Event: Celebrating Nexion’s 30th Anniversary at CoNexion 2025
A Record-Breaking Gathering of Advisors, Suppliers, and Friends Honoring 30 Years of Nexion Excellence.
Universal Orlando Resort, Florida
Attended By: Joanie Ogg, CTC, MCC Co-Owner / Founder, Travel Professional NEWS
Orlando, Florida – the playground for all ages—served as the perfect backdrop for CoNexion 2025, held September 7-10, 2025. Nexion advisors, supplier partners, and the Nexion team gathered to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Nexion Travel Group. Each year, the spirit and enthusiasm from this incredible group of professionals proves contagious, truly felt by everyone fortunate enough to participate in this annual celebration. We are grateful and honored to attend and showcase this event every year.
Sunday, September 7th
Agents began arriving at the Sapphire Falls Resort at Universal Orlando, where CoNexion Central opened to welcome attendees. First-time attendees (or “Newbies”) gathered for a reception to learn what to expect in the coming days. This year, CoNexion set a new attendance record with over 725 agents and suppliers—a testament to the organization’s continued growth and appeal. I had the pleasure of reconnecting with several friends and colleagues while exploring the hotel’s various venues.
Monday, September 8th
The day began at 7:30 AM with breakfast, followed by a heartfelt welcome from Jackie Friedman, President of Nexion Travel Group. She spoke about this year’s milestone—Nexion’s 30th anniversary—and issued her annual challenge to all attendees: make at least 10 new connections during the conference.
Honoring Robbi Jumaa Hamida
This year carried special significance as we remembered a true gentleman of the travel industry. On July 5th, Robbi Jamaii Hamid, Senior Vice President of Agency Operations at Nexion, tragically passed away after a courageous five-year battle with cancer. At only 50, Robbi left behind a profound legacy that will never be forgotten. His brilliant, kind, and generous spirit touched all who knew him, and I deeply treasured the many moments I shared with him—his kindness, incredible knowledge, and sharp wit will forever be remembered.
Jackie honored Robbi with a touching tribute, speaking from the heart about this tremendous loss. As close friends, her words carried special meaning for all of us. Jackie also provided an update on the Family Bonds Foundation and encouraged attendees to meet and exceed this year’s fundraising goal of $120,000 in donations.
Martin Mussey, Business Development Manager at Nexion, then took the stage to officially kick off the event with his characteristic energy and a moving tribute to Robbi. In a particularly touching gesture, Martin wore one of Robbi’s famous colorful suits, honoring him in style. He shared an overview of the morning session before welcoming Kristen Steele from Globus Family of Brands to update attendees on what’s new at Globus.
Leadership Presentations
Jackie returned to the stage, this time accompanied by Catherine Powell, the newly appointed CEO of AmaWaterways who assumed the role in July 2025. Powell shared her excitement about stepping into the “big shoes” left by Rudi Schreiner and Kristen Karst, the co-founders of AmaWaterways. Her remark about the size of Rudi’s shoes—”Yes, they’re big, but my heels are higher!”—brought laughter from the audience and demonstrated she’ll be a perfect fit for the role.
The morning continued with an inspiring NEXtalk from Lisa Dunn, entitled “From Starting Out to Standing Out: A Rising Star’s Blueprint for Success.” Lisa has built an amazing travel business in just a few short years, and her story proved truly motivational.
Zane Kerby, President of ASTA, also spoke, providing strong support for the agency community. One of my favorite takeaways was his reminder: “If it’s good for travel advisors, we’re for it! If it’s bad for travel advisors, we’re against it—and we’ve got your back!”
Eric Marshall, SVP of Destination Sales at Universal, wrapped up the morning session with a presentation full of exciting updates and personal anecdotes about his industry experiences.
Workshops
After the morning session, agents participated in various workshops. Notable sessions included:
- The Top 5 Reasons to Holiday with MSC Cruises
- Profitable Partnerships: Your Roadmap to Success with Avalon Waterways & Globus Family of Brands
- Mastering the Journey Training Tools That Drive Sales with Silversea
- Goal Getters: Mastering the Art of Setting & Achieving Goals with Nexion Travel Group
Following the workshops, the group reconvened for lunch and additional presentations.
