Industry High Achievers: ASTA Awards Top Travel Professionals in Dallas

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At the 2024 Travel Advisor Conference held in Dallas, Texas on May 29-30, the American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA) celebrated outstanding contributions in the travel industry. The event saw an assembly of 1,400 participants, including travel advisors, suppliers, and industry leaders, come together to acknowledge those who have shown remarkable dedication to serving clients.

The awards ceremony, a highlight of the conference, took place during the General Session on the main stage. These honors, determined by ASTA’s yearly member votes, recognize the commitment of individuals, chapters, and supplier partners to ASTA’s mission. In 2024, AmaWaterways and its co-owner Kristin Karst notably clinched both the Partner Company of the Year and Partner Representative of the Year awards.

ASTA encourages its members to nominate deserving individuals for the Supplier Medal of Excellence through a write-in vote. This year, Vicki Freed, Senior Vice President of Sales and Trade Support at Royal Caribbean International, received this prestigious accolade.

“We use the occasion of our annual conference to honor and celebrate excellence and outstanding achievement. From suppliers who make our distribution channel a priority, to the volunteer leaders who make our Society shine,” said Zane Kerby, President and CEO of ASTA. “Our industry will only ever be as good as the trust we’re able to create with travelers, and honoring the professionals who are committed to that mission is what we’re all about.” 

The Central Pennsylvania Chapter received the Robert L. Duglin Chapter Excellence Award, celebrated for its exceptional community involvement and organizational excellence.

The Travel Advisor of the Year Award, honoring a member’s unparalleled service to clients, was awarded to Velia Kennedy, Owner & CEO of Modern Family Travel, from over 200 nominations.

The ceremony also recognized excellence across various sectors with awards including:

• Airline Partner of the Year: Delta Air Lines
• Transportation Partner of the Year: Enterprise, National, and Alamo
• GDS Partner of the Year: Sabre Corporation
• Hotel Partner of the Year: Marriott International
• Ocean and River Cruise Line Partner of the Year: Royal Caribbean International and AmaWaterways, respectively
• Tour Operator of the Year: Globus Family of Brands
• Travel Insurance Partner of the Year: Allianz Partners
• Top Destination Partners: Hawai‘i Visitors & Convention Bureau (North America) and The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism (International)

Additional accolades awarded included:

• Consortium Partner of the Year: Signature Travel Network & Virtuoso
• Regional Consortium of the Year: MAST Travel Network
• Host Agency of the Year: Avoya Travel Network
• Member Service Award: Hope Wallace with ADA Travel & Dave Hershberger with Prestige Travel Leaders Inc.
• President’s Travel Advisor Leadership Award: Jean Paugh with All About You Travel Unlimited
• ASTA Chapter on the Rise: Greater New Orleans
• George “Eddie” Woodham Chapter President of the Year: Senora Kelly, Missouri Kansas Chapter
• Regional Director of the Year: South East Regional Director Shelley Phillips

This array of awards underscores the vibrancy and dedication within the travel industry, celebrating those who enhance client experiences and industry standards.