Our Team
Elaine Carnegie (President)
Elaine established Canlink Travel Representatives in 1994 after 11 years of experience in retail travel. Her career began as a retail travel agent in Toronto, where, between 1983 and 1990, she gained valuable experience and insight into the travel industry counseling individual clients and corporations on both leisure and business travel while learning the intricacies of the retail travel business.
In 1990 Elaine joined one of Canada’s largest travel companies and took over management of the country’s largest branch. During her 4 years in this role Elaine nurtured her skills while spearheading unique sales and marketing initiatives, training programs and various corporate and consumer events. These initiatives where key in securing new corporate and leisure business while building on existing relationships which resulted in substantial increases in sales and profits.
In 1994 Elaine made the decision to branch out on her own at which time she established Canlink Travel Representatives. The new company was an immediate success as offshore hotels and resorts recognized the need for local cost effective representation in Canada. The name “Canlink” was chosen to illustrate the essential “link” provided by the company between their clients and the Canadian Travel Industry as well as the travelling public.
For almost 20 years, Elaine’s company has managed relationships within the Canadian Travel Industry on behalf of her clients. Elaine has developed close relationships throughout all areas of the industry in both the consumer and corporate sectors. She has a vast knowledge of the group and incentive market and works closely with meeting planners and incentive houses. She has also built strong relationships with the Canadian tour operators and the retail travel sector.
Elaine’s knowledge of the hotel and resort industry, along with her experience in the Canadian travel market, make the perfect combination for any hotel or resort looking to increase sales and awareness from the Canadian market or any retailer or consumer looking for information on some of the travel industries best resort, destinations and services.
Brent Carnegie (Vice President)
A graduate of Ryerson University and Humber College’s Hospitality, Recreation and Tourism program, Brent began his career in London, England as a corporate travel counsellor at one of the country’s largest corporate travel agencies.
Upon returning to Canada in 1984, Brent joined Thomson Vacations, then, one of the country’s largest tour operators. While at Thomson he held various positions within the reservations and sales departments before moving into product. As a product buyer, Brent worked closely with hotels and resorts throughout the Caribbean.
Brent joined one of the country’s leading retail travel agencies in 1990 as Ontario Marketing Manager. While at Marlin Travel his responsibilities included the development of overall marketing strategies for the various branches of the company throughout the province.
In 1992 Brent decided to return to tour operating and joined Alba Tours as their Sales Manager. In 1994 he was promoted to Vice President of Sales and became responsible for all sales activities on a national basis.
Alba Tours was purchased by Sunquest Vacations in 1997 making the combined company the largest tour operator in Canada. Brent stayed on as Vice President of Sales for both Sunquest and Alba.
In 1999 Brent joined Conquest Vacations where he served as Vice President of Sales, Marketing and Distribution for the next 10 years. During this time he oversaw the rebranding of the company while being responsible for all aspects of sales, marketing and overall positioning of the company.
In 2010, Brent made the decision to join Elaine at Canlink. Now, as Vice President, Brent and Elaine work closely on all aspects of the day to day operation of the company. Brent’s spends much of his time on the sales and marketing side of the company and works very closely with the media and press to ensure all of Canlink’s clients receive the most exposure possible. Brent’s relationships throughout the Canadian travel industry are a definite asset when connecting Canlink’s clients with the people they need to know.
Linda Dinelle (Senior Account Executive)
Linda joined Canlink as Senior Account Executive in 2004 following a successful career in the Canadian fashion industry. As a buyer at a leading fashion retailer in Canada, Linda gained a wealth of experience not only in buying for and managing various departments but in marketing and planning special events.
Following her buying career, Linda accepted a position as sales executive for a leading Canadian fashion design firm. Dealing with some of Canada’s largest fashion retailers, Linda showed an adept ability to customize programs to fit the client’s needs ensuring that the customer was always happy. It is here that Linda had the opportunity to perfect her presentation skills which are a definite asset to her current position at Canlink.
Linda displays a passion for the clients that we represent. In addition to personal travel to various islands in the Caribbean, Linda has extensive knowledge about all of the properties that are part of the Canlink portfolio. She works closely with all of our clients and is involved in many of the day to day operations of the company in relationship to the clients we represent such as group/incentive proposals/contracts, tour operator relationships, marketing etc.
Her integrity, resourcefulness and strong attention to detail are just some of the traits that ensure our clients receive the information that is most important to them and that our accounts are represented with the utmost professionalism.