Nexion president Jackie Friedman to retire in spring 2027 after 22 years

Nexion Travel Group President Jackie Friedman has announced plans to retire in spring 2027, bringing more than two decades with the host agency to a close.

Friedman publicly announced her decision during Nexion’s annual CoNexion conference, taking place this year in Austin, Texas. She will continue to lead the company until her official retirement date next spring.

“It has been an incredible honour to help Nexion become the best host agency in the travel industry,” Friedman said in a press release.

“In my 22 years with Nexion, we have created a home for some of the industry’s most talented independent travel advisors, supporting members with different business sizes, specialties and goals. Together with our preferred partners we have given our members the tools, relationships and support they need to build something lasting.”

“I have also had the privilege of working alongside an extraordinary team whose talent and commitment to our members has been the driving force of Nexion’s success. I am deeply proud of what we accomplished together and the thriving community we built.”

Friedman joined Nexion in 2004 as vice-president of operations and was promoted to president in 2007.

Before joining the company, she spent 15 years with Sabre in various sales and leadership roles. Her travel industry career began in Toronto, where she worked as a front-line travel agent and travel agency manager.

Over the years, Friedman has become a prominent voice in the travel industry and a frequent speaker and panelist at conferences.

She served three terms on the ASTA Board of Directors, including as vice-chair and chair, and currently serves on the Travel Institute Board of Trustees, CLIA STARBoard and Professional Association of Travel Hosts (PATH) Board of Directors, as well as numerous supplier advisory boards.

Friedman has also received a long list of industry honours, including the TravelAge West WAVE Award for Excellence in Leadership in 2022, World Travel & Tourism Council Outstanding Contribution Award in 2021, Travel Weekly Lifetime Achievement Award in 2020, Barbara O'Hara Award for Advocacy in 2015 and Paul M. Ruden Industry Ambassador Award.

She is also godmother of AmaWaterways’ AmaViola.

“While I am sad to see Jackie retire, I am grateful for the incredible work she has done for Nexion,” said J.D. O’Hara, CEO of Nexion’s parent company Internova Travel Group, in a statement.

“Her leadership transformed Nexion into one of the premier travel companies and most respected host in the industry. The strong sense of community that Nexion’s members, partners and team often site as one of the reasons they choose to be a part of it is due to her vision and unwavering belief in advocating for advisors. Her legacy will continue long past her retirement.”

Nexion said Friedman’s successor will be announced at a later date.

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