ADVISORY BOARD MEMBERS

OWNER, DREAM VACATIONS - KAREN COLEMAN-OSTROV & ASSOCIATES

Karen hails from Detroit, MI but now makes Gilbert, AZ her home. With a robust sales background and a deep love for cruising and travel, Karen combined her passions in 2011 by purchasing her Dream Vacations franchise. Offering concierge-style travel services, she specializes in custom FIT itineraries, groups, cruises, and destinations like Hawaii and Mexico.

Throughout her career, Karen has garnered numerous awards, including the OPAL Award for Outstanding Performance and Leadership. Recognized as a community-engaged female franchise owner, she has also received accolades like the BDM Rockstar Brand Ambassador Award, Best Overall Marketing Award, and recognition as the top seller for Trafalgar Tours in 2023. Karen attributes a great deal of her success to attending GTM and GTM West and she has seen her sales soar; her current 2023 sales are three times what they were in 2016. Karen currently ranks in the top 50 out of almost 2000 other Dream Vacations franchises.

OWNER, GYPSEA TRAVELS, LLC

Dana is a dedicated travel professional who turned her dream into a reality by founding Gypsea Travels, LLC in 2016. Her relentless pursuit of helping people create lasting memories led her agency to an incredible achievement - receiving the Best of the Best award in its first full year of operation, a prestigious honor reserved for million-dollar agencies. Gypsea Travels, LLC has continued to soar, becoming a valued member of the Excellence Circle for agencies with $5 million or more in annual sales. For Dana, there's nothing more rewarding than witnessing the happiness of her clients.

OWNER, LIVE LONGITUDE TRAVEL

Lesley Egbert is the owner of Live Longitude Travel, an award-winning boutique travel agency specializing in luxury and adventure travel.

Lesley started her travel career in 2010 after leaving the world of finance. Her love for culture, food, logistics, and creativity made her a perfect fit for the travel industry, where she specializes in crafting custom itineraries worldwide. Within the first few years of business, she became a million-dollar producer and has since continued to grow her clientele across the US. In 2020, Lesley earned the title of Condé Nast Top Travel Specialist and has maintained her place on the prestigious list ever since.

She attended her first GTM West in 2014 and has participated in both GTM West and GTM Flagship, totaling four times over the past 10 years. Building relationships with vendors has been key to offering unique and special experiences for her clients, with GTM playing a critical role in this endeavor.

Lesley is excited to serve on the GTM board, helping advisors maximize their experience at GTM in this role.

OWNER, NEVERLAND & MAIN TRAVEL | AIRE LUXURY TRAVEL

Jennifer Kellum joins the GTM Advisory Board after attending her first event in 2021. A former middle school teacher, Jennifer accidentally entered the travel industry through blogging in 2014. Like many other travel advisors, she initially focused on selling Disney Destinations. In 2017, she opened Neverland & Main Travel with the intention of slowly and methodically expanding her portfolio. Just as her agency began to expand globally, the pandemic shut down the world. She began discussing bucket list trips and creating five-year travel plans with her existing clients, providing them with a way to map out their travel goals and budget. In 2021, Jennifer attended GTM for the first time, forming lifelong friendships and invaluable industry connections. In 2022, she returned as an Ambassador and ended the year by tripling her pre-pandemic sales. Today, her agency boasts clients on all seven continents and an impressive book of business, thanks to GTM. She attributes her growth and success to the business relationships formed and strengthened at each event.

LEAD AGENT, DREAMERS TRAVEL

Jennifer discovered the travel bug in her twenties when she took a road trip to Key West. The rest is history! She has been hooked on travel ever since. During her 26-year career as an office manager in the medical field, Jennifer spent her free time planning trips for herself and others. In 2013, she decided to leverage her passion for travel and become a Travel Consultant. The first trip she booked was to Walt Disney World, but she quickly found herself diving into Europe, Africa, and organizing amazing unique group adventures worldwide.

Jennifer believes that a vacation should be an amazing experience for every member of your family or group. She sets out to create and propose itineraries that uncover hidden gems, creating lifelong memories for everyone.

OWNER, SKY HIGH TRAVEL

Abbey takes pride in her passion for sharing the world, her travels, and knowledge with others. She taught high school world geography for seven years before becoming a travel professional. Holding a Master’s degree in Administrative Leadership in Education, she brings immense value to running her agency, Sky High Travel.

Sky High Travel, an award-winning storefront agency located in St. Louis, Missouri, was opened by Abbey alongside her business partner, Christina Royer, in 2021. Today, they boast a team of 23 advisors and accolades, including being named "Best Travel Agency in St. Louis" for 2022 and 2023 by STL Magazine.

Abbey's passport holds stamps from various countries, including Saudi Arabia, Kenya, Egypt, Australia, New Zealand, Israel, South Africa, and Thailand, to name a few. She is always ready to add more to that list. Abbey loves to travel with her family, consisting of her husband and two young sons, but equally enjoys her solo adventures.

Her knowledge, paired with personal travels, greatly contributes to the services Abbey provides. She has a true knack for encouraging her clients and team to think outside the box when it comes to travel.

OWNER AND FOUNDER, EMBRACE THE JOURNEY TRAVEL

Kristi Peek is the owner and founder of Embrace the Journey Travel, boasting nine years of experience in the travel industry. Kristi commenced her career at a Disney-focused agency and, in 2017, she left to establish Embrace the Journey Travel, aiming to cater to all travel needs for valued customers. Embrace the Journey Travel aspires to be a generational travel agency, meeting the diverse needs of its guests throughout their lives.

