Nexion Travel Group President Jackie Friedman Retires
Jackie Friedman retirement marks the end of a 23‑year leadership era at Nexion Travel Group, announced at the CoNexion conference in Austin.
Jackie Friedman announced her retirement as president of Nexion Travel Group during the company’s annual CoNexion conference in Austin, Texas, saying she will stay on until a spring 2027 departure.
The CoNexion event, Nexion’s flagship gathering, brought together hundreds of independent advisors and industry partners to hear the retirement news directly from Friedman.
Career highlights and upcoming transition
Friedman first joined Nexion in 2004 as vice president of operations and was raised to the top role three years later. Before that, she spent fifteen years at Sabre, moving from front‑line agent work in Toronto to senior sales and leadership positions.
Her early experience as a front‑line agent and agency manager in Toronto gave her a practical understanding of advisor challenges that later shaped Nexion’s support model.
Her tenure has seen Nexion grow into a leading host agency, offering independent travel advisors tools, relationships and support. “It has been an incredible honor to help Nexion become the best host agency in the travel industry,” she told attendees.
Under her guidance, Nexion forged preferred‑partner agreements that supplied advisors with exclusive rates, technology platforms, and marketing resources essential for building sustainable businesses.
The company has not named her successor yet; the announcement will come later.
The forthcoming successor will inherit a well‑defined community framework and a clear strategic roadmap established during Friedman’s two‑decade leadership.
Industry involvement and recognitions
Beyond Nexion, Friedman has served three terms on the ASTA Board of Directors, including stints as vice chair and chair. She also sits on the Travel Institute Board of Trustees, the CLIA STARBoard, the Professional Association of Travel Hosts board, and several supplier advisory panels.
Her reputation as a speaker and panelist at major travel conferences reinforces her influence on policy and best‑practice discussions across the industry.
Her award list includes a TravelAge West WAVE Award for Excellence in Leadership (2022), a World Travel & Tourism Council Outstanding Contribution Award (2021), a Travel Weekly Lifetime Achievement Award (2020), the Barbara O’Hara Award for Advocacy (2015) and the Paul M. Ruden Industry Ambassador Award.
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These honors collectively recognize her leadership vision, advocacy for independent advisors, and her role as an ambassador bridging travel agencies and suppliers.
She is listed as the godmother of AmaWaterways’ ship AmaViola, a ceremonial role that shows her standing in the cruise sector.
Being a ship’s godmother is a traditional maritime honor that highlights a person’s prominence and connection to the cruise community.
Perspectives on her impact
Industry observers note that Friedman’s focus on community building helped Nexion attract advisors with diverse business sizes and specialties. By aligning the host agency with preferred partners, she created a network that many members cite as a key reason for staying.
J.D. O’Hara, chief executive of Internova Travel Group, the parent of Nexion, expressed gratitude for Friedman’s work. “While I am sad to see Jackie retire, I am grateful for the incredible work she has done for Nexion,” he said. “Her leadership transformed Nexion into one of the premier travel companies and most respected host in the industry.”
O’Hara’s role as CEO of Internova shows the strategic importance of Nexion within the larger travel services portfolio.
O’Hara added that the strong sense of community among members, partners and staff stems from Friedman’s vision and her “unwavering belief in advocating for advisors.” He expects her influence to endure beyond her official exit.
He emphasized that the community culture remains a central pillar of Nexion’s brand identity moving forward.
Future outlook for advisors
Prospective travel advisors interested in joining Nexion can contact the firm at 800‑747‑6813 or email [email protected]. The company continues to promote its model of providing resources and mentorship to independent professionals.
The toll‑free number connects callers directly with the advisor recruitment team for personalized guidance.
The travel community will watch how Nexion works through the leadership change while maintaining the standards set during Friedman’s two‑decade tenure.
