The CITC held its 6th annual Vancouver Student Conference on Feb. 8 at Simon Fraser University’s downtown campus, attracting 70 students and educators from travel programs in the Greater Vancouver Area. Sessions included the “Top Ten Reasons to be in Travel Right Now” (delivered by Dr. Marc Mancini) and “What’s it like in the Real World” led by Lisa Elliott, reservations manager at Collette Vacations. Darren Single, vice-president of Travel Services at Odenza Vacations offered down-to-earth counsel and advice, not only about working in the industry, but also in applying for positions in travel. Three suppliers gave snapshots of their organizations, including information on careers — Cynthia Connell of G Adventures, Kim Gould of Transat and Sue Vogle and Raelene Kaiser of Maritime Travel. Keynote speaker was Marsha Steeves, president and principal planner, Destination Wedding Travel. CITC president Steve Gillick spoke on “The Higher Ground,” provoking ideas to the students, not only as to how to make the most out of a travel career, but also to the enhanced community and even global role they can undertake as travel professionals. Grand prizes winners at the event included Katherine Tang of Canadian Tourism College who won a flight for two in Western Canada from Westjet. Gabriela Castillo of Canadian Tourism College, who won a $500 travel voucher from G Adventures. and Vincent Hoang of Canadian Tourism College who won a $300 travel voucher from Odenza Vacations. Pictured, Gillick congratulates Castillo.