Over 300 travel professionals and 50 elite partners embarked on Norwegian Encore from February 21 to 28, 2026, for the annual Crystal Conference of KHM Travel Group, a week-long gathering centered on learning, networking, and business advancement.
The theme for this year, “Seas the Moment,” inspired advisors to enhance their professional connections, rejoice in the accomplishments of the KHM community, and dedicate time to rejuvenation while refining their strategies for the future. The agenda included personalized meetings with suppliers and leadership from KHM Travel Group, alongside general sessions, networking opportunities, and an awards presentation to honor the top-performing agents.
Travel Market Report was granted exclusive access to cover the event.
The forthcoming Crystal Conference is set to take place aboard Sky Princess from March 1 to 7, 2027, with registration information to be shared later.
Record-Breaking Sales & Other Milestones in 2025
The travel advisors at KHM enjoyed another robust year in 2025, achieving a stunning $458 million in bookings. Commission payouts also reached unprecedented levels, amounting to $53 million for the year. Average commission disbursements saw a 10% increase year over year, while KHM advisors earned over $750,000 in bonus commissions. Additionally, the company initiated an automated unclaimed commissions project in January, which sent out upwards of 7,700 emails, assisting advisors in claiming $3.3 million.
KHM’s educational program achieved significant milestones as well. The company’s training initiatives—Boot Camp 1.0, Boot Camp 2.0, Destination Success, and Luxury Symposium—witnessed record attendance numbers.
“Growth is not merely an expectation. Growth is a privilege,” stated Rick Zimmerman, president and CEO, during the general sessions. “Real growth won’t alter our identity. Instead, it will uncover the best version of who we already are.”
Levarté Travel Acquisition & Future Growth
KHM currently encompasses a network of nearly 5,900 advisors, and according to Geoff Cox, KHM’s vice president of sales and marketing, the company’s growth strategy will preserve its community-focused, people-first approach.
“We maintain one of the most favorable agent-to-employee ratios in the industry — approximately one employee per every 65 agents — and we are dedicated to keeping it that way so you never feel overlooked as we expand,” Cox remarked.
A significant milestone for KHM in 2025 was the acquisition of Levarté Travel, a host agency established by industry expert Lori Speers in 2020. This agency was designed to assist independent travel advisors by emphasizing advanced technology and live training opportunities. Speers now plays a role on the KHM executive team as the vice president of business development, adding around 500 travel advisors to KHM’s network.
“The highlight of the past year was certainly our purchase of Levarté Travel,” Cox noted. “It wasn’t simply about increasing our roster of travel agents. It was truly about integrating Lori Speers and her remarkable team, who excelled at their agency, and bringing those talents into KHM.”
During her address on the second day of general sessions, Speers expressed her gratitude for being part of the KHM family:
“I’m profoundly honored to be here, not just as a member of the executive team but as part of this extraordinary community… this choice for me was deeply personal. It transcends mere profession; it’s about the people. It is genuinely about the connections.”
What’s Next: Investing in AI & Other Technology
As they look to the future, KHM is committed to further supporting its travel advisor network by making ongoing technology investments.
“We have pledged a three-year initiative to enhance our technological capabilities and position ourselves among the top tech companies in our sector,” Cox explained.
Up to this point, the company has acquired professional streaming capabilities to facilitate remote education and events, allowing its advisors to access training sessions more conveniently. KHM has also transitioned its systems to a new server infrastructure for better performance and security, along with improvements to its website and agent portal.
“We completely revamped the portal… making it simpler to find what you need more quickly,” described Cox.
Zimmerman mentioned that the company is considering innovative approaches through the utilization of AI tools for travel advisors, yet emphasized that maintaining human connection remains essential to KHM’s core values.
“Technology should reduce obstacles, enhance clarity, and scale care,” Zimmerman stated. “If we execute this correctly, we can harness AI to significantly improve our service… but we must ensure that technology or automation does not compromise our connections with clients.”
Fonte: Travel Market Report