Afternoon Session
The afternoon featured presentations from industry leaders, including Charles Sylvia, VP of Industry & Trade Relations at CLIA, and Scott Jordan, Managing Director of Global Sales at Delta Airlines. Peter Vlitas, EVP of Partner Relations at Internova Travel Group, shared valuable insights on SNAP and air opportunities for advisors.
Diane Petras, President of the Travel Institute, delivered an inspiring update on the importance of continued education and certification in our industry. I always enjoy hearing from Diane, as she brings tremendous passion to her work.
We were then treated to an excellent session with Derek Lloyd, VP of National & Strategic Accounts at Norwegian Cruise Line, and Heather Kindred, VP of Business Development & Education at Nexion, who led a fantastic on-stage conversation.
Awards Recognition
We also celebrated the following Nexion members for their outstanding achievements:
- Rachel Kerr, Globe-Treks Consulting – Robbi Hamid Ambassador Award
- Steve Lincoln, Lincoln Travel – Lifetime Achievement Award
- Mary Hawthorne, JOURNEYS with Mary – Nexion Rising Star Award (U.S.)
- Kevin Lapointe, Sunscape Vacations – Nexion Rising Star Award (Canada)
The afternoon concluded with a delightful NEXtalk from Nicole Zima, who shared her journey to becoming a river cruise expert, proudly calling herself the “River Cruise Queen.” She truly inspired the room with her passion and success.
Allianz Travel Insurance then presented in a fun and engaging “Dating Game” scenario, combining humor with important information about their offerings—a fantastic way to learn while having a few laughs!
The working day ended at 5:45 PM, but the celebration continued from 8:30-11:00 PM at the Opening Park Party on NY Street at Universal, featuring rides, food, drinks, and fun.
Tuesday, September 9th
The day kicked off with more presentations and updates from industry leaders, including a hilarious performance from the United Airlines team dressed as characters from Cat in the Hat, bringing both joy and information to the audience.
Mike Plumton’s NEXtalk on “Changing Lives by Building More Inclusive Travel Experiences” was another highlight. His insights on making travel more inclusive for clients resonated deeply with the audience.
The day continued with a panel of executives from Internova Travel Group, who shared insights on the power of the Nexion network. Jennifer Suarez from Celebrity Cruises and Vicki Freed from Royal Caribbean also provided updates on new initiatives.
Additional Workshops
The day featured an excellent selection of workshops, including:
- Boosting Group Sales with AI
- Behind the Curtain: Meet the Wizards of Nexion
- Unleash Your Inner Cruise Star with Nexion’s HQ Groups Program
- Shielding Your Success: Practical Legal Considerations for Small Travel Businesses
Keynote Address
Following lunch and the next general session, more awards were presented to advisors who have excelled in their travel business.
Jackie Friedman, President of Nexion Travel Group, then delivered her keynote address to the attendees. Jackie is beloved by her Nexion family, and you can feel the genuine respect and admiration they have for her. She took the audience and suppliers on a historical journey of Nexion from its beginning as a technology company to its current status as one of the most successful host agencies, sharing insights about the past and her vision for the future.
We also heard from Nexion member Karis Schaffer, who presented her NEXtalk entitled “Building a Life (and Business) that Fits Me.” She shared her story of overcoming a learning disability and proving doubters wrong, discussing how she needed to build a life that fit her rather than the other way around. Her message was not only heartfelt but certainly resonated with many in the room.
Supplier Awards
The afternoon session continued with the ever-popular Supplier Awards, where Nexion advisors vote for suppliers based on their support, products, and services. It’s always great fun to see how excited suppliers are to be honored for all they do. Martin concluded the afternoon session with housekeeping announcements before everyone broke for the popular Preferred Partner Trade Show.
Evening Celebration
The evening’s highlight was the 30th Anniversary Gala, themed “White, Black, and Pearls”—a nod to the milestone year. Everyone looked stunning as we enjoyed cocktails, dinner, awards, and dancing. It was a magical night, and I was thrilled to be part of the festivities.
Wednesday, September 10th
I had to depart Wednesday due to business commitments, so unfortunately missed what I’m sure was another amazing day at CoNexion. However, I’m confident attendees enjoyed presentations on marketing, group sales, and additional workshops highlighting exciting updates from Nexion’s supplier partners.
The event wrapped up with the announcement of next year’s CoNexion location: Austin, Texas, September 2-4, 2026. Jackie Friedman closed the event by thanking her amazing team and all those who helped make CoNexion’s 30th anniversary such a tremendous success.