One-on-one with TravelLab's Brad Miron

For Brad Miron, his latest venture TravelLab marks a return to his roots.

Specializing in services such as marketing concepts, campaigns, strategies, multi-partner programs as well as destination representation and crisis recovery campaigns, the new company was unveiled at Cancun Travel Mart last month and since that time, Miron (who has dubbed himself 'founder and Chief Mad Scientist') has already signed up several clients, including a wholesaler and a destination partner, along with plenty of interest coming from hoteliers in particular, he said.

Miron told PAX that the new business mirrors his start in the travel industry, which came after itravel2000 hired him as an independent marketing consultant in 1999, resulting in a full-time marketing position with the company (where he created the company’s popular 'Let It Snow' campaign). His work in the travel industry eventually lead to a role with TravelBrands as the company’s VP of marketing and brand development, which he departed in August. Given the constant need for marketing in travel, the decision to go back out on his own was a relatively simple one, Miron explained.

“I’ve always had the interest of going back (as an independent marketer),” Miron said. “I’ve seen there’s a need in the industry for marketing services for hotel chains, retailers, wholesalers, destinations and one of the key things I was always known for was coming up with ideas to help set brands apart.... I also had a lot of partners over the years who said ‘it would be great if you could work on our stuff,’ so now I’m independent and I have a group of freelancers who I work with for whatever company in travel that needs PR or marketing expertise.”

While many of those freelancers (providing everything from video and design skills to social media and PR handling) are contacts he has established and maintained over the years, some members of Miron’s team are located near his office at Innovation Guelph, which provides space for entrepreneurs establishing start-up businesses in the Ontario city.

And while the doors have just opened at TravelLab, Miron said that the response from the industry has been overwhelmingly positive and looking ahead to 2016, he already has plans in place to grow the business, including “research and database driven initiatives” to be announced in the new year.

“I’ve had a very warm reception from the entire industry, many from past experiences, who’ve given me some great comments and want to look at how we can together,” he said.