As part of the 2025 WAVE Awards program, TravelAge West honored three standout travel industry veterans with its Excellence in Leadership and Legend of the West awards. Here's a look at the inspiring work and lives of the recipients.
Excellence in Leadership Award: Mike Julius, Vice President of Field Sales, Carnival Cruise Line
In 1989, a bright-eyed Mike Julius joined Carnival Cruise Line — he was fresh out of an agency setting, where he sold leisure travel for a handful of years before moving into a managerial position. Julius thought he’d be with Carnival for a year or two, learning the ins and outs of the cruise industry. But life had other plans — decades later, he remains a stalwart and beloved representative for the line.
“There is a lot of brand equity in the word ‘Carnival,’ and that’s kept me focused and excited to be part of the company — and the cruise industry as a whole — all these years,” Julius said.
Julius has held various leadership roles at Carnival, including managing director for the U.S. and regional vice president, central U.S. He cruises less frequently than he used to — he’s onboard a Carnival ship at least once a year, he says — but that doesn’t mean he’s not passionate about the product, or about the travel advisors who sell it.
“I’ve met some of my best friends in this business, and a lot of them are travel advisors,” Julius said. “We have a common interest in making dreams and trips come true for people. I know some industry colleagues talk about advisors being the doctors of the industry, and I really think that’s true. They’re prescribing a feeling of excitement, of adventure. To some people, that means going to the Bahamas; to others, it’s Thailand or Antarctica. But having something around the corner keeps you fresh and energized.”
Julius attributes his success at Carnival to two traits: his authenticity with others, and his willingness to listen.
“What you see is what you get with me,” he said. “There is no hidden pretense. And I listen — whether it’s to my team, my colleagues or travel advisors. Nobody wants to listen to someone talk about themselves. I would rather hear what someone needs, or what they don’t like, and then work together to find a resolution for everybody."
Mike Julius accepted his award at the 2025 WAVE gala on June 5.
Credit: 2025 Volker CorellWhen he’s not going the extra mile to bolster Carnival, Julius is likely relaxing with family and friends in his home state of Iowa, or in Palm Springs, California, where he spends his winters. The energy of the desert agrees with him, as does all the sunshine.
As for what’s next on the horizon, Julius and his husband of 46 years are heading to Italy and Spain this summer for the food, wine and beautiful scenery. Of course, they’ll be cruising, most likely with sister brand Princess.
“The Carnival brand has kept me here, as has everyone I grew up with,” Julius said. “It’s Carmen Roig, who’s leading Princess; Anthony Viciana of Scenic Cruises; Wendy Whitener at MSC; and Vicki Freed at Royal Caribbean. We are like family — I feel blessed to be part of that, and to be honored by this industry.”
Excellence in Leadership Award: Ray Snisky, President, ALG Vacations and Amstar DMC
Right out of high school, Ray Snisky dove into the world of hospitality. The New York City native headed west, to the most glamorous hospitality hub of all — Las Vegas.
He wasn’t there for the slot machines or the stage shows. Instead, he got a degree in hotel administration at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. That helped him secure a spot in Mirage Resorts’ first-ever management associate program (right when the brand was opening The Mirage, the most expensive hotel ever built at the time), and later a job at the historic Golden Nugget hotel.
Among the industry leaders he met during his years in Vegas was Bill LaMacchia, owner and founder of The Mark Travel Corporation. That connection eventually inspired him to leave Sin City; he relocated to Wisconsin to work for LaMacchia and to take responsibility for the strategic development of The Mark Travel Corporation, both domestically and internationally. He joined its board of directors, as well.
In 2018, The Mark Travel Corporation merged with Apple Leisure Group (ALG), and in 2020, Snisky was named president of ALG Vacations and Amstar DMC. It’s a title years in the making, and the result of both personal diligence and guidance from top leaders in the business.
“Some of my greatest influences were Steve Wynn, Bill LaMacchia and, most recently, Mark Hoplamazian of Hyatt,” Snisky said. “Wynn’s creativity and attention to detail were incredible, and he taught me how important public speaking is for a leader. LaMacchia showed me how to care for colleagues, and Mark’s work ethic and level of engagement — at all levels of his organization — is something that I aspire to.”
