Courtnie Nichols

Courtnie Nichols has held a variety of roles in the travel industry since 2013. In 2013, they were the Area Director Upstate Region for the American Lung Association, where they worked to re-establish the association's brand in the community, doubled the number of Better Breathers Club support programs, grew program participant numbers and recruited new facilitators for ALA's Smoking Cessation Clinics, and coordinated the annual "Dancing with The Stars" Oxygen Ball. In 2014, they were the Founding President of FEMCITY, a community dedicated to arming women with everything they need to grow their business and live a happy life. From 2015 to 2017, they were the Director of Development & External Relations for the College of Business at Louisiana Tech University, where they managed all external operations, including the marketing, fundraising, and special alumni events. During this time, they also served as a Travel Columnist for Advantage Publishing Inc. In 2017, they founded TravelBash, a travel agency dedicated to planning destination weddings and luxury experiences. In 2021, they joined The 1000, a club for the world's most influential travel advisors, as an Advisory Board Member. Also in 2021, they founded The Compass Collective, a company that works with brands to support and embrace the diverse needs and expectations of modern travelers. Finally, in 2022, they became a Strategic Advisor for TripSuite.

Courtnie Nichols has an education history that includes a Bachelor of Science in Marketing with a minor in Sport Management from East Tennessee State University (2007-2009), a Masters in Strategic Leadership from East Tennessee State University (2009-2011), and a Tourism and Travel Services Management program from Travel Leaders of Tomorrow (2016-2017). Additionally, they have attended Hampton University for Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs (2005-2007). Courtnie has also obtained various certifications, including a Certified Tahiti Specialist from Tahiti Tourisme (2021), a Hawaii Specialist from the Hawaii Tourism Authority (2021), an Inspired by Iceland Specialist from Visit Iceland (2021), a Puerto Rico Travel Expert from Discover Puerto Rico (2021), an Australia Aussie Specialist from Tourism Australia (2020), an Aruba Specialist from the Aruba Tourism Authority (2019), a Jamaica Travel Specialist from travAlliancemedia (2019), a St. Vincent and the Grenadines Specialist from Travel Agent University (2019), a Weddings & Honeymoon Specialist from The Travel Institute (2019), an Antigua & Barbuda Specialist from the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority (ABTA) (2019), a Saint Lucia Expert (SLEx) from Recommend Magazine (2019), a Certificate of Expertise from Playa Hotels & Resorts (2018), a Magic of Mexico Specialist from Travel Agent Academy (2017), an AmResorts Master Agent from AMResorts (2021), a Florida Seller of Travel License from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (2020), a Certified Sandals Specialist (CSS) from Unique Vacations, Ltd. (2019), Adult First AID CPR/AED from the American Red Cross, a Certified Leisure Travel Specialist from The Travel Institute, a Gourmet Inclusive Vacation Consultant from Karisma Hotels & Resorts, and an Indoor IMPACT from USA Volleyball.