Spring Granite expos a “resounding success,” fall shows start in October

The spring segment of the third annual Granite Travel Trade Expos was a “resounding success,” reads a press release, attracting more than 750 travel agents and 40 industry suppliers.

The Ontario series began on April 22 in Windsor, followed by Kitchener on April 23, Barrie on April 24, and concluded in Oshawa on April 25.

The Eastern Canada series kicked off in St. John’s, NL on April 28, moved to Halifax, NS on April 30, and wrapped up in Moncton, NB on May 1. The expos are being praised for bringing essential exposure to smaller markets that are often underserved.

“We’ve received extremely positive feedback this year from both our suppliers and the agents who attended,” said Bradley Dean, Oakville-Toronto Partner at Granite Productions. “We’ve surpassed our expectations and are thrilled with the results — largely due to the incredible support from our attending suppliers and agents. Travel agents have expressed strong appreciation for our shows, and we’ve received numerous inquiries from agents outside our current markets, asking us to bring the event to their cities. It’s truly been a wonderful experience.”

Making the connection

Now in its third year, the Granite Travel Trade Expos are regional travel industry events designed to connect top-producing travel agents with key suppliers in the communities where they do business. Each event featured interactive, in-person consultations and presentations. 

Hosted by Sal Buccellato, the events included a series of 15-minute supplier presentations, followed by a trade show, dinner, and prize giveaways.

The 2025 Spring Vendors included: Bahia Principe Hotels and Resorts, St. Kitts Tourism Authority, Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Investment Board, Aruba Tourism Authority, Auto Europe, Axor Inversiones S.A., Bahamas Tourist Office, Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc., Blue Bay Hotels, Blue Diamond Resorts, Blue Diamond Resorts Cuba, Catalonia Hotels and Resort, Collette, Couples Resorts, Cuba Tourist Board, Emotions by Hodelpa, Jamaica Tourist Board, Majestic Resorts, Nassau & Paradise Island Promotion Board, Oasis Hotels & Resorts, Palladium Hotel Group, Palmaia, Playa Hotels & Resorts, Princess Hotels & Resorts Jamaica, Princess Hotels and Resorts DR, Sandals & Beaches Resorts, SATA Azores Airlines, Serenade Caribbean, Sirenis Hotels & Resorts, The Palace Company, The Ritz-Carlton Toronto, The Special Travel Corporation, Transcend Cruises, TTC Tour Brands, Uniworld Boutique River Cruises, Valentin Imperial Riviera Maya, Visit Central Florida, Visit Myrtle Beach, Visit New Jersey/Visit Atlantic City, Visit Orlando, Viva Resorts by Wyndham, WestJet Vacations, Yukon Tours.

Agents reportedly appreciated the ease of attending, with smaller venues, free parking, and short drive times highlighted as key benefits. Here’s what some of the agents had to say:

“Participating in the April 2025 travel trade show in St. John's, NL, hosted by Granite Productions Inc., was an invaluable opportunity to strengthen connections with key suppliers across the industry,” stated Karen Marsh of Expedia Cruises in St. John’s, NL. “Engaging in meaningful networking provided me with exclusive insights, new opportunities, and firsthand knowledge of the latest offerings. These relationships enable me to deliver exceptional service, offering tailored recommendations and seamless travel experiences that meet my clients' needs. The connections made at this event ensure I remain at the forefront of providing the best travel solutions.”

Fall shows coming up

The Granite Travel Trade Expos are now gearing up for the fall shows, starting in Winnipeg on October 20.

Limited space is available. The full fall schedule is as follows:

• Winnipeg, MB: October 20, 2025

• Red Deer, AB: October 21, 2025

• Kelowna, BC: October 22, 2025

• Abbotsford, BC: October 23, 2025

• Ottawa: November 3, 2025

• Kingston: November 4, 2025

• Aurora: November 5, 2025

• Hamilton-Burlington: November 6, 2025

Multi-show discounts of up to 10 per cent are available for vendors wishing to participate in the Expos. For more information and registration, click here or contact Bradley Dean at brad@graniteproductions.ca.

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