Award will be awarded to an individual, a travel agency or a group of travel agencies that have demonstrated a significant commitment to professionalism, education and training and excellence in human resources management.
  • Gerald Heifetz Trailblazer Award – This Award was established in memory of Gerald Heifetz. Gerald helped travel agents, business people and countless struggling immigrants through his law practice. He was instrumental in the foundation of ACTA and CITC. Along the way he established many of the laws that today, govern the Canadian travel and airline industry. The Award will be awarded to the ACTA member, members or organization in Canada who in the most recent year has had the greatest positive impact on the role, status and condition of the Canadian Travel Industry.

Criteria for each of the categories can be downloaded here.

Businesses or individuals are encouraged to nominate themselves or others for consideration by completing the Nomination Form and submitting it to actaawards@acta.ca by the extended deadline of May 22, 2015. All nominations require a 250-word piece demonstrating how the nominee meets the criteria for the award. A judging panel (appointed by ACTA), will select one ACTA/Air Canada award-winner for each category. The winners will be invited to participate in the awards ceremony taking place during the Travel MarketPlace conference in June.

Don’t be shy! Get involved and participate in this event that distinguishes you as a dedicated travel professional. Nominations are still open! Please contact is if you have any questions. We look forward to receiving your nomination!

Sincerely,
ACTA awards committee
actaawards@acta.ca