ACTA Student Conference - Enhancing Industry Education and Professionalism

We are very proud of our relationship with the colleges and students enrolled in Travel & Tourism programs throughout our country. These relationships have remained very important since ACTA's aquisition of CITC in 2013.

 

On Tuesday November 10, the second annual ACTA Student Conference took place at the Woodbine Conference Centre in Toronto. The conference, aimed at Travel and Tourism Students, was attended by students and educators representing ten education institutions throughout Ontario.  Agenda items included:  Working in a Corporate Travel Environment, opportunities working for a Tour Operator and a session on travel insurance presented by Manulife and one on "Choosing your Sandbox – where you fit into the travel and tourism industry".

 

The afternoon delivered a travel industry panel who shared their career highlights and spoke about their current positions and opportunities for careers in their fields. Panelists included Matt Djorsev from WestJet, Jennifer Matthews from Travel Brands, Gabrielle Chin from itravel2000 and Lauren Harris from ACTA.  Twenty one suppliers gave the students the opportunity to attend their first travel industry trade show and speak one on one with professionals within our industry.  This year the trade show introduced prospective employees to industry employers such as Carlson Wagonlit Travel, The Travel Agent Next Door, Merit Travel, itravel2000, Transat Distribution and CAA SCO. 

 

“The focus for the conference is to enhance industry education and professionalism by educating the future of our industry on the many opportunities within the different sectors of the industry”  said Christine Chilton CTM, Director of Education at ACTA and the conference organizer.  “For most of the students this conference is their first exposure to a professional conference as well as a trade show so the networking opportunity and content is extremely valuable”

 
ABOVE: Students participating in their first ever travel trade show

BELOW: Students enjoying the conference