The 2025 Helloworld Travel Owner Managers Conference (OMC) has wrapped up in Vancouver, bringing together Helloworld Travel owner managers from Australia and New Zealand, alongside preferred partners, special guests, and Helloworld senior executives for three days of conferencing, networking and celebration.
With the theme ‘Travel Agents – The Essential Ingredient’ woven throughout the agenda, the event kicked off with a lively welcome night in the JW Marriott Parq Vancouver’s Grand Ballroom. Over 400 delegates gathered to enjoy a Northern Lights-themed evening, sampling Canadian delicacies like poutine. Destination Canada President and CEO Marsha Walden was on hand to welcome everyone to Canada and set the tone for the days ahead.
Helloworld Travel CEO and Managing Director Andrew Burnes AO officially opened the conference, sharing updates on market and brand research, new technology initiatives, and insights into the future direction of the business. He expressed his gratitude to everyone for making the journey to Canada for the special conference.
Friday night’s festivities saw BC Place stadium transformed into a sea of red and white, the colours of Canada, with guests given Canadian sporting scarves on arrival and a surprise appearance on the jumbo screen as they entered the venue. The impressive 360-degree LED display proudly showcased the Helloworld brand logo, setting the scene for a memorable night of fun.
Saturday’s agenda included more business insights from senior Helloworld executives, as well as plenty of opportunities to connect with preferred partners in bustling networking lounges. Delegates enjoyed a range of treats, from coffee and ice cream to bloody Caesars, and could try their luck with spin-the-wheel games, giveaways and impressive prizes.
The Vancouver and Air Canada booths proved particularly popular thanks to their adorable four-legged guests—therapy dogs from Vancouver Airport—who offered cuddles and plenty of smiles. Among the big-ticket prizes up for grabs were a luxury $100,000 Arctic cruise with Ponant, business class flights, international trips, luggage and more.
MC Anthony ‘Lehmo’ Lehmann kept the energy high throughout, guiding delegates through days and nights filled with events, discussions and entertainment.
To wrap up the conference, Andrew Burnes AO announced that the 2026 OMC will be held in Cairns from 11 to 14 June, in partnership with Tourism and Events Queensland. The final evening saw delegates gather for a glamorous gala dinner at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver, sponsored by Air Canada, featuring a ten-piece band and dancefloor to send off the 2025 OMC in style.
Delegates also enjoyed pre and post-conference famils to explore the best of the region, including tours of Vancouver, trips on the iconic Rocky Mountaineer, luxury stays at Fairmont Hotels, and wilderness adventures at Sonora Resort, Knight Inlet Lodge and Klahoose Wilderness Resort. Other experiences included Scenic’s Victoria Famil, Colette’s Canadian Adventure, Alaska to Vancouver cruises with Holland America Line and Hurtigruten, Inside Passage sailings with Princess Cruises and a Canadian adventure with Adventure World.
Helloworld Travel thanked partners Destination Canada, Destination British Columbia, Destination Vancouver, Air Canada and United Airlines for their support in making the 2025 Helloworld Travel OMC a success and a true showcase of Canada.