In 2018, attending Global Travel Marketplace was like jet fuel for the growth of Embrace the Journey Travel. Although the agency had a large client base, it lacked experience with tour operators to meet guest needs comprehensively. GTM bridged that gap by facilitating one-to-one meetings with tour operators, enabling them to provide more knowledgeable offerings and enhance their clients' experiences. This resulted in massive business growth, and the Embrace the Journey Travel team is grateful for the connections made through GTM events. Kristi also serves on the local DFW American Society of Travel Advisors Chapter Board and is active in Mast, the agency’s consortium.

TRAVEL ADVISOR, PROTRAVEL INTERNATIONAL

Melissa has been a travel advisor with Protravel International for 14 years, following her long career as a tennis professional. In addition to her prestigious position as a GTM Advisory Board Member, she is a Virtuoso Cruise Icon. Cruises—be it ocean, river, or expedition—are her specialty. As an avid golfer, she also escorts golf groups around the world to world-class courses and golf resorts.

Melissa shares her passion and knowledge of travel with her clients, aiming to build itineraries that exceed their expectations and create lasting memories. According to Melissa, “GTM is one of the best events for personal contact with suppliers and extensive networking with advisors.”

OWNER, LOVE OF THE MAGIC VACATIONS

Jamie’s roots in the travel industry took hold back in 2015 with the creation of her travel blog, and they have since grown into her award-winning agency, Love of the Magic Vacations. Her impact on the travel world over the last eight years is evident not only in the accolades her agency has received but also in the glowing reviews from clients and the passion that motivates the 100+ advisors who make up her team.

Jamie and her team have won awards such as a silver Travel Weekly Magellan Award, Top Sales of Disney Destinations, and #3 Overall Top Sales at the MAST Awards. They have also earned status with multiple suppliers, including Authorized Disney Vacation Planner, U-Preferred, and Preferred Sandals Agency.

While Jamie is a Disney Enthusiast at her core, her love of travel reaches every corner of the globe. Love of the Magic Vacations perfectly emulates Jamie’s own travel values. She truly believes that travel has the power to open hearts and minds, bringing people together. To that end, Jamie has become extremely passionate about expanding her clients’ zeal for Disney into a traveling spirit that takes them to destinations all over the world.

OWNER, TINA KNOWS TRAVEL

Tina has owned her agency for almost 10 years. Five years into her journey in the travel industry, she discovered GTM when she earned a spot at the Future Leaders in Travel Retreat and was invited back the next year as a Guide. After networking with some of the best young agents in the business and forming relationships with suppliers, Tina was inspired. She attributes her business's growth, making it eligible for GTM the following year, to what she learned during the two years she spent at Future Leaders. Tina was honored to have been invited back to GTM as an ambassador. Of all the accomplishments she's had, being on the GTM Advisory Board is one she will cherish forever.

Tina takes pride in the fact that most of her business comes from referrals and return clients, thanks to her dedication to giving her clients a vacation they will never forget. She feels fortunate to have a career in the travel industry, living out her passion every day of her life. Tina is excited to pass on her love for all things travel to other agents.

OWNER, EXCLUSIVE TRAVEL PARTNERS

Tim Sawhook, owner of Exclusive Travel Partners, brings over a decade of experience to the dynamic travel industry, earning coveted spots as a keynote speaker at numerous conferences. His insights have captivated and inspired audiences, showcasing his leadership and knowledge.

Grateful for the impactful business relationships developed through GTM, Tim's return as an Advisory Board Member reflects his commitment to giving back. He aims to help others in their professional development, ensuring they experience a transformative journey akin to his own. Tim's unwavering commitment to a relationship-focused working environment, guided by his company core values of Connect, Invest, and Love, has transformed both personal and professional lives. Through prioritizing meaningful connections and investing in people's growth, Tim has cultivated a team at Exclusive Travel Partners that values authentic human interactions, recognizing that helping each person see the world changes the world, one person at a time.

OWNER, SOJOURNEY TRAVEL

It all began in 1998 when Lori started as an employee at Delta Airlines and fell in love with travel. In 2011, Lori turned her passion into a career by becoming a travel advisor. After years with a host agency, she opened her own to help others find a purpose in a new career. Her dream, conceived as a single mom to five children, came to fruition in January 2021 amid the post-pandemic recovery when she, with her new husband's blessing, launched Sojourney Travel.

Lori's agency has achieved remarkable growth, currently attaining Elite Statuses with well-known brands. Throughout 2022 and 2023, Lori dedicated time to writing an extensive travel advisor training program, showcasing her passion for travel advisory education. As a member of Travel A.L.L.I.E.S Society, a former GTM Ambassador, and someone deeply engaged in the advisor community, Lori excels in connecting advisors with quality, reputable suppliers—her networking is a gift! Lori, who loves traveling with her husband and six children, is always on a mission to experience something new.

OWNER, IMPRESSIVE TRAVELS

Marcus Williams, a travel enthusiast with a fervor for adventure, embarked on his journey to create Impressive Travels nine years ago. Through his unwavering dedication and expertise, Marcus has achieved the prestigious title of "Agent of the Year" multiple times, with both United Vacations and Southwest Vacations, earning recognition as the Southwest Region Agent of the Year. Marcus takes immense pride in his ability to craft remarkable travel experiences and is driven by a commitment to delivering exceptional service to his clients. His passion for travel and his remarkable achievements make him a standout figure in the travel industry.