02 Oct Nexion Travel Group Announces 2018 Canadian Member Awards

Rising Star and Nexion Townie of the Year Honored During Annual CoNexion Conference

LONDON, ONT. (October 2, 2018) – Nexion Travel Group announced its Canadian member award winners during the host agency’s annual conference, CoNexion, currently underway aboard Royal Caribbean International’s Harmony of the Seas. The honourees are:

• Rising Star Award – Melissa Erskine of iDream Travel in Burlington, Ontario
• NexionTown Townie of the Year – Shylar Bredewold of Odyssean Travel in London, Ontario

Erskine’s Rising Star recognition resulted from significant sales growth over the past year and a commitment to professional education. Erskine, whose sales have grown threefold over the past year, specializes in family-focused cruise groups. She also makes a point of taking advantage of educational opportunities such as the Cruise Lines International Association’s Cruise360 conference and various Nexion Travel Group educational events.

Erskine joined the travel industry following a career in social work and has been able to apply many of the skills developed earlier in her career to her role as a travel advisor. “When I wanted to make a career change, it seemed like travel would be ideal,” said Erskine. “Not only do I get to own my own business, but planning cruises is really enjoyable. Sending people on their dream vacations is a dream job! I love being part of Nexion Travel Group and chose to work with a host agency so that I could have access to the resources of a larger business. Their educational events, tools and marketing programs are second to none and I look forward to continuing to partner with Nexion Travel Group as I grow my business even more.”

The Townie of the Year award recognizes a Nexion Travel Group member who makes exceptional use of the company’s internal social platform, NexionTown, and goes above and beyond in guiding and advising fellow members. Bredewold was designated Canadian Townie of the Year based on exemplary engagement with and support of other Nexion Travel Group colleagues through supplier recommendations, advice on how to grow sales as well as dealing with challenging customers and how to consistently stay positive.

“One of the best parts of joining a host agency is the opportunity to connect with and mentor others,” said Bredewold. “NexionTown gives me an easy way to help my fellow members all over Canada. As an added bonus, I have expanded my own network and refined my problem-solving skills.”

Nexion Travel Group also recognized eight Canadian members as Circle of Excellence award winners. This sales award is given to top producers who have hit high sales goals and supported Nexion Travel Group’s preferred supplier partners.

“I congratulate all of the Nexion Travel Group award winners,” said Mike Foster, President of Nexion Travel Group – Canada. “From the incredible selling power of our Circle of Excellence winners, to Melissa’s inspiring story, to Shy’s willingness to generously give his time and advice to others, they all have one thing in common — they are elevating the role of travel advisor to the traveling public. We are so proud they have chosen to associate themselves with Nexion Travel Group. It is truly an honour that we count them among our membership.”

To learn more about becoming a Nexion Travel Group member travel agent, call 866-399-9989 or email sales@nexioncanada.com.

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Nexion Travel Group
Nexion® Travel Group is a host travel agency that provides ticketing, operations, fulfillment support and marketing services for independent travel agents, allowing members to focus on selling travel and enabling them to operate more efficiently and profitably by reducing costs and increasing revenue. The predecessor to Nexion Travel Group began operating in 1982. In 2013, the organization became Nexion Canada when it was purchased by Nexion, LLC – which is North America’s premier host travel agency. Nexion Travel Group is a subsidiary of U.S.-based Travel Leaders Group, which is home to more than 52,000 travel agents in the U.S., Canada, United Kingdom and Mexico. Together with the size and clout of Travel Leaders Group, Nexion Travel Group’s local and client-focused professional travel consultants are provided access to global resources, insight and buying power.

2018: Year of the Travel Agent
Travel Leaders Group has named 2018 Year of the Travel Agent. Over the last decade, the travel agency industry has flourished through technology, the growth of travel options and personalized service. Travel Leaders Group represents more than 52,000 travel agents with unmatched expertise in 135,000 destinations and 53,000 areas of interest. Travelers and suppliers have rediscovered the value a professional travel advisor delivers to the travel experience. Travel agents help to move people around the world, and keep our economy growing.