Heather Craig-Peddie retires from ACTA; Avery Campbell joins advocacy team

Heather Craig-Peddie, ACTA’s vice-president of advocacy and member relations, will be retiring on July 16, 2021, the association announced on Thursday (June 17). 

Craig-Peddie has passionately advocated on behalf of Canadian travel agencies and travel agents over 22 years and has made a tremendous contribution to ACTA and the Canadian travel industry, ACTA said in a release. 

“The past 15 months have been particularly challenging for travel agencies and travel agents, and Heather has worked tirelessly with government officials on securing the highest amount of aid possible for our members and advocating for the safe reopening Canadian borders and easing of travel restrictions,” said Wendy Paradis, ACTA president.

“Heather is a valued team member of ACTA and always brings a ‘we can do this’ attitude to every initiative she tackles. Although we will miss seeing her virtually every day, we wish Heather a wonderful retirement!”

Along with Craig-Peddie’s role in Canada, she is also a member of the WTAAA (World Travel Agency Alliance Association) Global Air Matters Committee, representing Canadian travel agent interests at Global IATA Committee meetings. 

Craig-Peddie will continue to be available to members until July 16, 2021.

Avery Campbell joins ACTA’s advocacy team

ACTA’s aggressive advocacy efforts will continue under the leadership of Paradis, supported by Manon Martel, Karen Cullen and new to the team - Avery Campbell.

Campbell comes to ACTA with more than five years travel industry experience at Awarding Canada and McCord Travel, and was most recently the Public Affairs Manager at the Canola Council of Canada. 

He has a Bachelor of Arts degree focusing on Government and Communications, a Law Degree specializing in International Business Law, and a Graduate Certificate in Air & Space Law.

“Between Avery’s business experience and education background, we are confident that he will make a tremendous contribution to ACTA and the Canadian retail travel industry,” said Paradis.

Cullen has been working with ACTA doing various advocacy projects since 2019. Cullen has over 30 years Canadian travel industry experience including 19 years in retail travel with Thomas Cook/Marlin Travel and 12 years as National Director with Allianz Global Assistance.

The team is supported by ACTA’s government relations firm, Wellington Dupont in Ottawa.

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