TPI 15th Anniversary - Press Release

Here is the May 12, 2009 press release from Travel Professionals International (TPI) for our 15th Anniversary:

WINNIPEG, CANADA – Travel Professionals International (TPI), Canada’s largest network of independent travel consultants, today announces the official kick-off of its 15th anniversary celebrations. Started in Winnipeg in 1994 by Morris Chia, TPI has since grown from a small operation into the largest of its kind in Canada – at over 700 Associates and counting in addition to a head office support team of nearly 50 people. “TPI started as a result of my love for the travel business,” said Chia, TPI’s Chairman. Having not previously been involved in the travel industry, Chia set out to build a business model to accommodate independent travel consultants that was focused heavily on training and supplier relationships in order to achieve a viable and respected operation. “I actually remember the first time I met Morris Chia… we sat down and had a very serious meeting about what he planned to do – to open a travel agency with home-based consultants across the country,” said Pat Rachey, Western Canada General Manager for Signature Vacations, and one of the first suppliers to sign an agreement with TPI. “We did work out a very good agreement and I’m so pleased that we did at the time. We’ve gone through many, many years together and the partnership just keeps growing and keeps getting stronger. […] We did look a little bit outside the box and joined them on their adventure to success.” Celebrations are planned for fifteen months – running the course of May 2009 to July 2010, and include special incentives and prizes each month for TPI’s main business partners – staff, suppliers/partners, associates, and consumers, respectively. Partnering with TPI for each month throughout the campaign are TPI preferred partners, including anniversary kick-off partners Sunquest, Holiday Network, Encore CruiseEscapes, ALBATours, Intair, and FunSun Vacations, for the months of May and June 2009. The 15th anniversary celebration was announced before over 120 associates, staff, and preferred partners at TPI’s annual conference currently taking place aboard the Carnival Splendor, as well as over 120 associates and staff taking part in TPI’s live online edition of the annual conference. Concurrently released was a video telling the story of TPI as well as sending well-wishes from preferred partners and team members: TPI 15th Anniversary Video.

__________

For over fifteen years, Travel Professionals International (TPI) has been the premier provider of outsourced travel solutions to travel agents and agencies. Backed by a head office support system with over forty highly skilled travel professionals, a world-class reservation system, and excellent supplier relationships, over 700 TPI Associates are ready and available to provide full-service travel solutions. More information is available at http://www.janustravel.ca/

TPI - Janus Travel We'll Take You There

TPI - Janus Travel Welcomes Beth McColl!

We have a big, big announcement today & it's related my road trip adventure in Winnipeg earlier this week.

Ron & I are very pleased to welcome Beth McColl to TPI - Janus Travel. Beth & I completed the Travel Professionals International (TPI) training program on Friday. That makes it official! Beth is a Travel Consultant with TPI - Janus Travel. Her official title within the TPI network is Referral Representative. It means she works with us, through our independent agency. Beth is developing her own clientele as well as helping us provide service to you.

Ron & I met Beth in 2005 on one of the most beautiful train trips in the world, the Rocky Mountaineer. We were enroute from Calgary to Vancouver for TPI's Annual Conference. Like me, Beth is an avid gardener. She hails from Nova Scotia via Toronto. A group of us began talking about gardens & travel on the train. Beth was getting ready to move from Toronto to Edmonton. After the conference, along with her husband, Bob McColl, we became good friends over the past several years. Both of them are great human beings with too many talents to list here!

Beth is an experienced TPI Travel Consultant. She left the travel industry to work full-time as a computer consultant & IT specialist. This summer is a perfect time for her return to the industry as our first TPI - Janus Travel Referral Rep. We are very happy she choose to become involved in our work. Earlier this summer, my first thought was to "keep Beth company" while she retrains in Winnipeg. Then I decided to become more involved in the travel work myself & complete the training program with her. I'm glad I did.

Please join Ron Beth & I, as we celebrate three great milestones:

• A new era with Beth McColl at TPI - Janus Travel
• The 12th Anniversary of TPI - Janus Travel and
• The 15th Anniversary of Travel Professionals International.

TPI 15th Anniversary - Video

In May we began 15 months of festivities marking the 15th anniversary of Travel Professionals International, Canada's largest network of independent travel consultants. TPI - Janus Travel joined the network shortly after its third anniversary.

Take at look at TPI's special 15th anniversary video featuring Morris Chia recounting the beginnings of TPI, along with other TPI team members and preferred partners wishing TPI all the best. The video is available for viewing at http://www.tpi.ca/fifteenth.asp

It's only a 4 1/2 hour drive

August 24, 2009
Winnipeg

Yesterday Beth McColl & I drove from Edmonton to Winnipeg. We left Edmonton at seven o'clock in the morning. Prior to yesterday, any memories of 13 hour journeys in vehicles were tucked away somewhere in the distant corners of my long term memory. The chances I'd voluntarily drive a full day without stopping were zero. Beth is used to long drives. She enjoys them.

By early afternoon Beth finished her last cup of coffee and I finally realized she wasn't kidding about driving to Winnipeg without stopping. Eight hours after departure, we stopped at a Yorkton, Saskatchewan gas station. As we drove away Beth said "It's only a 4 1/2 drive" to Winnipeg and I absolutely cracked up with laughter. As a result, the quip "It's only a 4 1/2 drive” is now on my personal list of memorable phrases.

We arrived in Winnipeg safe and sound at 8:45 pm Edmonton time.

Thanks for driving Beth!

"We're Going to Winnipeg"

Do you remember the line "We're going to Winnipeg?" from the WestJet TV commercial? Well...Beth McColl & I arrived here in Winnipeg last night after a 13 1/2 hour road trip from Edmonton. We're here at the Head Office of Travel Professionals International all week. I'll post again soon with more information.

Yes, my TPI - Janus Travel Blog was AWOL

Yes, my TPI - Janus Travel Blog here at www.janustravel.ca was AWOL. The break was longer than anticipated. Blogger by Goggle changed the account access parameters for this blog. Between that, and other summer delights, the blog was absent without leave for far too long. Now I'm back & apologizing!

Are you travelling for arts & culture?

Are you a performer, an artist or arts administrator? ... Or have you been yearning to attend a special event, a show, a music festival or any destination for its arts, culture & entertainment scene? Music, theatre, culture & the arts are an integral part of our own travels. If they are part of yours, contact TPI - Janus Travel & "We'll take you there." Let's start planning that trip.

Ron & I support our the local & global arts & entertainment industry in many ways: as business owners, audience members & volunteers and with other direct participation through our business & personal lives. Ron's background in theatre, stage & projection work, Cindy's 40+ years playing music, plus our longstanding commitment to excellent travel service make us your first choice for cultural & arts-based travel. Let us share your festival & cultural dreams & get you on your way!

Whether your destination is Newport or Cambridge, the Louvre or Las Vegas, Venice, Salmon Arm, Flagstaff or New York... TPI - Janus Travel will take you there for the arts & culture.