Transat Distribution Canada Previews Keynote, Themes For 2025 Conferences

Transat Distribution Canada (TDC), has announced the identity of its keynote speaker as well as the theme of its upcoming annual conferences. The Greater Toronto Area edition will be held on September 20 and 21, right after the Quebec edition scheduled for September 13 and 14 at the Saint-Hyacinthe Convention Centre. 

“This year, we are taking the powerful symbol of the star to new heights,” says Karine Gagnon, General Manager of TDC. 

“Our travel professionals embody this symbol, acting as guiding stars for their clients, helping them navigate a vast sky of choices with expertise and a touch of inspiration.” She adds, “This theme resonates even more deeply with us, as the star has always been part of TDC’s DNA through our affiliation with Transat.”

Keynote Speaker is a Space Star

This year, as part of a one-on-one conversation with TDC General Manager Karine Gagnon, the group will welcome renowned NASA engineer Farah Alibay, who will share the story of how she successfully secured her dream job.

“It is a great honour for TDC to welcome such a distinguished scientist, and I can’t wait to hear the story of this inspiring woman with an atypical background. And who better than a NASA engineer and space explorer to bring us closer to the stars?” Gagnon said. 

The Power of Perseverance

Born in Montreal to parents originally from Madagascar, Alibay grew up in a small town north of the city before pursuing her studies at Cambridge University in the UK and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Boston. She joined NASA in 2014 and became widely known in 2022 for her pivotal role in deploying the Perseverance rover on Mars. 

 “It almost seems like destiny that she piloted a machine to explore the red planet — sharing its name with one of her defining qualities: perseverance. Nothing in her career was handed to her. As a racialized woman in a competitive field, she overcame failures and obstacles to rise through the ranks and achieve her dream: becoming an engineer at NASA. If there is one way to truly embrace your own ‘star power,’ it is by drawing inspiration from extraordinary individuals like Farah Alibay,” Gagnon stated.

Other speakers and various workshops will make up the rest of the flagship TDC conference schedule, with more announcements coming in future weeks.

Preferred Partners: Present & Engaged 

Gagnon highlights the invaluable role that TDC’s preferred partners play in this annual event, providing network members with unparalleled access to product specialists. 

“Our partners contribute in so many ways—most notably through their in-person presence, which allows our members to engage with them directly, as well as through their content contributions that support business development,” Gagnon said. 

The TDC leader added: “Hosting an event of this scale without the support of Transat — by far our most important business partner — would be unthinkable. I would even go so far as to say that the bond we share is essential.”