The #ACVDreamMakers 2019/2020 Sun Product Launch got an enthusiastic response from travel industry partners on Wednesday night in Vancouver.

Some 350 travel agents – a record attendance for this event in the Vancouver market – and more than 40 suppliers congregated at the Delta Hotels Burnaby Conference Centre. It was an opportunity to get to know suppliers representing properties in Florida, Hawaii, Las Vegas, Mexico, and Caribbean countries.

“It’s our biggest single initiative as a company to reach out to our trade partners, who are very, very important to us,” said Dana Gain, ACV’s Senior Director – Sales, Groups & Partnerships. “It’s the vast majority of our business. This is our way of reconnecting with all those trade partners in a big way. It’s really a big thank-you to them for all of their support over the past year.”

A lively presentation, spiced up with Caribbean music, highlighted ACV’s Sun Collection. With packages in more than 750 hotels (including 63 that are new to the tour operator’s lineup), more than 100 cruises, four resorts that are exclusive to ACV, and 28 that are semi-inclusive, Canadian travel advisors have a cornucopia of options for their clients. Operated by the nation’s largest airline, ACV connects in a whopping 63 cities across Canada.

Digital transformation is a major cornerstone of ACV’s current strategy, with the company recently setting up an enhanced web site.

“We’ve also launched a brand-new Facebook group called ACV Inner Circle, strictly for travel agents to allow us to communicate with them a lot more efficiently,” said Marigold Frontuna, General Manager Sales, Western Canada. “They can stay up-to-date on all our current promotions, campaigns, incentives, and FAM trips.”

ACV’s brand-new groups guide is a comprehensive brochure, showcasing benefits when selling to different types of groups, including wedding, leisure, and MICE.

In addition, the ramped-up ACV&ME loyalty program, debuting Nov. 1, includes more ways for travel agents to earn points and instant redemption for items like Aeroplan Miles, Visa gift cards, or travel vouchers. Twenty-eight new redemption partners have been introduced.

Celebratory attendees feasted at a variety of food stations, including poutine with pulled pork, chicken tacos, spaghetti bolognese, and S’mores with maple marshmallows.

It was also a special time to herald the success of regional travel agencies with a new awards program. The winners included:

2019 Western Groups Agent (British Columbia): Sheila Conwi, Flight Centre Groups

2019 Western Regional Diversification Partner (British Columbia): Jubilee Tours and Travel

2019 Western Regional Partner Award (British Columbia): Escapes.ca

Overall, the brand’s outlook was distinctly sunny.

“There’s a sense of loyalty when it comes to the destinations where Air Canada Vacations flies and where the clients are going to stay,” said Frontuna. “Also, we have a great revenue management team that stays on top of the pulse of the market to make sure we are competitive. We also have the ability to price-match. So we’re very quick and nimble.”

Vancouver was the second stop after Calgary on the fifth annual #ACVDreamMakers Tour. Upcoming events are in Halifax (Sept. 13), Montreal (Sept. 17), and Toronto (Sept. 19).