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Air Transat held its annual Sun Product Showcase event at the Pearson Convention Centre in Brampton on Monday night, a packed event with nearly 500 travel agents from the Toronto area.

The event in the past has featured sit-down dinners with slide shows and sometimes crazy costumes. But this year’s event, part of a Transat cross-country tour that includes events on Tuesday, Sept. 18 in Hamilton and Wednesday, Sept. 19 in London, Ontario, was different.

“Now we have a trade show all night with breakout sessions every 15 minutes from our silver sponsor suppliers,” said Dan Prior, sales manager Ontario and Atlantic. “The concept is a bit more free and easy, and there’s food all night so agents can do things at their own pace.”

The trade show featured displays from Mexico, Orlando, Cuba and other destinations. The main floor also had officials from Hard Rock Hotels, Melia, Iberostar, Palladium and other hotel groups.

Prior told agents that Transat’s top selling sun destinations are still Mexico, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica and Florida.

“Florida is a destination we continue to add capacity to,” he said. “We’re also going back to St. Martin this year and to San Juan, Puerto Rico for our Carnival Cruise trips.”

Prior also mentioned Spain and Portugal as winter sun destinations; engaging places with warm weather that can serve as an alternative to Canadians who might not want to visit Florida.

Transat is adding more than a dozen Airbus 321 Neo LR aircraft next spring, part of their move to an all Airbus fleet that will cut down on pilot training times and simplify maintenance.

Prior mentioned that Transat took home the “Best Groups” award at the TravelPulse Canada awards show in May. They also won also for best reservations department.

Prior also talked about Transat’s Cruise Program, a great package for agents to sell that includes air, transfers and the cruise. Clients can book extended stays of up to 14 days prior to or after their cruise, get a guaranteed cabin category, added luggage allowance, flight protection and more.

“The pricing is absolutely phenomenal,” he said.

Transat is now partnering with Princess Cruises and is adding flights to Fort Lauderdale and Tampa to help with the cruise business.

Prior also took the time to thank travel agents for the hard work they do every day.

Other highlights from the evening:

Alex Portman, regional sales and marketing manager, central Canada, told agents that Karisma offers everything from gourmet produce to beach butlers. They’re also “toddler inclusive,” with everything from high chairs to strollers and baby food on hand for folks who don’t want to pack half the basement for a trip with their young ones.

AMResorts has toned down the risqué factor at its Breathless Resorts, where events such as lingerie parties are a thing of the past. AM also is selling its high-end Reflect brand, which launched in July and has Reflect Krystal Grand properties in Cancun, Los Cabos and Nueva Vallarta. It’s a four and-a-half to five star brand that’s family friendly, said Brian Joseph, Business Development Manager, Ontario.

Palladium will open the Grand Palladium Costa Mujeres Resort and Spa in November, complete with the first-ever Rafael Nadal tennis centre and clay courts.