Christine James to Step Down From Travel Leaders Network
The long-time Vice President for Canada will officially conclude her 27-year tenure with the organization on October 30, 2026.
Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Canada
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Christine James, who has served as Vice President for Canada at Travel Leaders Network for over 20 years, will step down from her role on October 30, 2026. Her departure coincides with the launch of a new two-day ELEVATE conference series designed to bolster engagement for Canadian travel advisors.
Why it matters
The new ELEVATE conference format provides an alternative for Canadian members who have expressed reluctance to travel to the United States for the company's traditional bi-national EDGE events. This change aims to improve accessibility and provide more time for professional development and supplier interaction within Canada.
The new two-day ELEVATE conference series is being held at the Hilton Vancouver Metrotown and the Pearson Convention Centre in Brampton. Approximately 250 travel advisors are expected to attend the Toronto event, following the Vancouver session which hosted 170 attendees.
The players
Christine James
She has served as the Vice President for Canada at Travel Leaders Network for over two decades and began her career at the organization's predecessor, Vacation.com, in 1999.
Travel Leaders Network
This is a large travel agency organization that provides support, marketing, and professional development resources to independent travel advisors across North America.
The details
The ELEVATE series replaces two former single-day autumn events in western Canada to offer more comprehensive content. While 88 Canadian members have registered for the upcoming EDGE conference in Cancun, Mexico, the regional events focus on domestic networking, with 55 suppliers participating in Vancouver and 80 in Toronto.
Timeline
October 20, 2026: ELEVATE Canada sessions were held in Vancouver.
October 28-29, 2026: ELEVATE Canada events took place at the Pearson Convention Centre in Brampton.
October 30, 2026: Christine James will officially step down from her position.
May 2027: The EDGE conference is scheduled to be held in Cancun, Mexico.
Travel Outlook
The introduction of the regional ELEVATE series signals a shift in how the organization balances local member needs against the scale of its traditional EDGE conference. This move reflects a strategic effort to maintain high member engagement by addressing preferences regarding cross-border travel.
Canadian travel advisors can expect more localized networking opportunities through the new two-day format that replaces the previous single-day schedule. Those planning to attend international events should track registration updates for the upcoming conference in Mexico.
The takeaway
The transition in leadership and regional event structure highlights the importance of maintaining direct, accessible support for industry professionals. Advisors should monitor internal communications to see how these organizational changes may affect future professional development opportunities.
What happens next
The next major industry gathering, the EDGE conference, is scheduled to take place in May 2027 in Cancun, Mexico.
Further reading
For more information on the latest updates in the industry, visit the Canada section.
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