ASTA Reveals 2025 Travel Advisor Award Finalists

Image: The ASTA Globes will take place in Chicago this January. (Photo Credit: Eric Bowman)
Image: The ASTA Globes will take place in Chicago this January. (Photo Credit: Eric Bowman)
Patrick Clarke
by Patrick Clarke
Last updated: 11:20 AM ET, Wed December 10, 2025

The American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA) has announced the finalists for its highly anticipated 2025 advisor awards.

Honoring outstanding excellence, innovation and leadership across the travel advisor community, winners will be revealed at the inaugural ASTA Globes celebration at Chicago’s historic Palmer House on January 22, 2026.

"Travel advisors fuel the creativity, expertise and human connection that inspire travelers to explore the world," ASTA President and CEO Zane Kerby said in a statement.

"The finalists for this year’s advisor awards embody the very best of our profession. We’re proud to honor their achievements at the first ASTA Globes, an event created to celebrate the expertise and dedication that define this industry," said Kerby.

2025 ASTA Advisor Award Finalists

ASTA Adventure Travel Specialist Award

  • James Cory; TravelStore; Los Angeles, CA
  • Global Travel Collection; New York, NY
  • David Johnson; Dream Vacations; Castle Pines, CO
  • Jamie Jones; WhirlAway Travel; Chesterbrook, PA
  • Jennifer Kellum; Neverland and Main Travel; Jacksonville, NC

ASTA Agency Leadership Award

  • Jennifer Doncsecz; VIP Vacations / Travel A.L.L.I.E.S.; Bethlehem, PA
  • Betsy Geiser; Uniglobe Travel Center; Newport Beach, CA
  • Eric Maryanov; All-Travel; Los Angeles, CA
  • Barry Noskeau, Lee Thomas & Lisa Wheeler; NousTravel; Santa Monica, CA
  • Lee Smolinski; Oasis Travel Network; Boca Raton, FL

ASTA Cultural Connection Award

  • Alicia Heath; Exploraholic Travel; Beaufort, SC
  • Sara Kelderman-Keough; Travel Leaders Discovery; Sheboygan, WI
  • McKenzie Paquin; 417 Travel; Springfield, MO
  • April Schmitt; Divine Travel Company; Lincoln, CA
  • Lexi Smith; The Travel Smiths; Point Pleasant Beach, NJ

ASTA Digital Marketing Achievement Award

  • Donna Blaser; Guiding Star Travel; Portland, OR
  • Cruise Planners; Coral Springs, FL
  • Sarah Green; Accent on Travel; Rehoboth Beach, DE
  • Lauren Quirk; Travel With Character; Calabasas, CA
  • Chris Weatherhead; Montecito Village Travel; Santa Barbara, CA

ASTA Family and Multi-Generational Leadership Award

  • Denise Ambrusko-Maida; Travel Brilliant; Buffalo, NY
  • Hannah Cote; Legacy Travel; Plano, TX
  • LaNise Frison; Budafly Travel; Columbus, MS
  • Deb Gorman; TravelMation; Newburgh, IN
  • Krissy Yoder; Be Our Guest Travel Company; Pinehurst, NC

ASTA Group Travel Innovator Award

  • Stacey Camilleri; Travel Smiths; Point Pleasant, NJ
  • John Gossen; Bursch Travel; Monticello, MN
  • Sean Harmon; Harmon Travel; Boise, ID
  • Kimberly Johnson; Keep It Moving Travels; Columbia, SC
  • Asia Lantz; Travel With Asia; Buckeye, AZ

ASTA Luxury Travel Excellence Award

  • Colleen Campanella; Acendas Travel; St. Louis, MO
  • Niya Harris; Fly Escapes; Lithonia, GA
  • Leonore Hoak; All-Travel; Los Angeles, CA
  • Nathan Parr; Travel & Cruise Desk; Lake Oswego, OR
  • Carol Rosenhagen; Direct Travel; San Jose, CA

ASTA Mentorship Excellence Award

  • Geneva Ray Haden; Montecito Village Travel; Ocala, FL
  • Nadia “Sparkle” Henry; Travel With Sparkle; West Orange, NJ
  • Laticia Jacobs; Travel Concierge Partners; Fernandina Beach, FL
  • Yahaira Morales; Finisterre Travel; West Palm Beach, FL

