Our travel agents are the heart of everything we do. Their passion, dedication, and commitment to their clients inspires us every day. As a host agency, we’re proud to support their success by providing the resources, education, and personal guidance they need to grow.
To celebrate our travel agents, we asked the members of our Executive Team to share a few words about what they’ve learned about our amazing KHM Travel Group community over the years.
What do you appreciate about our travel agents?
“What I appreciate most about our travel agents is their willingness to keep showing up for people. This profession asks for resilience, adaptability, patience, and heart, especially in a world that is constantly changing. Our agents are not only building businesses; they are helping families reconnect, helping people celebrate milestones, and sometimes even helping clients heal, rest, and experience the world in meaningful ways. I’m deeply grateful for the humanity they bring to an industry that should never become just about transactions.”
– Rick Zimmerman (President & CEO)
What’s something you want every travel agent to feel recognized for?
“Every travel advisor deserves to feel recognized for the trust they earn and the relationships they build—not just the bookings they make. In a world where anyone can click ‘book now,’ advisors are the ones who truly know their clients and show up when it matters most. That human connection is what elevates this profession from transactions to something truly meaningful.”
– Lori Speers (Vice President of Business Development)
What do you admire most about the way our travel agents serve their clients?
“Our agents do not view their job as 9-5, Monday – Friday. I have seen them working all hours of the day when their clients have travel issues. They are dedicated to serving. When they are traveling or not available, they have backup agents to assist clients if they cannot be reached. They are truly committed to making their clients’ travel be as flawless as possible.”
– Karen Siburt (Vice President of Finance & Administration)
What’s one reason you are proud to support this community?
“I’m incredibly proud to support the travel agent community. Behind every trip is a real person who takes the time to understand their clients, handle the unexpected, and turn travel into something meaningful. Their expertise, care, and passion make experiences better and more personal in ways technology alone simply can’t replace. Grateful to stand behind professionals who make the world feel more connected, one journey at a time.”
– Geoff Cox (Vice President of Sales & Marketing)
How would you describe our travel agents in a few words?
“Our KHM Travel Agents have an entrepreneurial spirit. They are driven, not just to be good travel agents, but to be good stewards of their craft. They also genuinely care about each other. I remember when our kids were young. If our daughter received a treat from the bank teller, she would ask if her brother could have one too. Our agents are like this; they want the best for everyone. They hold our community of agents to a high standard of Core Values.”
– Bill Coyle (Vice President of Agent Engagement)
Which travel agent contributions deserve more celebration?
“I want every travel agent to feel recognized for the care they put into every detail – the behind-the-scenes work, the problem-solving, and the way they advocate for their clients every step of the way. Because it’s that unseen work that turns a good trip into an exceptional experience.”
– Anita Pagliasso (Vice President of Industry Relations)
What has impressed you most about our travel agents?
“I appreciate the thoroughness of the planning that our travel agents do when planning a trip; beginning with taking the time to learn what type of traveler I am and my preferences to identifying different choices among supplier and itineraries, to handling the details that ensure the trip goes smoothly by arranging transfers, recommending restaurants, or must see excursions. Having traveled as extensively as our agents do, they possess the wealth of knowledge of the destinations that I don’t even know to concern myself with addressing. That goes a long way in eliminating frustrations.”
– David Gouttiere (CFO)
Get to know more about our Executive Team and the work they do to empower and support travel agents at every step of the agent journey. Become a travel agent with KHM Travel Group to join a community that cares about your success!
