The leap of faith behind KHM Travel Group: Travel Weekly

Jamie Biesiada

As the old paradoxical statement goes, in business, the only risk is not taking risks.

Whether that’s true or not, it was a risk — albeit, a calculated one — that resulted in the formation of one of the industry’s biggest host agencies: KHM Travel Group.

Today, KHM is home to more than 5,000 travel advisors. The Brunswick, Ohio-based host sits at No. 41 on Travel Weekly’s Power List. This marks its 20th year in business, an anniversary celebrated during KHM’s Crystal Conference, held last month at the Hilton Orlando Buena Vista Palace — Disney Springs Area.

During the conference, a video message from Jeff Leitch, an early investor in the host, painted a picture of the founding of KHM.

Years ago, Leitch met KHM CEO Rick Zimmerman through their church, St. Malachi Parish in Cleveland. There, Zimmerman helped lead a program for children and young adults.

“For countless years, I saw firsthand the impact Rick made on my kids, those of our friends and so many other young adults from a variety of backgrounds,” Leitch said. “It was life-changing stuff, believe me.”

At the time, Zimmerman was in the home remodeling business and Leitch owned a 100-year-old home. For more than 10 years, the two worked together to remodel the home, facing several challenges along the way (Leitch sold the house in 2019. He quipped, “The only other person happier on the face of the Earth was Rick.”). 

“I witnessed his passion and drive to build something that his employees and his customers would appreciate and be proud of,” Leitch said. “So from the outset, he held himself and his team accountable, stressed integrity, customer service, teamwork, a high degree of professionalism, with a heavy emphasis on giving back to the community and always, always being grateful for all God’s blessings.”

One man’s dream

One day in 2004 or 2005, Zimmerman shared a new dream with Leitch: starting a host agency where people could start their own successful businesses. He wanted Leitch to come on as an investor in the project.

Leitch wasn’t sure. He even asked a family member working at a struggling local travel agency if she thought it was a good idea; she didn’t. But Leitch continued talking to Zimmerman about the opportunity.

“I had seen how Rick carried himself as a teacher and former of young people at our church, how he treated people in his small business,” Leitch said. “My own experience with him told me that he reminded me of so many of the successful people and enterprises I had come in contact with in my business career.”

Zimmerman, Leitch said, had sound principles and values, and built solid relationships. He was also intelligent and had drive and focus.

“The biggest question, of course, was, was a host agency idea going to take root?” Leitch said. “Rick convinced me that our conditions were ripe, so we took the leap, and the rest is history.”

Geoff Cox, vice president of sales and marketing at KHM, said Zimmerman himself was the driver in establishing the host agency. 

“The whole reason he got this thing started was because someone believed specifically in him, not in the idea,” Cox said.

Cox met Zimmerman in 2005 when he was Carnival’s sales rep in Northeast Ohio. KHM was his account.

When Zimmerman asked for 15% commission off the bat, despite no sales record with the cruise line, Cox immediately OK’d the idea. He saw the potential behind KHM.

Cox eventually joined the agency in 2011. It was on a growth trajectory, with well over 1,000 independent contractors (ICs).

“Just about every single dime that we made back then was reinvested back into the company,” Cox said. “It’s never been about the money. It’s always been about doing what’s right by the people. We’re 100% dedicated to our agents.

Continued growth

That attitude has paid off. Several agents have stuck with KHM for more than 15 years. KHM currently has more than 5,300 ICs.

Last year was a record one for KHM, which recorded around $409 million in annual sales, Cox said. The host is on track to grow to $430 million-plus this year. Booking windows are long, too, with more advisors booking clients for 2026 than for 2025.

In a release about this year’s Crystal Conference, Zimmerman attributed much of KHM’s success to its team.

“When KHM Travel Group was born, I leaned on a simple truth: Surround yourself with the right people,” he said, adding that he believes the host is on its way “to becoming a 100-year company, built on partnerships, integrity and innovation.”
___

Correction: Jeff Leitch’s name was misspelled in an earlier version of this report.