Rendez-vous 2025: TDC’s Gagnon & Pelletier urge advisors to harness “star power” in a world of endless choice

The sky is filled with stars, and if each one represented a unique travel experience – or a travel professional – the possibilities would be limitless.

So, how do you become that star that shines brighter than all the rest?

That’s one question Transat Distribution Canada (TDC) will tackle this weekend at its annual fall conference in Mississauga, ON. 

Under the theme “Star Power – lighting the way in a sky of choices,” the event at the Hilton Mississauga/Meadowvale hotel on Sept. 20 and 21 is set to welcome around 200 travel advisors and nearly 55 preferred partners for two days of learning, networking and inspiration. 

TDC’s network includes Marlin Travel, TravelPlus, Affiliates, Transat Travel and agent@home in English Canada, and this year’s conference promises to showcase the latest tools that enhance the customer experience – while making the lives of travel advisors easier.

Time to Rendez-vous

First and foremost, this year’s TDC conference will debut an official name: “Rendez-vous.”

“We never really had a name for our conference. It was always generic,” said Karine Gagnon, general manager of TDC, speaking to PAX via video link Wednesday morning (Sept. 17). “For years, we've had this ‘Rendez-vous’ where it's the same group and same incredible energy… Training and professional development are key pillars at TDC, and ‘Rendez-vous’ is a great example of that.”

“Star Power – lighting the way in a sky of choices,” meanwhile, is all about recognizing travel professionals as guiding lights for their clients.

“It’s about celebrating travel professionals and their ‘star power’ in the way they influence travellers. Their expertise and passion can illuminate their clients’ choices in a world where there's so much to choose from,” Gagnon explained.

Shining brightly in a world of endless choice is about embracing individuality and specialization, Gagnon said.

“In the way Explorers were guided by stars, customers, today, are being guided by travel professionals,” she said. “Many travel professionals have a general knowledge about different types of experiences, but they have to tap into their passions and identify opportunities that help differentiate themselves.”

“We all sell travel products, but it's also about what the travel professional can bring forward.”

Learning, tools and inspiration

TDC’s conference will lean into these topics with an exciting lineup of sessions and speakers.

Farah Alibay, a renowned aerospace engineer who contributed to NASA’s Mars missions, will sit down with Gagnon for an intimate conversation about how to navigate challenges, successfully.

Steve Waterhouse, known as a “cyber soldier,” will dive into IT threats affecting the travel sector and share strategies for keeping operations safe.

Sara Gilbert will lead an fascinating workshop on “mastering words,” helping advisors use language to forge deeper, authentic connections with customers.

Other sessions will cover supplier updates, social media trends, wellness travel, the latest in river and ocean cruises, and more. TDC's executive team will also speak. 

The value advisors bring

Asked about value creation, Gagnon emphasized the need for human touch in an AI-driven world that, more and more, prioritized automation.

“Advisors can use technology for efficiency and time-saving so they can focus on nurturing and developing their relationships with customers,” she said.

The world is “continuously evolving” at a fast pace, she said, and TDC’s role is to continue to accompany travel agencies through this evolution.

One theme TDC will emphasize at Rendes-vouz is the concept of wellness, which Gagnon considers a “major trend” in travel today.  

Much like a wellness-focused trip, travel advisors can serve as partners in well-being—saving clients time, reducing stress, and handling the logistics.

This allows clients to focus on what truly matters to them, enjoying peace of mind.

It’s just one aspect of the value advisors bring to the trip-planning process.

Solid fall/winter sales 

TDC’s conference also comes as fall and winter sales produce solid numbers. 

While a lot is yet to come, September 2025 is already outpacing last year by 25 per cent, Gagnon said.  

And agencies are feeling good. Recently, TDC surveyed its owners to see how they feel and ask what their confidence level is for 2026.

“Overall, more than 80 per cent of them reported being satisfied with the performance of the sales,” Gagnon said.

She noted that higher dollar sales, premium travel, and immersive experiences are shaping the demand.

“Dollar sales are trending higher than passengers,” she said. “Which is not a bad place to be in if you’re managing thousands of files that are more lucrative – especially in a context where some are still struggling with hiring.”

A little more than half of TDC’s owners – roughly 60 per cent – also say they're ahead for next year, or at the very least, running steady with 2025.  

Japan and Portugal were very popular this year, Gagnon went on to say, and go-to destinations in Mexico, like Cancun, and the Caribbean continue to perform well.

But destinations that offer a more immersive experience are emerging.

For example: Transat launching Marrakesh, Morocco (which is performing “super well”), Brazil and Medellin, Colombia, reflect the high-demand (and potential) for culturally-rich destinations, Gagnon said.

Getting out of comfort zones  

Marketing and social media will also be a big focus at Rendez-vous.

“About a year ago, we pivoted to creating our own content for our members,” explained Marc Pelletier, TDC’s senior director of marketing, who also joined Wednesday’s call.

TDC has a pipeline of content that's connected to its members’ Facebook and Instagram pages. This also feeds email campaigns, blogs and websites.

“It’s original content for TDC members, which we’re really proud of,” Pelletier said.

At this weekend’s conference, TDC will be announcing new tools that help agents and agencies produce even more personalized marketing content for social media.

One workshop, led by Pelletier, will encourage advisors to put themselves into their online storytelling.

“Advisors need to be part of the product,” he said. “Across the board – not just at TDC – I see too much content around destinations and products. There's no perceived value-add for the customer. It's the same across the board.”

He said more travel advisors need to add their “personal touch.”

“It’s something we can't do for them. They have to be part of the equation,” he said.

Pelletier recognized that not all advisors are comfortable with putting themselves front and centre on their social media pages.

“We're trying to get them out of their comfort zone and to not wait for that perfect message, with the perfect lighting and picture,” he said. “We’re beyond that now.”

Pelletier said Facebook and Instagram remain TDC’s most effective channels, even as TikTok grows, and noted TDC’s ongoing “Marketing Masterclasses” to train advisors on digital marketing and AI.

As agencies and agents gear up for TDC’s Rendez-vous – and a busy winter season – Gagnon shared her advice for navigating a world (or sky) full of choices.  

“Tap into what speaks to you as a travel professional – individually,” she said. “You can't be everything to everyone, so find what triggers your passion and what you want to specialize in. Bring that altogether so you can stand out and shine.”

For more on TDC’s Rendes-vouz conference, click here.

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