TTAND celebrates ten years, half a billion in sales at VIP supplier event

STORY BY JESSICA HURAS

On Thursday night (Nov. 7), The Travel Agent Next Door (TTAND) hosted its annual VIP Supplier Event at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel in Toronto.

The event brought together TTAND staff, as well as suppliers and trade media to connect over cocktails before attending a sit-down presentation, where Flemming Friisdahl, founder of TTAND, and his team shared company updates, plans for the coming year and commemorated the company’s 10-year anniversary.

“We love kicking off the Christmas season with this event,” said Friisdahl, addressing attendees. “It’s our opportunity to say a simple thank you.”

The presentation began with a special award honouring Penny Martin, TTAND’s vice-president of agent experience, in recognition of her ten years of service.

“The Travel Agent Next Door wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for Penny Martin,” said Friisdahl.

Jeff Element, TTAND’s COO, then stepped up to announce that the company is on track to reach $500 million in sales by the end of the year.

He added that more than 150 new agents are expected to join the network next year, setting the company on a path to reach a projected $560 million in sales in 2025.

“The success that we've had this year with our partner agents and our supplier partners has been a record,” said Friisdahl, speaking to PAX. “This year, we'll do half a billion in sales – it’s the first time a host agency has even come close to a number of that magnitude.”

With 749 primary agents and 698 partner agents, TTAND’s network has seen impressive growth in 2024. However, Friisdahl noted he isn’t concerned about the network reaching an unmanageable size.

“I’m not nervous about becoming ‘too big’ because we're staying true to the things that we always said we would do,” he said.

He pointed out that, despite the network’s growth, TTAND’s team remains committed to answering calls within 90 to 120 seconds, reaching out to primary agents every three months and consistently gathering feedback on agents’ future needs.

“But now we can invest a lot more money into programs,” he said. “We’re not keeping that money – we’re reinvesting.”

Leveraging new technology

“As a host agency, we put a lot of time and effort and money into developing tools that no other host agency has,” said Element during his presentation.

He highlighted the newer features of TTAND’s in-house built “Hub,” which includes electronic forms that agents can send directly to clients to capture their consent, validate credit card information and collect personal client data.

The Hub also includes a new AI-powered itinerary builder that automatically generates descriptions.

“It’s an amazing tool that makes our agents more efficient,” said Element.

He also drew attention to the recent launch of new booking engines for cruises and ITC.

More 2024 wins

The event followed TTAND’s recent road-show series in September and October, during which the team and five supplier partners travelled to 16 cities across Canada in just 11 days, drawing over 500 agents.

Robin Mednick, founder and president of Pencils for Kids, also took the stage to express gratitude to TTAND for its support of the organization’s educational initiatives in Niger, West Africa.

Mednick highlighted that TTAND’s suppliers and agents raised upwards of $77,750 for Pencils for Kids at the host agency’s conference held in Jordan this past June.

Looking ahead to 2025

During his presentation, Element also announced the details of TTAND’s 2025 conference, which will take place April 4-11 in Cancun, Mexico.

In 2025, Friisdahl told PAX that TTAND will be developing luxury and corporate programs.

The company will also launch two issues of a digital magazine, called Destination Luxe, to help support its growth into the luxury and premium markets.

Additionally, new agent engagement incentive programs are in the works.

Reflecting on TTAND’s ten years in business, Friisdahl shared that what makes him most proud is the positive impact the company has had on the lives of its advisors.

“I get emails saying, ‘With the amount of commission I make now, I was able to buy a car for my family or I could retire earlier,’” he said. “We're staying true to what we believe in and we’re getting better and better at doing it.”

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