2017 BSAP Ambassadors Honoured In Toronto
The Future Looks Bright
A quality quintet… Rhonda Lafosse, Regional Sales Manager, Ontario, TPI; Kristina Norman, Baxter Ambassador, Fanshawe College; Cheryl Trikha, Baxter Ambassador, Centennial College; Katherine Lo, Baxter Ambassador, Ryerson University; Tom Griffin, Assistant Professor, Ryerson University
Well, it was quite a celebration. The Baxter Student Ambassador Program (BSAP) added 12 new Ambassadors to its ranks and it did it in style, with an Awards luncheon at Toronto’s Chelsea Hotel at the beginning of May.
Close to 60 students, educators and travel industry types were on hand for the event that introduce some bright new stars to the Canadian travel and tourism business.
For those of you who don’t know, BSAP is the only student mentoring program of its kind in Canada, and it aims to help each student make their dream a reality.
Based on a combination of academic success, community involvement, and leadership skills, BSAP identifies the most-promising student talent in travel, tourism and hospitality programs at Canada’s leading colleges and universities.
Then, through a skill-testing webinar presentation, one graduating student from each of this year’s 12 participating schools is selected as the Baxter Student Ambassador to represent their school.
Winning students will get a kick-start to their careers through a variety of networking and learning opportunities, plus the chance to gain hands-on experience through an internship or travel prize.
“We went from 1 to 12 schools in just three years, and already have more interest for next year’s program,” said Wendy McClung, executive vice-president, operations for Baxter Travel Media and a BSAP Director.
“As we continue to grow, we’re excited to work with other dedicated industry partners, all committed to inspiring and supporting the next generation of travel industry stars,” McClung added.
BSAP’s 2017 sponsors included Contiki, Transat, WestJet, Collette, Israel, TPI, Skål, Chelsea Hotel, Niagara Helicopters, ACTA, Big Bark, and TIAO.
While the 12 participating schools included Algonquin, British Columbia Institute of Technology, Capilano, Centennial, Confederation, Fanshawe, Fleming, Georgian, Humber, Ryerson, Seneca, and Sheridan.
As for BSAP’s 2017 Ambassadors, they were:
• Julie Cain, Fleming College
• Alina Doaga, BCIT
• Curtis Brown, Algonquin College
• Jenny Kim, Sheridan College
• Jessica Turda, Seneca College
• Brie Kelly, Capilano University
• Katherine Lo, Ryerson University
• Cheryl Trikha, Centennial College
• Kristina Norman, Fanshawe College
• Jacquiline Dmytryshyn, Georgian College
• Seija McKay, Confederation College
• Dhvani Gandhi, Humber College
If you want to learn more about BSAP, check out Travel Courier’s recent special feature on the 2017 Ambassadors.
And check out these photos from the 2017 BSAP Awards lunch:
Remarkable mentors… Susan Webb, President, VoX; Tracy Ford, Director of Public Relations, Chelsea Hotel, Toronto; Wendy McClung, Executive VP, Operations, Baxter Travel Media
Ready for the future… Martha MacEachern, Professor, Georgian College; Jacquiline Dymytryshyn, Baxter Ambassador, Georgian College
Here’s a terrific trio… Jenni Berg, National Business Development Executive, Contiki; Julie Cain, Baxter Ambassador, Fleming College; Patti Watson, Program Coordinator, Fleming College
They couldn’t be happier… Kevin Smith, Program Coordinator, Humber College; Dhvani Gandhi, Baxter Ambassador, Humber College; Julie Zomparelli, Program Coordinator & Professor Tourism Management, Humber College
Committed to excellence… Dan Prior, Sales Manager for Ontario & Atlantic Canada, Transat (accepting on behalf of Alina Doaga, Baxter Ambassador, British Columbia Institute of Technology)
Shining stars, one and all… Ellen Melman, Director Operations & Marketing,Travel Industry, Clergy & Community Liaison, Israel Ministry of Tourism; Kevin Smith, Program Coordinator, Humber College; Dhvani Gandhi, Baxter Ambassador, Humber College; Jacquiline Dymytryshyn, Baxter Ambassador, Georgian College; Seija McKay, Baxter Ambassador, Confederation College; Jerry Adler, Director for Canada, Israel Ministry of Tourism; Giannina Veltri, Program Coordinator, Confederation College; Martha MacEachern, Professor, Georgian College
Definitely a dynamic duo… Giannina Veltri, Program Coordinator, Confederation College; Seija McKay, Baxter Ambassador, Confederation College
A reason to smile… Andrea Dixon, Professor, Algonquin College; Curtis Brown, Baxter Ambassador, Algonquin College; Nalinie Sharma, Marketing Manager, Collette
They’re so excited… Sean Price, Professor, Seneca College; Dave Cecco, Director of Product, WestJet Vacations; Jessica Turda, Baxter Ambassador, Seneca College; Jenny Kim, Baxter Ambassador, Sheridan College; Roger Halfacre, Professor, Sheridan College