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I’ve lastly managed to catch my breath after an impressive time at The Journey Summit this previous weekend. This was by far the most important occasion we’ve organized so far, and it was a powerful success.
For many who attended or for many who didn’t, I’d like to supply a roundup of the weekend with some highlights, photographs, and impressions of the primary – however positively not final – occasion of this magnitude.
Welcome to The Journey Summit
We started welcoming 25 audio system and 400+ company from throughout North America and around the globe on Friday, October 28, for pre-registration on the Hyatt Regency Toronto. Company who picked up their lanyard and lunch reward card had been in a position to skip the strains on the day of the occasion, permitting for an additional snooze cycle or two.
Starting at 8am on Saturday morning, pleasure was within the air because the Prince of Journey staff whisked lots of of attendees by way of the registration sequence. Attendees mingled within the foyer of the Metro Toronto Conference Centre (MTCC) previous to my opening remarks at 9am.
I used to be beaming with pleasure and power as I took the stage and regarded out over the gang. After a 12 months of late nights and countless conferences to arrange the occasion, it was unimaginable to see all of it come collectively proper earlier than my very personal eyes.
Journey & Loyalty, Underneath the Hood
Following the opening remarks, we settled in for a riveting keynote presentation with our two particular company.
Everybody’s favorite airline executives, Air Canada’s Mark Nasr and Scott O’Leary, took the stage with me for an hour to debate all issues Aeroplan. Certainly, there was a lot to debate, with latest adjustments to Aeroplan 35K standing, bulletins about upcoming partnerships, and adjustments to the Aeroplan phrases and situations.
The dynamic duo took my questions in stride, and it was very attention-grabbing to have them clarify the reasoning behind all of the adjustments. For instance, I used to be intrigued to study that Maple Leaf Lounge entry by way of holding a premium co-branded Aeroplan bank card accounts for lower than 10% of lounge visits.
Moreover, Mark defined that the character of lounge visits has shifted significantly since earlier than the pandemic. Not solely are extra travellers paying for enterprise class on leisure journeys, however passengers are spending extra time on common within the lounge, which each contribute to a number of the overcrowding we’ve seen just lately.
We allowed for loads of time for The Journey Summit attendees to ask Mark and Scott any questions of their selecting. They took the time to reply every query in nice element, and even provided their contact info for any required follow-up.
It’s fairly refreshing to have such direct entry to a number of the prime brass at an airline loyalty program, and we’re grateful for Mark and Scott’s attendance and ongoing engagement with the group. They continued to stay round to reply questions through the networking break, which our company undoubtedly appreciated.
Breakout Periods
Following a 15-minute networking break, The Journey Summit started in full with the primary spherical of 4 breakout classes. Our star-studded lineup of audio system coated a bunch of subjects, starting from digital nomadism to content material creation to all issues Miles & Factors.
Throughout every of the six hour-long breakout classes over the weekend, there have been 4 completely different subjects from which attendees might select. The classes had been geared in direction of completely different ranges, with one thing for newcomers, frequent flyers, superior travellers, and everybody in between.
Attendees didn’t must register for particular classes, however fairly might select which one to attend at their leisure.
Our skilled audio system delivered displays after which took questions from the attendees. Company stuffed the rooms for displays in regards to the world’s finest First Class airways, the artwork of digital nomadism, a dwell demonstration on discovering award availability, unlocking journey freedom with actual property, and extra.
All classes had been well-attended, and I actually am delighted to have realized rather a lot over the course of the weekend.
I’m sure that everybody went house with loads of new views and knowledge factors on the right way to elevate their journey recreation. Attendees may even be despatched recordings of all displays, in case they should recall a number of the info offered or compensate for a session that they couldn’t attend.
In fact, occasions like these aren’t simply in regards to the materials offered. Company, audio system, and employees had loads of alternatives to mingle and community in-between every of the breakout classes.
Maybe somebody had a selected query that one of many audio system might instantly deal with, or maybe there was some information sharing amongst the ever-curious Miles & Factors group. Both method, there have been loads of new friendships solid and heat smiles from acquainted faces amongst our 400-strong group.
I actually loved participating with attendees and audio system, and located it as invigorating as ever to be round a bunch of such passionate travellers over the course of the weekend.
Knowledgeable Traveller Panel
Day 1 of The Journey Summit concluded with a panel dialogue with a bunch of journey specialists: Amy Tung from Prince of Journey, Carmen & Serge Sognonvi from Prime Flight Household, Gilbert Ott from God Save the Factors, Julia Menez from Geobreeze Journey, Mike Howard from HoneyTrek, Victoria M. Walker from Journey with Vikkie, Stefan Krasowski from Fast Journey Chai, and yours actually.
Our moderator, Anshul Singh from Factors Miles and Bling, guided the panel by way of a collection of thought-provoking questions.
Every skilled traveller provided their distinctive perspective on a variety of subjects, together with household journey, visiting each nation on the planet, the professionals and cons of journey content material within the social media panorama, journey experiences for folks of color, and the artwork of journey within the post-pandemic period.
Attendees additionally had the chance to throw inquiries to the panel, which facilitated a broad-ranging dialogue and, after all, just a few laughs as effectively.
Saturday Night Social gathering
On the conclusion of the primary day, the networking didn’t cease on the MTCC. We set out by foot to satisfy up at Chef’s Corridor for some drinks, some nibbles, and a few extra banter.
The room was buzzing because the conversations roared on over the course of three and a half hours. I had the chance to attach with audio system and company alike, sharing some anecdotes, journey tales, and, after all, loads of information and tips on travelling the world on factors.
The evening was nonetheless younger as our time at Chef’s Corridor got here to a detailed. Many teams of attendees carried the celebration on effectively into the night, and I’m certain that there have been just a few groans as alarm clocks rang out early on Sunday morning.
Miles4Migrants: New Horizons and New Beginnings
Day 2 of The Journey Summit started with a keynote presentation from our charity companion Miles4Migrants. Patrick Stouffer shared touching tales about folks fleeing struggle and violence benefiting from the generosity of those that donate miles, factors, and money to assist cowl the price of flights.
Patrick’s discuss was a humbling reminder of the privilege of journey, and that not all journeys are made for leisure.
Our audio system kindly donated airline amenity kits and pajamas for our silent public sale all through the weekend. Attendees positioned bids on-line, with all the cash raised going to Miles4Migrants.
Just a few of our audio system, myself included, donated their time for lunch on Sunday, and attendees might place bids for an unique meal on the speaker’s dime.
In sum, company, audio system, and employees at The Journey Summit raised over $5,000 (CAD) and 300,000+ airline miles for Miles4Migrants, and I’m extraordinarily grateful for everybody’s generosity in elevating cash and miles for such an essential charitable trigger.
Anybody who needs to help Miles4Migrants can achieve this by testing the Miles4Migrants web site.
Conclusion
The primary-ever version of The Journey Summit is within the books, and I’m delighted with the way it all unfolded. A particular thank-you should go to Accor Stay Limitless and CardPointers for his or her help as occasion sponsors, with out which this weekend wouldn’t have been potential.
Our audio system supplied skilled perception on quite a lot of journey subjects, our attendees had direct entry to a number of the finest minds within the journey recreation over the course of the weekend, and all of us got here collectively to lift an impactful amount of money and factors for Miles4Migrants, a pre-eminent charitable group in our house.
I’m so grateful to everybody who attended the occasion, in addition to to everybody who helped put it collectively and make it a weekend to recollect.
If you happen to missed out this time, or in case you attended and may’t wait till the following one, remember to be a part of us on the subsequent version of The Journey Summit, set to happen in Spring 2024.
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