ASTA Michelle Mueller Educational Leadership Award

  • Amanda Klimak; Largay Travel; Waterbury, CT
  • Crystal Seaton; Road To Relaxation Travel; Wilmington, NC
  • Gina Weyer; Signature Travel Network; El Segundo, CA

ASTA Niche Market Mastery Award

  • Jim Aguerinos; Perfect Honeymoons; Mount Pleasant, SC
  • Dave Natale; DNA Tours | River Cruise King; Boca Raton, FL
  • Laura Poe; Curated by Laura Poe; Winter Park, FL
  • Alex Trettin; Travel Center Inc.; Tacoma, WA
  • Nicole Zillman; Association of Bridal Consultants; Parker, CO

ASTA Organizational Culture Award

  • Lara Deppisch; Bursch Travel; Waite Park, MN
  • Jackie Friedman; Nexion; Irving, TX
  • Shannon Kittner; The Wander Network; Davenport, FL
  • Jani Miller & John Miller; Central Travel; Toledo, OH
  • Wayne Spector; NEST; Oyster Bay, NY

ASTA Talent Development Award

  • Avoya; Fort Lauderdale, FL
  • Cathi & Phillip Banks; Legacy Travel; Plano, TX
  • Marcie Muensterman; The Travel Advisor Marcie; Wesley Chapel, FL
  • Gayle Smith; Prescription Travel; Pelham, GA
  • Kameish Stanley; Oasis Travel Network; Boca Raton, FL

ASTA Travel Technology Pioneer Award

  • Scott Caddow; Legendary World; Las Vegas, NV
  • James Ferrara; InteleTravel; Delray Beach, FL
  • Amanda Klimak; Largay Travel; Waterbury, CT
  • Diania Pimenta; Abora Travel/Dream Vacations; Tampa, FL
  • Travelmation; Fort Lauderdale, FL


For the latest travel news, updates and deals, subscribe to the daily TravelPulse newsletter.

Topics From This Article to Explore

More From TravelPulse

Related Videos

Patrick Clarke

Patrick Clarke

Senior Editor

A Maryland native and wanderer who has lived across the U.S. from North Carolina to SoCal, Patrick Clarke graduated from Towson University with a B.S. in journalism. He previously worked for Bleacher

Grow Your Travel Business With Certified Courses

Travel Agent Academy
Travel Agent Academy
Puerto Vallarta Specialist ProgramEnveloped in the beauty of a by-gone time, this colorful town on Mexico’s Pacific Coast is sure to win...
Travel Agent Academy
Travel Agent Academy
Korea Travel Specialist ProgramThis course will allow you to explore this fascinating country's incredible diversity of experiences...
Travel Agent Academy
Travel Agent Academy
Costa Rica Specialist ProgramCosta Rica Specialist Program academy ENROLL NOW Costa Rica offers golden shores, fish-filled waters,...
Travel Agent Academy
Travel Agent Academy
Puerto Vallarta Specialist ProgramEnveloped in the beauty of a by-gone time, this colorful town on Mexico’s Pacific Coast is sure to win...
Travel Agent Academy
Travel Agent Academy
Korea Travel Specialist ProgramThis course will allow you to explore this fascinating country's incredible diversity of experiences...
Travel Agent Academy
Travel Agent Academy
Costa Rica Specialist ProgramCosta Rica Specialist Program academy ENROLL NOW Costa Rica offers golden shores, fish-filled waters,...

Don't Miss These Travel Agent Events and Trainings

Upcoming Webinar
Why Cruise, When You Can CunardWednesday, June 24 2026
2:00pm Eastern
When cruise is the option, Cunard is the difference. This session explores what sets the Cunard...
Upcoming Webinar
July AAT Kings WebinarTuesday, July 7, 2026
2:00pm Eastern
Save your spot for this upcoming webinar! Details coming soon!
Upcoming Webinar
July Avanti Destinations WebinarTuesday, July 14, 2026
2:00pm Eastern
Save your spot for this upcoming webinar! Details coming soon!
Upcoming Webinar
Why Cruise, When You Can CunardWednesday, June 24 2026
2:00pm Eastern
When cruise is the option, Cunard is the difference. This session explores what sets the Cunard...
Upcoming Webinar
July AAT Kings WebinarTuesday, July 7, 2026
2:00pm Eastern
Save your spot for this upcoming webinar! Details coming soon!
Upcoming Webinar
July Avanti Destinations WebinarTuesday, July 14, 2026
2:00pm Eastern
Save your spot for this upcoming webinar! Details coming soon!