Hi, I’m Renee Charbonneau — better known in motorcycle and travel circles as Belt Drive Betty. I’m a Certified Travel Agent based in Grande Prairie, Alberta. I’m here to make your travel life easier, smarter, and a whole lot more adventurous.
I earned my Certified Travel Agent designation through The Travel Agent Next Door and CMTA Travel Services. In truth, I’ve been living, breathing, and planning travel my entire adult life. I’ve spent more than 30 years riding motorcycles across Canada and beyond. That riding life built real destination knowledge, genuine route expertise, and hard-won “what can go wrong” experience. No booking algorithm can replicate that.
Why Work With a Travel Agent?
Booking apps promise the “best price.” However, a real travel agent picks up the phone when your flight gets cancelled. I know which resorts actually deliver on their photos. When plans go sideways, my contacts fix things. I don’t just book trips — I advocate for you before, during, and after your travel.
Whether you’re planning a bucket-list motorcycle tour through the Canadian Rockies, a sun vacation for the whole family, or a complicated multi-destination itinerary, I bring the same thing every time: straight talk, thorough research, and genuine follow-through.
More Than Just Travel
My background runs deep in heritage, community, and leadership. I serve as Executive Director of the Canadian Motorcycle Tourism Association (CMTA) and the Canadian Indigenous MotoTourism Association (CIMTA). In addition, I serve as Executive Director and Collections Manager for the Veterans Memorial Gardens & Interpretive Centre in Grande Prairie.
I created Beading a Soldier’s Story — an award-winning, Indigenous-led heritage education program. In December 2025, the program earned national recognition. I’ve spent years building partnerships, writing grants, and delivering community programs across Northwestern Alberta. When I say I know how to get things done, I have receipts.
A Few Things I’m Proud Of
- Award-winning program creator — Beading a Soldier’s Story, recognized December 2025
- Global Woman of Vision, 2019
- Knighted into the Order of St. George, 2018
- Letter of Commendation from the Lieutenant Governor of Alberta, 2017
- Heroes of the Wildfire, Province of Alberta, 2016
- Chatelaine Maverick Women of the Year Runner-Up, 2011
- President Award, Grande Prairie Regional Tourism, 2009
- Published author: Quebec for the English Speaking Rider and Crossing Bridges: Being an Ally in the Heritage Sector
- Honorary Member, Canadian Army Veteran’s Motorcycle Units
Certifications & Training
I hold my Certified Travel Agent designation through The Travel Agent Next Door and CMTA Travel Services. My professional training covers collections management, museum operations, and event management and marketing. It also includes Dale Carnegie Sales and Leadership, Incident Command System (ICS-100), and Six Senses training (2024). Furthermore, I bring more than two decades of hands-on experience in program delivery and destination marketing.
Let’s Plan Something Worth Talking About
Whether you found me because of the Travel Talk blog, the motorcycle touring content, or a friend’s recommendation — I’m glad you’re here. I’d love to be your travel agent. Get in touch to start planning your next adventure, or sign up for the newsletter to stay in the loop on travel deals and destination news.
