Nexion Travel Group names its 2025 Member Award winners

Nexion Travel Group recognized top members for their achievements over the past year during its annual CoNexion conference, held September 8–10 at Loews Sapphire Falls Resort at Universal Orlando. 

Marking the host agency’s 30th anniversary, the event brought together 725 travel advisors, staff and partners for three days of professional development and networking.

“Congratulations to all of our award winners,” said Jackie Friedman, VTA, CTIE, president of Nexion Travel Group. 

“This year is especially meaningful as we celebrate Nexion’s 30th. It’s inspiring to honour those who truly embody our values. Whether chosen by a fellow member or by Nexion staff, they share one thing in common: a deep passion for supporting Nexion. We are proud to call them members—they represent the very best of who we are!”

This year’s awards included a special tribute to Robbi Jumaa Hamida, the company’s late senior vice-president. 

Nexion renamed its Ambassador Award in his honour and presented the 2025 Robbi Hamida Ambassador Award to Rachel Kerr of Globe-Treks Consulting in Colorado. Kerr, who joined Nexion in 2017, has earned the Circle of Excellence award three times and sits on the Nexion Advisory Board. 

She also co-founded Nexion Military in Travel and Nexion Young Professionals.

Nexion introduced a Lifetime Achievement Award for the first time, presented to Steve Lincoln of Lincoln Travel in Bridgewater, VA. 

Lincoln has spent more than four decades in travel, opened his own agency in 2003 and earned multiple sales and Ambassador Awards. 

“The Lifetime Achievement Award is deeply meaningful—it validates my hard work and makes me feel appreciated and respected,” said Lincoln.

Two advisors received Rising Star Awards: Mary Hawthorne of JOURNEYS with Mary, Panama City Beach, FL, and Kevin Lapointe of Sunscape Vacations, Orléans, ON. 

Both were recognized for early success and effective use of Nexion’s programs and training.

Other honourees included:

• Nexion Townie of the Year: Pamela Fierro, Virginia Beach, VA
• Social Pro of the Year: Caitlyn Tyler, Edmond, OK
• Network Leaders of the Year: Holly Malloy (Trophy Club, TX), Diane Frisch (The Colony, TX) and Angie Sarles (Dallas, TX)
• Everyone Is In Award: Mike Plumton, Philadelphia, PA
• Fostering Excellence Award: Gillian Scott, St. Thomas, ON
• Ray of Positivity Award: Jarod McNeill, Seattle, WA, and Gene Jochen, Whitby, ON
• Be Kind Award: Adrianne Raia, Visalia, CA, and Kim McPhail, Petrolia, ON
• Globe Trotter Award: Ken Kimi, Aiea, HI, and Blythe Asagi, Belmont, CA
• Stories of Success Award: Brandi Vincent, San Angelo, TX, and Lisa Dunne, Dunnville, ON
• Eddy’s Choice Award: Eileen Murphy, Heath, TX
• Spotlight Success Award: Lisa Dunne (Dunnville, ON), Nicole Zima (Lake in the Hills, IL), Mike Plumton, Karis Schaffer (Omaha, NE) and Ashley, Carl and Linda Anderson (Hutto, TX)

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