A record-breaking year, powerful leadership insights, and a week of connection at sea highlight the strength of KHM Travel Group’s thriving advisor community.
Contributed By: KHM Travel Group
KHM Travel Group’s 2026 Crystal Conference returned to the seas this year after hosting the annual event in Orlando last year. The conference took place on Norwegian Encore, bringing together a group of 500 travel advisors, supplier partners, team members, and guests.
This year’s conference reinforced the impact of strong leadership and support from a growing community, as KHM Travel Group capped off a record $458 million in sales in 2025. It also reminded agents to promote the personal value they bring in an era of growing AI and automation technology.
Inspiring speakers included members of KHM Travel Group’s Executive Team and Norwegian Cruise Line’s Senior Vice President and Chief Sales Officer John Chernesky.
During the general session, CEO Rick Zimmerman spoke about the importance of a travel advisor’s professional identity and how communication, clarity, context, and choice all work together.
“Clarity comes when you know who you are. Because growth without identity leads to drift. Planning without purpose leads to exhaustion. Success without gratitude leads to entitlement. For KHM Travel Group, this means we’re Agent-first, not transaction-first. We are here to serve entrepreneurs. Our People First mindset and stewardship make all that possible for our host agency.” – Rick Zimmerman
Throughout the week, attendees enjoyed a variety of “Seas the Moment” sessions where they could learn from their fellow agents or the KHM Travel Group team about different aspects of their business.
Sessions included:
Building a Travel Industry Where Everyone Belongs
DE&I Specialist Marcus Williams and Engagement Manager Amy Garner hosted an open conversation about why a more inclusive industry is a stronger industry. They discussed how agents play a pivotal role in opening the world up to their clients – and how KHM Travel Group can help.
It’s a Relationship Business
Taking part in her first Crystal since joining KHM Travel Group’s Executive Team in October 2025, Vice President of Business Development Lori Speers shared the importance of relationships and how attendees could make the most of their time on board with supplier partners, KHM Travel Group team members, and their agent community.
DE&I Agent-to-Agent Panel
2025 DE&I In Action Agent of the Year Rebecca Smiley moderated an agent panel, brought back by popular demand. These travel advisors from diverse backgrounds shared real experiences, lessons learned, and practical ways they’ve created more inclusive, supportive spaces for both clients and each other.
The KHM Travel Advantage of Cruise Group Space
Groups Specialist Kevin Kelly explained one of his favorite topics – cruise group space offered by Travel Leaders Network and KHM Travel headquarters! Agents heard about this exclusive, competitive market advantage they have available to them.
Support System Session
KHM Travel Group didn’t want guests to feel left out. This session hosted by travel agent Toni Rath and her husband Aaron Rath was designed for attendees’ “plus ones.” Agents and their guests who attended took a deeper look at what a career in travel really involves.
Launch into Luxury
Anita Pagliasso, Vice President of Industry Relations, and Carolyn Orf, Education Manager, held a conversation about the future of the luxury market and a travel agent’s evolving role within it.
Through supplier roundtable sessions and one-on-one appointments, agents were able to get to know supplier BDMs and collaborate on which clients may be right for their brand. Establishing these connections is so important for the success of their businesses. Networking and educational sessions are hallmarks of Crystal, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t time for celebration and fun also worked into the schedule.
The Crystal Conference featured the annual Crystal Award ceremony, recognizing top-performing advisors across 48 supplier, sales, and DE&I categories. KHM Travel Group’s Vice President of Agent Engagement Bill Coyle served as emcee, bringing laughs and applause for all the accomplishments from the previous year. Taking home the highest honors were: Beth Rasor (2025 Agent of the Year), Emily’s Travel – Emily Bookey (2025 Agency of the Year), and Elizabeth Westman (2025 KHM Travel Group Agent Hall of Fame Inductee). View the full list of winners here.
Check out photos from the week on Norwegian Encore at khm.io/crystal26photos.
Registration is currently open for KHM Travel Group’s 2027 Crystal Conference on Sky Princess from March 1-7, 2027. KHM Travel Group Agents can learn more by visiting KHMCrystal.com.
Discover the perks of operating your travel business with KHM Travel Group’s award-winning program at https://khmtravel.com or call the Membership Team at 888-611-1220.