Canadian travel professionals are gearing up for a major opportunity this autumn: the 2025 edition of the Granite Travel Trade Expos. Running from October 20 to 23, the four-city circuit will bring together travel agents and advisors with leading destination marketers, hotel and resort representatives, cruise lines and experiential-travel specialists. The chosen cities—Winnipeg (October 20), Red Deer (October 21), Kelowna (October 22) and Abbotsford (October 23)—cover key travel-industry hubs in Western Canada and are designed to give agents direct access to supplier contacts in more focused, regional gatherings.
A Tailored Event for Travel Professionals
This year’s expos are intentionally structured to cater to the business needs of travel agents. Rather than large-scale convention theatres, the format emphasises one-on-one meetings, breakout sessions and networking receptions. Attendees will engage face-to-face with suppliers who represent destinations, hotel brands, tour operators and cruise lines around the world. Historically the Granite series has enjoyed high participation and positive feedback from agents who cite the depth of contact and the quality of leads as major benefits. With registration free and organisers capping numbers to preserve value, the event promises both intimacy and productivity.
Why the Four-City Western Canada Circuit?
By selecting Winnipeg, Red Deer, Kelowna and Abbotsford, the organisers have mapped a strategic route through Canada’s western travel markets. Winnipeg’s inclusion taps into the prairie-province base of central Canada. Red Deer bridges the hub between Calgary and Edmonton and reaches out to Alberta’s travel network. Kelowna, in British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley, presents a strong leisure market with its resort- and wine-tourism orientation. Finally Abbotsford, in the Fraser Valley near Vancouver, connects agents to a key gateway region. This approach allows suppliers and agents to gather in cities other than the usual major metros, adding regional access and localised relevance.
What’s On The Agenda
Agents attending the Granite Travel Trade Expos can expect:
- One-on-one sessions scheduled so that each attendee meets multiple suppliers in a structured format.
- Supplier showcase booths where hotel chains, resort groups, destination boards, cruise operators and tour companies present their products and offers.
- Educational segments featuring short presentations from suppliers or industry experts covering trends, emerging destinations and new product launches.
- Networking receptions giving agents and suppliers informal time to build relationships, exchange contact information and discuss collaboration.
- Prizes and incentives as added value — past editions have offered early-bird cards, gift-cards and promotional draw prizes for participants.
Why Travel Agents Should Attend
For an agent seeking to diversify their product offering in 2026 and beyond, attending the Granite Expos delivers multiple benefits:
- Direct contact with global suppliers in a compact, high-density setting.
- Access to new destinations and niche travel experiences that agents can offer their clients.
- A chance to build stronger relationships with hotel- and resort-representatives, often leading to better commission structures and early access to preferred inventory.
- A learning opportunity via educational components that highlight upcoming travel trends, product opportunities or regional specialisms.
- A networking platform that fosters peer connections, enabling agents to exchange ideas, referrals or group-booking strategies.
Impact on the Travel Industry
Such expos serve a dual role: they elevate agents’ product knowledge and strengthen the behind-the-scenes collaboration between suppliers and advisors. As travel resumes and consumer demand becomes more differentiated, agents who can offer unique destinations, tailored experiences and strong supplier relationships stand to gain competitive advantage. The Granite Trade Expos thus help fuel the growth of Canada’s travel-trade ecosystem and support the broader aim of innovation in the sector.
Practical Details for Attendees
- Registration: Agents should register early to secure their spot — spaces are limited in each city to maintain the one-on-one format.
- City choice: Pick the city that’s most convenient or relevant to your market focus. Some agents may attend multiple locations to maximise exposure.
- Prepare: Bring business cards, be ready to discuss your niche and client base, and prepare questions for suppliers: what’s new, what’s exclusive, what’s commissionable.
- Follow-up: After the show, allocate time to review supplier contacts, test new product offers and update your marketing collateral to reflect fresh partnerships.
- Stay informed: Keep an eye on partner announcements or extra events within the expo (such as preview dinners or training sessions) that may require advance booking.
Broader Travel-Trade Context
This fall’s expos mark another chapter in what has become from the mid-2020s onwards a strong push toward industry-led professional development in travel. With digital booking platforms proliferating and consumers demanding more curated and experiential travel, advisors need to keep pace. Trade shows and expos such as the Granite event help bridge the gap between agents and suppliers, enabling stronger value-add for customers. In a market where differentiation matters, the value of face-to-face meetings cannot be overstated.
Final Thoughts
For Canadian travel agents seeking growth, networking and product innovation, the Granite Travel Trade Expos 2025 represent a must-attend event. From October 20 to 23, the circuit across Winnipeg, Red Deer, Kelowna and Abbotsford presents a refined, results-oriented environment where agents can meet suppliers, learn about upcoming destinations and position themselves strategically for 2026. In an era of rapid change in the travel sector, the opportunity to connect in person, explore new offerings and deepen industry relationships has never been more valuable. Be prepared, be proactive, and the insights gained at these expos can translate into stronger client propositions and a competitive edge in an evolving marketplace.
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