ACTA Board Holds Strategic Planning Session in Montreal

The Association of Canadian Travel Agencies and Travel Advisors (ACTA) Board of Directors and President gathered in Montreal last week for a strategic planning session focused on shaping the Association's future direction for 2027–2029 and advancing ACTA's leadership on behalf of Canada's travel agencies and travel advisors. The meeting was hosted at Transat headquarters. 

(Pictured from left to right: Lyne Côté, Michael Johnson, Monica Johnstone CTC, Julie Sareault and Renée Boisvert from Transat, Suzanne Acton-Gervais, Marco Pozzobon, Melanie Carter, Kamal Dames, Gary Gaudry, Mark Greenwood, Peter Keyter. Not pictured: Brian Robertson, Rocky Racco, Zeina Gedeon, Heather Calvert & Serge Malaison)

Guided by ACTA's four pillars—Advocate, Educate, Promote and Connect—Board members engaged in thoughtful discussions on the evolving needs of travel agencies and travel advisors, opportunities within the travel industry, and ACTA's ongoing role as the national voice of the travel advisor community. 

Over the course of the discussions, Board members reflected on ACTA's accomplishments, assessed emerging priorities, and explored ways to enhance the value delivered to members across Canada.  

“ACTA extends its sincere appreciation to the Transat team for their exceptional hospitality,” said Suzanne Acton-Gervais, ACTA president. “Hosting the Board at its headquarters offered far more than a meeting venue—it provided an opportunity to experience the organization firsthand and gain a deeper understanding of its culture, operations, and commitment to excellence. Board members were impressed by the engagement, professionalism, and pride evident throughout the company”.  

A highlight of the visit was an executive presentation led by Renée Boisvert, Vice President, Product and Tour Operator Sales and President of Transat Distribution Canada (TDC), and Julie Sareault, Commercial Director. Their openness in sharing Transat's vision, business developments, and evolving product offerings provided valuable insights and enriched the Board's discussions. The Transat presentation was informative, engaging, and exceptionally well received. Given the strong interest it generated, ACTA looks forward to exploring future opportunities to share these updates with travel agencies and travel advisors across Canada. 

The success of the planning session was made possible by the dedication and active participation of ACTA's Board of Directors. Board members committed several days, including travel time, to engage in discussions focused on the future of the Association and the members it serves. Their diverse perspectives, industry expertise, and shared commitment to ACTA's mission contributed to meaningful dialogue and valuable outcomes. 

"I would like to extend my sincere thanks to our Board members for their commitment, engagement, and leadership throughout this process," said ACTA President Suzanne Acton-Gervais. "I recognize the significant professional and personal demands on their time, and I am deeply grateful for the dedication they bring to ACTA and the travel agencies and travel advisors we represent. The quality of the discussions, the diversity of perspectives, and the willingness to engage in thoughtful and constructive dialogue were evident throughout our time together. This session reinforced how fortunate ACTA is to have such a dedicated, experienced, and engaged Board. Their collective expertise, integrity, and shared commitment to our members give me great confidence in the future of our Association and the industry we support." 

As ACTA continues its planning process, the Association remains committed to advancing the interests of Canada's travel agencies and travel advisors through advocacy, education, promotion and connection—ensuring a strong and vibrant future for the travel industry.