Charles Sylvia, ECC
VP, Industry & Trade Relations
Charles Sylvia, ECC is Vice President of Industry and Trade Relations with Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA). Charles has been an active CLIA member since 1994, when he embarked on his career in cruise sales and marketing as a front-line travel agent at a brick-and-mortar agency in his hometown near Cape Cod, Massachusetts. In his role at CLIA, Charles advocates for the interests of CLIA’s North America Travel Trade Membership, comprised of more than 56,100 travel agency owners and agents, and he serves as primary liaison for the CLIA Strategic Trade Advisory and Review Board (STARBoard) and the CLIA Trade Relations Committee.
Allan Brooks
National Director - Market Sales, Canada
Allan Brooks is proudly celebrating his 23rd year with the Royal Caribbean Group – 8 years with Celebrity Cruises. After spending 14 years at sea as a Cruise Director, Allan joined the shore side entertainment team and continues to have strong ties to the sea through the fleet of Celebrity Ships. Allan has now been on the sales team for 6 years and was thrilled at the opportunity to return to Canada in his current role as National Director of Market Sales. Allan leads a powerhouse team of Sales Managers that support a loyal and dedicated group of travel partners across Canada. After being the product, managing the product and now selling the product, Allan has developed a comprehensive insight of the cruise business as whole.
Sandra Pennington
Field Sales Manager - Southern Ontario
Sandra Pennington has been in the cruise industry for a span of over 25 years. She has worked onboard ship for 9 years, was a travel agent/Cruise office Manager for 6 years and a Cruise Development Manager for a large company for 5 years. Sandra just celebrated her 7thyear with Celebrity Cruises by taking her bucket list trip to the Galapagos onboard the Celebrity Flora.
Laura Di Nardo
Field Sales Manager - Eastern Ontario
Laura Di Nardo is a new member of the Celebrity Cruises Canada team, but has been working in the travel industry for close to 10 years. Laura is passionate about travel, and cruising, and can’t wait to travel onboard each of Celebrity’s ships. Laura hopes to discover the Galapagos & Alaska with Celebrity soon!
Chad Kowalenko
Field Sales Manager - Western Canada
Chad Kowalenko is a 26-year veteran of the Travel Industry in Canada based in Vancouver, BC. Over the years Chad has had several key roles in business development for retail travel and has represented brands like Contiki Tours, AIG Travel Guard, Azamara Cruises, Royal Caribbean International & Celebrity Cruises. His favourite part of his job is working with businesses (both small and large) to find creative ways to help them up their game and grow their overall business.
Brenda Yeomans
Key Account Manager - Canada
Brenda has grown up in the Cruise industry for the past 38 years, so you can easily call her a seasoned industry veteran. Brenda is responsible for creating new and innovative marketing strategies with our Travel Partners across Canada. She shares her passion and enthusiasm for cruising, promoting Celebrity’s 15 New Luxury Cruise ships, with our Travel Partners and future Cruise Vacationers. Born and raised in Regina, Saskatchewan, Brenda has travelled the world, calling places like Sydney Australia, St. Tropez, France, Florence, Italy, Miami, Florida and Calgary AB. home. She currently resides in Oakville, Ontario with her 2 children.
Mathieu Robert
Field Sales Manager - Quebec & Atlantic Canada
Mathieu Robert has been in the cruise industry for 11 years. He worked as a travel agent specialized in cruises for several years while completing his bachelor’s degree in Tourism management at ESG Montréal. He then worked as a Cruise department Manager in a large agency for 5 years and was managing over 100 cruise groups. After 4 years with Celebrity, Mathieu recently won the best sales manager award at the 2022 Quebec Travel agent association gala.