[L.A.T.A. Canada]


How we can help you: services and destinations

Toronto-based LATA is comprised of a true cross-section of the tourist trade in Canada and Latin countries. Among our members are Tourist Boards, Cruiselines, Tour Operators, Travel Agents, Meeting Planners, Consulates and Embassies, and a host of others who know Latin America inside-out.

Collectively, we have decades of experience working in Latin American tourism. LATA founder Reggie Kieda owned a tour operator based in Toronto for 15 years that largely specialized in Latin America. Selling her company freed up time for her to launch this new project, enabling her to continue to be fully involved in the tourist trade of a region she has criss-crossed many times - journeys which led her to such exotic locales as Cusco, Peru, the onetime Inca capital; glorious Rio de Janeiro; and unspoiled and rugged Patagonia.

LATA es una organización basada en Toronto y esta considerada como un parte aguas en beneficio del intercambio comercial-turístico entre Canadá y países Latinoamericanos. Entre nuestros miembros hay oficinas de promoción turística, empresas de cruceros, tour operadores, agentes de viajes, planeadores de eventos, empleados en consulados y embajadas, es decir un universo de personas familiarizadas con Latinoamérica.

Colectivamente, tenemos décadas de experiencia trabajando en Latinoamérica. La fundadora de LATA Reggie Kieda ha conducido su propia compañía basada en Toronto, especializada en Latinoamérica. Al vender su compañía, libero tiempo para lanzar este nuevo proyecto, con el objeto de seguir involucrada en el comercio turístico de una región en la que ha permanecido por un largo periodo de tiempo. Su desarrollo profesional en el sector de los viajes le han hecho llegar a exóticos lugares como Cuzco, Perú, la entonces capital inca, el glorioso Río de Janeiro, y la intocable [Register now!]Patagonia la cual representa una pasión para ella.

Get to know us...
[Reggie] Reggie A. Kieda
President

Reggie graduated with a degree in Business/Travel Industry Administration from Seneca College in 1982. Her 22 years of sales/marketing and business experience has spanned both the retail and wholesale areas of travel, as well as joint marketing and sales efforts with Tourist and Convention Bureaus on 4 continents.

For the last 15 years, Reggie has been devoted to running her own company, Obsession Tours, specializing in tour packages to South and Central America, Mexico, over 40 states in the USA, Europe and Southern Africa. Reggie sold her interest in Obsession Tours in June 2002.

Over her career she has worked with every aspect of the travel industry including hotels & resorts, ground transportation, visitors and convention bureaus, travel agencies, airlines, attractions, tour operators, destination management companies and cruise lines.

Reggie is an active member of SKAL, T-MAC, and AIMS. She has also played an integral role on many consumer and trade campaigns including Sensational Africa, Latino and European Obsessions.

In her free time, Reggie loves to read, listen and dance to Latin Music, travel the world and play a frequent round of golf. Reggie is fluent in English and Spanish and has a working knowledge of Portuguese and French. (Email Reggie)


[Martin] Martin Jeffery
SVP Marketing

Martin received his MBA in Marketing from McGill University (Montreal) in 1978 and was on the Dean's Honour Role. His 26 years of marketing & specialized communications experience has spanned both the agency & client side. On the agency side he was Director of Loyalty Marketing at Carlson Marketing and Director Promotion & Direct Marketing at Chiat/Day Advertising. On the client side Martin was Associate Marketing Manager at Lever Detergents, Assistant General Manager, Retail Marketing at CIBC and Vice President, Retail Marketing at ScotiaBank.

Taking an active interest in Internet marketing, Martin has been instrumental in bringing new technology products to the market. Most recently, he introduced two new sales force presentation products called ENTERPRISEpoint and the Living Brochure. He has also implemented many email campaigns for his clients on a turnkey basis handling creative, list management and deployment.

As an active member of the CMA (Canadian Marketing Association) over the past 16 years, Martin has contributed a great deal of volunteer work. He serves on the Executive Committee of the eMarketing Council and has been a Senior Judge at the CMA's RSVP Direct Marketing Awards several times. Martin also serves on the Board of Directors of AIMS (Association of Internet Marketing & Sales). (Email Martin)


[Chris] Christine Z. Adelhardt
CMP

Christine has a corporate background in management consulting, hospitality, and real estate. With marketing and networking expertise, she is resourceful and well connected, successfully achieving event goals while maximizing corporate dollars. By asking meaningful questions, Christine helps her clients develop and communicate a compelling vision to their corporate team. Passion for her work, integrity in relationships and her sense of fun allows clients the opportunity to enjoy the event planning process. Let her make a real difference to your next event.

Christine is a member of Meeting Planners International, Independent Meeting Planners Association of Canada and a Past Most Loyal Gander of the Honorable Order of the Blue Goose International. A Certified Meeting Professional since 1992, Christine has continued her professional development by attending educational conferences and traveling extensively. (Email Chris)


[May] May Givens

May was born in Scotland and has lived and travelled extensively in England, Belgium, France, Italy, Brazil, Argentina, Bolivia, Colombia, Venezuela, Guatemala, Panama, Chile, Bonaire, Texas, to name a few.

She was Regional Manager, Eastern Canada for LACSA Airlines (airline of Costa Rica in Toronto).  She also worked for GRUPO TACA as Events co-ordinator. May was the General Manager of the South and Central American Information Centre,  based in Toronto for many years.

Her work experience also includes Manager, Eastern Canada of Travel Representations, Toronto and IATA  in Montreal. She is presently a Board Member of TRAVEL MEDIA ASSOCIATION OF CANADA and CHIMO, Executive Women in Travel. (Email May)