The Originals: TTAND Honours Miron, Galbraith & Wykes

At its VIP Supplier Event earlier this month, TTAND Founder and CEO Flemming Friisdahl presented appreciation awards to three individuals who have assisted the company since before it even opened its doors eleven years ago.

Friisdahl presented Brad Miron, Dan Galbraith and Jill Wykes with awards at the event.

“Having worked with Dan since I was in my late 20s, (so a few days ago) I am so happy that he jumped on board with TTAND when we started together, along with his amazing wife Penny Martin. Dan truly is a master of AV and Videography and of course, photography, “ said Friisdahl. “What he does from conferences, to the VIP event, to the annual road shows across Canada makes a difference and he is so appreciated by our suppliers.

Friisdahl said that Brad Miron, a well-known travel industry marketing guru, came up with the company name – The Travel Agent Next Door – and its distinctive logo. 

“It was 100% Brad that came up with the name and the logo. He did the big reveal in his home in Guelph, I had Rhonda on What’s App and we both said it unfolded right there in front of us,” Friisdahl said. “Since then, Brad introduced me to Raj Gautam, our CIO and if not for that introduction TTAND would not have the technology it has today.”

Friisdahl said that many people today may not know that he and Jill became colleagues when Sunquest purchased The Holiday Network (formally Nordic Tours, Network and Holiday House).

“Jill was senior VP Sales at the time and I had the opportunity to learn many things from Jill. She has just done such an amazing job in making sure that TTAND is always in the press with her informative articles in the trade press that receive some of the highest readership. I have been very, very fortunate to have had Jill as part of TTAND since the start.”

Galbraith said of his years supporting TTAND: “It still amazes me that a conversation at a dining room table grew into the thriving company TTAND has become. Being able to document that story—its people, its progress, and its passion — through photos and video for the past decade has been an honour.”

Miron agrees: “I was deeply honoured when Flemming asked me to create the company name and branding. Working with the TTAND team for more than 10 years on strategies and initiatives has been an absolute joy — and it’s been inspiring to be part of such an extraordinary success story.”

Wykes said that working alongside Flemming and his team at TTAND has been incredibly rewarding. “When I left corporate life, I had the opportunity to work on a number of startups — but TTAND has been the most exciting by far.  To see it grow from a few agents to now over 1,500 and retain its family values is nothing short of amazing.  I feel so fortunate to have been a small part of it.”