CONFERENCE SCENE
COLLETTE CELEBRATES A CENTURY IN TRAVEL EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT JACLYN LEIBL-COTE CUTS THE ANNIVERSARY CAKE SURROUNDED BY OTHER SULLLIVAN FAMILY MEMBERS.
A COLLETTE GROUP ON TOUR IN 1968
Collette, one of the best-known travel brands in America, takes a few days each year to host a trip with its Presidents Club members as a reward for their loyalty. Typically, the company introduces a featured destination, like Ireland or, in 2019, a European river cruise. This year, for its 100th anniversary, Collette showcased its home in Providence and Pawtucket, Rhode Island, and Joe Cappuzzello and I went as guests. President and CEO Dan Sullivan Jr. was there for most events, including a tour of the company’s sprawling headquarters in Pawtucket, where 353 employees of its 607-member workforce have their offices. Collette was founded by Jack Collette, who owned it from 1918 until 1962, when he sold it to Dan Sullivan Sr. The Sullivan family has owned and run the company ever since. Sullivan family members have always held key positions in management of the company, but there are nonfamily executives as well, people like executive vice president Paula Twidale, who just completed two years as chair of the United States Tour Operators Association, and Bob Colucci, who presented Collette’s financial information as its executive vice president and CFO. I was impressed by the nature of the content Collette offered the clients on the trip. It became apparent early on that this gathering was more than a sales seminar. Presentations included in-depth discussions of Collette’s approach to technology, financial accountability, airline relationships and social responsibility. Collette treated these guests like industry partners, not order takers. Twidale led off by asking attendees, “Who is chipping away at your business? You must realize that Google, Priceline and Expedia have become competitors of yours.” Then she exhorted them to be bold.
PRESIDENT AND CEO DAN SULLIVAN, JR. SHARES A LAUGH WITH PRESIDENT’S CLUB MEMBERS.
A CONTEMPORARY COLLETTE GROUP ENJOYS A TRIP TO BOTSWANA. Courtesy NTA
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GROUP T HE
TRAVEL LE ADER
B Y M AC L AC Y
Photos courtesy Collette
JUNE 2018
