Always on the go, training travel agents
A weekly profile of one of Hamilton’s growing number of young professionals
Name: Amanda Pezzaniti Age: 29 Position: Business development manager
Job description: Work for a tour company called Exodus Travels, managing their travel agent accounts throughout Eastern Canada and the United States. I travel all around Canada to ensure they are trained well enough to sell the travel products and answer any client questions. I am also lucky enough to have the chance to travel on these holidays around the world and get the full experience to share with and inspire my agents.
Is this the job you thought you’d be doing?
No! I took the tourism and travel program as a prerequisite to get into the public relations program in Niagara. I wanted to make the most out of my PR education and not just settle for a job in travel. My first job was supposed to just be a placeholder position until I got into PR but has ended up as my career. Now I never dread Monday. I genuinely love my job and the industry.
Advice to others on launching a career:
I think that starting in an agency is ideal. You get a really great understanding of the industry as a whole and have the chance to make some great connections. From my time at an agency, I learned what angle of the industry interested me most (tour operator) and moved on in this direction. There are so many great positions in travel, don’t settle until you have found something, somewhere that makes you truly happy.
Roots: I was born in Hamilton and have lived here most of my life. I have had a few blips where I lived in Niagara, Toronto and London, the U.K. — but have again boomeranged back to Hamilton.
Facebook status: Begging for help with Adobe for editing my website. Facebook always has the answers.
Twitter handle: Twitter and I are not friends.
iPhone, Android or BB? iPhone (iMessage is key when travelling abroad.)
Recent Tweet or FB update: a #tbt from one of my favourite Christmas markets in London, uk
Networks: YTP (Young Travel Professionals), Travel Massive
Favourite restaurant in the downtown: LOVE the Aberdeen Tavern.
Best feature of life in Hamilton: A great mix of city life along with extensive walking paths and waterfalls. They are my favourite things to seek out in the summer with a picnic and some friends.
What would make Hamilton a better city: It is moving in this direction, but needs more locallyowned businesses. They add so much character to a city and have so much to offer.