South African Airways has announced the tour dates for this year’s Africa Showcase, which will for the first time include a stop in Canada (Toronto on Oct. 7). The Africa Showcase is the largest travel trade event in North America featuring exclusively African suppliers that represent hotels, safari lodges, destination tourism organizations, and other attractions that are popular with North American travellers. The show brings Africa travel specialists the latest trends on the region’s products and services, enabling those who participate to boost their sales to the increasingly popular destinations throughout Africa.
(http://www.flysaa.com)

TRAVELSAVERS Canada
Business Building Boot Camps
November dates

TRAVELSAVERS Canada reports that registration for its regional 2015 Business Building Boot Camps is open. The intensive profit-building program is designed to deliver innovative ideas, educational sessions and actionable strategies, proven money-making programs, a trade show, one-on-one sessions to discuss product offerings, marketing, sales tactics and vendor support and networking opportunities. This year, two locations have been arranged – Nov. 5-7, The Fairmont Chateau Whistler Resort, Whistler, BC, and Nov. 21-23, The Fairmont Chateau Laurier Hotel, Ottawa.
(http://ca.travelsavers.com)

TIABC
Annual Conference
Oct. 20-21

The Tourism Industry Association of BC (TIABC) has locked down the dates for the BC Tourism Industry Conference, set for Vancouver on Oct. 20-21. The 2015 conference will offer a variety of workshops, keynote speakers and tourism professionals from all regions of the province. Upwards of 400 delegates are expected to attend this year’s event, representing all sectors of the industry from city/community destination marketing organizations, to independent operators to provincial and municipal government leaders.
(http://www.bctourismconference.ca)

TPI
Annual conference
Nov. 16-19

Travel Professionals International (TPI) has unveiled details of its plans for its upcoming 2015 TPI Annual Conference. Now entering its 21st year in business, TPI will be holding its annual event at the Meliá Marina Varadero in Cuba from Nov. 16-19. The event is being presented by TPI, Transat Holidays and Nolitours, and Meliá Hotels & Resorts. More than 250 travel advisors, guests, staff and travel partners are expected to attend the which will include site inspections, networking opportunities, keynote speakers, training workshops, excursions, and more.
(http://www.tpi.ca)
SANDALS
Agent workshops
August – September

Sandals Resorts continues its cross-Canada tour of informative travel agent workshops July through September. “The Closer You Look, The Better We Look” workshops will teach agents what sets the Sandals Luxury Included Vacation experience apart from all the rest by giving them the tools to scope it out, including comprehensive product updates, including the new Sandals Barbados, info on the lucrative groups market with Sandals Resorts and Beaches Resorts, and general sales and marketing tips. The workshops are open to all agents seeking to become Certified Sandals Specialists and current CSS agents who need to maintain their status. The morning sessions take place 7:45 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. and include continental breakfast (with the exception of four afternoon sessions in Sudbury, Thunder Bay, Quebec City and Toronto which feature continental lunch). Space is limited and agents are asked to register early. A non-refundable fee of $35 is required at time of registration. All participants receive a workbook and collateral kit, a certificate upon completion of the workshop and an exclusive booking incentive.
The workshop schedule is as follows: Sept. 3, Edmonton, Courtyard Marriott West; Sept. 10, Ottawa, Ottawa Conference & Event Centre; Sept. 14, Rouy-Noranda, Que., French workshop, Best Western Plus Hotel Albert; Sept. 16, Mississauga, Ont., Four Points by Sheraton; Sept. 17, Kitchener, Ont., Holiday Inn; Sept. 22, Windsor, Ont., Caesars Windsor; Sept. 23, London, Ont., Best Western Plus Lamp-lighter Inn & Conference Centre; Sept. 29, Toronto, Radisson Hotel Toronto East; Sept. 30, Toronto (afternoon session, 1 p.m. – 5:15 p.m.). Radisson Hotel Toronto East.
Agents can register online at http://www.uvisandals.ca.