Canadian Travel Advisors Win Exclusive Utah FAM Experience Following Successful Specialist Academy Incentive

July 3, 2026 — The Utah Office of Tourism is pleased to announce the four Canadian travel advisors selected to participate in an exclusive Utah familiarization (FAM) trip following the successful completion of its 2026 Utah Specialist Academy incentive program.

Launched alongside the enhanced Utah Specialist Academy 2.0, the incentive campaign encouraged Canadian travel advisors to deepen their knowledge of the destination while rewarding their commitment to selling Utah. Running from April 21 through June 15, 2026, the program attracted strong participation from travel advisors across Canada who completed the updated specialist training for the opportunity to earn a place on an immersive educational journey through the state.

The four winning advisors are:

•    Cathy Palmeria, Uniglobe Carefree Travel

•    Melissa Matheson, Goway Travel

•    Shane Shudra, AMA Travel

•    Carrie McNallie, Travel Agent Next Door

The winners will travel to Utah from December 2–10, 2026, where they will experience many of the state's iconic landscapes, outdoor adventures, vibrant communities, and unique tourism experiences firsthand. The immersive itinerary has been designed to equip advisors with valuable product knowledge and authentic experiences that will help them confidently inspire and sell Utah vacations to their clients.

"We're thrilled to congratulate Cathy, Melissa, Shane, and Carrie on being selected for this incredible opportunity," said Corey Marshall, Account Director for the Utah Office of Tourism. "The response to the Utah Specialist Academy 2.0 incentive exceeded our expectations, demonstrating the enthusiasm Canadian travel advisors have for expanding their knowledge of Utah. Experiencing the destination firsthand is one of the most effective ways to build confidence in selling, and we look forward to welcoming these outstanding advisors to Utah later this year."

The Utah Specialist Academy 2.0 continues to provide Canadian travel advisors with the tools, knowledge, and resources needed to confidently recommend Utah's world-renowned national parks, scenic byways, outdoor recreation, and year-round experiences.

The Utah Office of Tourism extends its congratulations to this year's winners and thanks all Canadian travel advisors who participated in the incentive program and continue to champion Utah as a premier travel destination.

Become a Certified Utah Specialist:

Complete the newly enhanced Utah Specialist Academy 2.0 and deepen your destination knowledge — sign up now at visitutahspecialistacademy.com.

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