“It takes a village”: Paradis says farewell at ACTA golf event; new president looks ahead

No passports were required, but there were plenty of frequent flyers on the fairway at The Association of Canadian Travel Agencies and Travel Advisors (ACTA’s) 35th annual travel industry golf tournament on Thursday (July 10) at Royal Ontario Golf Club in Milton, ON.

With 156 players from all corners of the biz, hitting the links under a hot sun (while participating in prize-winning activations along the way), the event teed off with high energy thanks to vibrant carnival dancers from The Bahamas, the event’s destination sponsor, who greeted attendees with tropical flair right from the first swing.

“The travel industry looks forward to [this] every year,” Wendy Paradis, ACTA’s outgoing president, told PAX, which spent the day photographing participants on the course. “It’s a wonderful opportunity to connect on a deeper level—not just professionally, but personally as well.”

Suzanne Acton-Gervais starts new role

It was a significant day for Paradis, who officially wrapped up her career yesterday as she retires.

Suzanne Acton-Gervais, former vice president of stakeholder relations and regulatory affairs at the National Airlines Council of Canada (NACC), is now at the helm of ACTA.

Her official first day was yesterday, and after a warm introduction to the industry during a day of networking on a golf course, she’s enthusiastic about getting started.

READ MORE: “Business is strong”: Travel pros swing into action at ACTA’s 2025 golf tournament

“As I step into this role, I do so with great respect for ACTA’s history and a greater sense of responsibility for its future,” Acton-Gervais, who is bilingual, told about 220 attendees over dinner later that evening.

She said her focus will be on “building on the trust you have placed in this organization.”

“I will work to amplify the voices of our members and ensure that ACTA continues to be a powerful force for innovation, professionalism and advocacy in our industry,” she said. “I’m excited to listen, to learn and lead – together with all of you.”

Although Acton-Gervais did not participate in formal media interviews yesterday, she is expected to do so in the coming weeks. PAX will continue to provide updates as those engagements take place.

Paradis, who worked alongside Acton-Gervais as part of the Canadian Travel and Tourism Roundtable, an advocacy initiative that formed during the pandemic to restore and recover cross-border travel, took a moment to reflect on her career.

She recalled her first flight at 16 to Europe, which sparked her passion for travel. "I was so thrilled, smitten with this industry,” she told attendees. “I loved everything about it –especially our airline tickets that were booked through a small Etobicoke travel agency called The Travel Bug.”

This propelled Paradis through a diverse range of roles over the years, from travel advisor to travel manager, then advancing to regional director, vice president, and ultimately president of ACTA.

It takes a village

Paradis emphasized the collaborative spirit within the Canadian travel industry, stating "it takes a village to be successful."

She also noted the importance of recruiting young adults to the industry, amplifying the voices of independent travel advisors – “the fastest-growing travel advisor community” – and the efforts ACTA has made in advancing Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) in the industry.

On DEIA specifically: “We went on this journey together in 2020 when things were really rough in the world, and the ACTA team and our committees have not let up one beat,” she said.

She praised the ACTA team as "the absolutely best, most engaged team,” highlighting their dedication to making a difference for members.

“I couldn't have worked with a greater group of people,” said Paradis, expressing confidence in their future under Acton-Gervais’ leadership.

Big winners

ACTA’s sold-out golf tournament was held to raise funds for the association’s advocacy fund.

This year’s event was made possible by headlining sponsors Air Canada, Air Canada Vacations, the Globus Family of Brands and Manulife.  

Park N’ Fly, Hyatt’s Inclusive Collection, Marriott International and Club Med also lent their support, among many others.  

Who were the day’s big winners? See the list here!

Top Mixed Teams (score of -7) - Sponsored by Air Canada and Air Canada Vacations

Mason Spencer - Air New Zealand, Elisa Wong - Direct Travel, Joel Arroyo - Air New Zealand, Anthony Saba - Goway

Gregory Luciani - TravelOnly, Kit Neil - Tully Luxury Travel, Sonia McKeon - Uniglobe Travel, Mark Stubbert - Ensemble

Top Ladies Team (score of +6) - Sponsored by Air Canada and Air Canada Vacations

Diane Zeppieri - Auto Europe, Pat Rotz - CAA Niagara, Megan Marut - Butterfield, Mikyla Mosley - Britt & Company Travel

Top Men’s Team (score of -5) - Sponsored by Air Canada and Air Canada Vacations

Rocky Racco - TTI Travel, Michael Degrace - Air Canada, Sanjay Kopalkar - Mondee Canada, Roberto Gennaro - Redtag.ca

Most Honest Golf Team - Sponsored by Enterprise Mobility

Racquel Queensborough - Jamaica Tourist Board, Jennifer Svoboda - Freedom Holidays, Diana Shulist - Freedom Holidays, Michelle Theoret - Travel Café Experience

Ladies’ Closest to the Pin - Sponsored by the Tourist Office of Spain

Ornelo Strefi - Continental Currency Exchange

Men’s Closest to the Pin - Sponsored by the Tourist Office of Spain

Colin Wood - VoX

Ladies’ Longest Drive - Sponsored By Air Canada and Air Canada Vacations

Birdie Chavarria - NorthStar Travel

Men’s Longest Drive - Sponsored By Air Canada and Air Canada Vacations

Mark DiVito - OS Travel

Ladies’ Closest to the Keg - Sponsored by Visit Portugal

Sonia McKeon - Uniglobe Travel

Men’s Closest to the Keg - Sponsored by Visit Portugal

Andrew Alleyne - Barbados

Best Photo Award - Sponsored by Allianz Global Assistance

Ricardo Maharaj - Hyatt, Quinn Brown - Bahamas, Laurie Keith - Boutique Travel Services, Tracy Keith - Romantic Planet Vacations

Hole In One Competition - Sponsored by Sandals/Unique Vacations

Stephen Smith - Direct Travel

Grand prize winners

Several grand prizes were also award. They were as follows:

4-night stay at Grand Hyatt at Baha Mar in Nassau & Paradise Island for 2, airport transfers, 5-day Valet Parking at Park'N Fly, and 2 Air Canada Economy Class round trip tickets - Compliments of Bahamas, Park’N Fly and Air Canada

Winner: Tarik Achab Zekri, Qatar Airlines

Two round-trip Air Canada Economy Class round trip tickets for North America - Compliments of Air Canada and Air Canada Vacations

Winner: Raquel Queensborough, Jamaica Tourist Board

Two round-trip Air Canada Economy Class tickets for system wide travel - Compliments of Air Canada and Air Canada Vacations

Winner: Louise Gardiner, Wired for Travel, The Travel Agent Next Door

To see more photos from ACTA's golf tournament, visit and "like" PAX's Facebook page here. 

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