Previously known as Amazing Agents Celebration, it is now under the name Confidant Connect Live that Hyatt All Inclusive Collection welcomes its best agents (and their guests) to celebrate the end of the year and create networking and learning. The symposium was held this year from December 1st to 4th at Secrets St James Montego Bay and we were there!
During the Closing Gala on December 3, during a very glam evening where singers, dancers, entertainment and award ceremonies were at their peak, five agents received a Confidant Care Award which rewards agents who stand out for their involvement in their community and their support of the industry in an “extraordinary” way. Out of five recipients, two Canadian agents stood out, Chantal Lapointe of CAA Voyages Quyebec and Penny Martin of The Travel Agent Next Door.
TravelPulse Canada was able to speak with the two lucky recipients.
Chantal Lapointe, Penny Martin
“I am truly honored to receive this award which highlights my support of travelers and my contribution to the community through meaningful actions. World of Hyatt not only recognizes their partners for sales figures, but they also care about the well-being of the travel agents and customers we serve. These are values that we also promote at Travel Agent Next Door and it is refreshing to work with a company that sees "business" in such a global way, confides Penny Martin, who has just announced her resignation from her position as vice-president. President of Agent Experience at The Travel Agent Next Door based in Toronto, but not the travel industry she loves so much.
“This year, instead of simply announcing “performance” awards, the channel wanted to recognize people in the industry who have demonstrated, during their careers, the values of the organization, namely exceptional benevolence. I have been honored for my commitment and dedication to our industry and as a "fierce" advocate for travel advisors throughout my 40+ year career (42 this coming January!) Hyatt emphasizes that through my my work, my attention and my "caring" is exceptional, I have always put forward travel professionals, I have always valued travel professionals. There you have it, I passionately love our industry.” explains Chantal Lapointe, now director of growth strategy at CAA Voyages Quebec and based in Montreal.
Finally, Mme Lapointe had only good words for the Confidant Connect Live event which brought together 300 people for 4 days at Secrets Wild Orchid/St James Montego Bay.
“I appreciated the solidarity of colleagues, the variety of conference content and the quality of the speakers - David Pritchard was wow!!! The Hyatt group is dynamic and has demonstrated great strategies going forward and truly supports the travel community. A great success in my opinion.”
Brian Joseph, Penny Martin, Carolina Bellina (Photo Credit: Brian Joseph, Penny Martin, Carolina Bellina)
This is indeed our opinion, the event was very well organized, combining beach parties, concerts and outdoor entertainment with glam evenings and inspiring conferences in addition to a trade show with partners. In short, the ultimate in combining business and pleasure!
Here is the full list of 2023 Confidant Care Awards recipients:
Penny Martin, VP, The Travel Agent Next Door
Chantal Lapointe , Director, Partner Relations, CAA VouyagesQuebec
Mike Schelhase, Owner, Travel Haus
Syreeta Grose, Owner, Grose Travel Services, Meetings and Events
Jay Islam, Owner, Grand Travel
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