The vast majority of ALG Vacations’ business comes through travel advisors, so Snisky is deeply tied to the community. He appreciates their boots-on-the-ground perspective, their dedication to their craft — no matter the obstacles in the way — and their passion for the consumer.
“Like a little kid who goes into a toy store, my eyes light up when I think about travel advisors,” Snisky said. “They are the backbone of our industry, and the absolute best way to distribute our products. And they’re just a great group of people.”
Ray Snisky's son was on hand as he accepted his leadership award.
Credit: 2025 Volker Corell
Like travel advisors, Snisky stands ever ready to solve a problem. He counts the turbulent months after 9/11, the financial collapse of 2008 and the COVID-19 pandemic as challenges that left the industry stronger.
“When the world was stacked against us, we had to act quickly, and be a stabilizing force for people who were anxious about the future,” he said. “A great leader — which I am aspiring to be — has to instill confidence. When I look at the things I’m most proud of, it’s getting the company through those difficult times, and getting out on the other side better than we were before we went in."
Even in his personal life, Snisky is a doer. He and his family reside in River Hills, Wisconsin, and they love to explore nearby Chicago, ride rollercoasters and travel to far-flung places. Hawaii is a family favorite (Snisky served on the Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau board of directors for years), and Croatia is on deck for their next escape. He’s grateful that his work allows for travel, and for the flexibility to be a present parent.
“Life goes by fast, and tomorrow isn’t promised,” he said. “A key part of being a leader is being a role model. We all get really busy, and our to-do lists are overwhelming, but you have to stop and realize what’s more important. I hope I’m conducting myself in a way that inspires my team.”
Legend of the West Award: Matthew Eichhorst, President, Expedia Cruises
Matthew Eichhorst has been committed to “a life of service” since he was young.
At 15, he cleaned swimming pools in his suburban Vancouver neighborhood. When that side hustle proved successful, he got an aerial map of his town at City Hall, pinned it to his bedroom wall and used it as a service solicitation guide. He learned how to repair pool pumps and pipe leaks. By the time he graduated from high school, Eichhorst was running a full business, installing above-ground pools with the help of a crew of peers on payroll.
“I was a bit nerdy, and definitely work-oriented,” Eichhorst said. “But that gave me an entrepreneurial spirit."
Eichhorst has long been adept at discerning needs in the market and finding ways to address them, but he’s always thought about people over product, he says. He got a computer science degree and even started a technology company (which caught the attention of IBM, and led to a successful partnership) while still in college. All the while, he pondered how to use tech to “create efficiency in service.” His prowess in the field, right when it was taking off, led to years of innovation and consulting.
In the late ‘90s, Eichhorst sold his company to General Electric, then helped rejuvenate tech company Infowave. In 2002, travel agency CruiseShipCenters (now known as Expedia Cruises) recruited him to helm its technology strategy and operations efforts.
Eichhorst estimates that CruiseShipCenters had 60 brick-and-mortar locations and sold about $60 million in travel annually when he first joined the team. Within a handful of years, business grew four-fold. That caught the attention of Expedia.
Matthew Eichhorst is the second-ever winner of the Legend of the West Award.
Credit: 2025 Volker Corell“We decided to do a strategic partnership with Expedia, selling 50% of the company, with a path for them to buy the remaining 50% over six years,” Eichhorst explained. “Expedia told me right at the very beginning, ‘We will allow you to be entrepreneurial.’ So, we were off to the races, and started to expand in the U.S."
Eichhorst was named president of Expedia Cruises in 2009. Today, the company has about 250 retail locations (or franchises) and 7,000 travel advisors in its ranks, and annual sales surpass the $1 billion mark. Outstanding technology boosts advisor business, and Expedia storefronts keep those advisors entrenched in the community (in-person events often attract hundreds of clients). And if an online Expedia customer calls the company’s 1-800 number, they are connected to an advisor in their area. This is Expedia concierge service.
“People crave service,” Eichhorst said. “We want reassurance that, when we are making big choices with our dollars, we are getting it right."
Eichhorst wants to help advisors get it right, too, so he’s always looking at the data and supporting agents as they leverage tech tools to grow their business. The ultimate goal? To help them create unforgettable travel experiences for their clients. Eichhorst has been striving for growth for decades, and he shows no sign of stopping.
“I go to work every day and try to add value,” he said. “To be recognized for this, with this award, is certainly humbling.”
