At its annual conference, CoNexion, held this year from 09-11SEP in New Orleans, Nexion Travel Group recognized some of its top members with awards for various achievements.
“It is always a pleasure to honour our members each year at our annual conference,” said Jackie Friedman, VTA, CTIE, president of Nexion Travel Group.
“Every one of these members has caught the attention of our Nexion team for their outstanding customer service, support of our supplier partners and encouragement of their fellow members. It’s a strong group this year—the ‘class of 2024’ winners represent some of the best in the industry.”
Among the recipients was Canadian Helayne Hauw, who was named the 2024 recipient of Nexion Travel Group’s Ambassador Award, the highest honour given to a member who exemplifies success, involvement, and dedication to Nexion’s values and preferred suppliers.
Hauw, from Ajax, Ontario, was praised for her visibility among suppliers and members, both in person and on social media. She's known for her nonjudgmental, helpful attitude and positive presence. This year, she travelled to Antarctica with a preferred supplier and shared inspiring content.
Two Rising Star Awards were presented: April Marshall of Lubbock, Texas, as the U.S. Rising Star, and Lisa Dunne of Dunnville, Ontario, as the Canadian Rising Star. Chosen by Nexion’s leadership team for their achievements despite being newer travel advisors, Nexion said both members have demonstrated potential to excel within the industry.
Other awards include:
· The Nexion Townie of the Year, awarded to the most active and helpful member on NexionTown, Nexion’s intranet, is Harry McKenzie of Parkville, Md.
· The Social Pro of the Year award, given to the Nexion member who excels in using social media to promote their agency, goes to Jessi Fleagane of Ventura, Calif.
· The Network Leaders of the Year are Emily Fengler of Brentwood, Tenn., and Whitney Snell of Nashville, Tenn. This award recognizes them for fostering local Nexion Networks through collaboration, networking and connection. They organize monthly events to promote camaraderie, mentor members and actively encourage participation in Nexion’s training and marketing tools.
· The Everyone Is In Award goes to Anthony Roberts Jr. of Louisville, Ky., for his commitment to advancing minorities in the travel industry and embodying the belief that travel is for everyone. As a Travel Weekly Travel Advisor Class Member of 2024, Roberts is a trailblazer for diversity in travel.
· The Ray of Positivity Award goes to Michael Capps of Saint Johns, Fla. And Bernadette Parrott of Quesnel, BC, for consistently maintaining a positive outlook, being exceptionally helpful to fellow Nexion members and supplier partners, and naturally promoting Nexion whenever the opportunity arises.
· The Be Kind Award goes to Zena Beaver of Selinsgrove, Pa., for consistently seeing the glass as half full, lighting up any room she enters and maintaining professionalism and a pleasant demeanour in every situation.
· The Eddy’s Choice Award – Pro Fisher goes to Joanne Parker of Massapequa, N.Y., for her thorough research and resourcefulness, which greatly aids the Member Services team in providing more effective assistance.
“Congratulations to every one of our award winners,” said Friedman. “Whether they were chosen by a fellow member or Nexion staff, they all have one thing in common: they are passionate supporters of Nexion, and we are truly proud to say that they are members—they are the very best of us!”
