Europe Express Appoints Liz Rhein and Otniel Gonzalez as Business Development Managers for the Northeast and Southeast

Lynwood, WA, April 20, 2026 — Europe Express, a leading provider of custom European travel experiences for Travel Advisors, announces the appointment of Liz Rhein as Business Development Manager for the Northeast and Otniel Gonzalez as Business Development Manager for the Southeast. 

These appointments follow recent internal promotions, with Amanda O’Connell and Chad Long transitioning into Strategic Account Manager roles to support a portfolio of host agency partners. 

Together, these strategic moves reinforce Europe Express’s continued investment in strengthening partnerships across the Travel Advisor community—both at the agency level and within key strategic accounts. 

Liz Rhein brings a wealth of experience and a deep-rooted passion for travel that began with a post-college backpacking journey through Europe. Inspired by the transformative nature of experiential travel, she went on to build a dynamic career spanning the airline and cruise industries. 

Most recently, Rhein served in business development roles with American Queen Voyages and Apple Vacations, where she partnered closely with Travel Advisors to support business growth. Now returning to her first love—Europe—Rhein joins Europe Express with a strong focus on helping Travel Advisors create highly personalized, meaningful travel experiences for their clients. 

Otniel Gonzalez brings more than 20 years of travel industry experience, most recently with Universal Destinations & Experiences. Throughout his career, he has developed a diverse background across multiple areas of the business, from guest services to sales leadership. 

Gonzalez began in the Guest Contact Center before helping to launch and lead the VIP Sales & Group Vacations team. He most recently worked in Travel Industry Sales, where he partnered with Travel Advisors to drive engagement, education, and long-term growth. 

In his role at Europe Express, Gonzalez will focus on building strong relationships across the Southeast, supporting Travel Advisors in delivering standout European itineraries and growing their businesses with confidence. 

“Liz and Otniel each bring an incredible depth of experience and a shared passion for supporting Travel Advisors,” said Mark Yacker, Vice President of Outside Sales & Partnerships. “At the same time, Amanda and Chad’s transition into Strategic Account Manager roles allows us to deepen our partnerships at the host and consortia level. Together, these moves position us to better support Advisors at every stage of their business.” 

Both Rhein and Gonzalez bring personal passion to their roles as avid travelers. Rhein, based at the Jersey Shore, enjoys time with family and friends, along with reading, film, yoga, and biblical studies. Gonzalez, whose travels include destinations such as Tokyo and Dubai, enjoys thrill-seeking adventures, beach time, and life at home with his husband and two dogs. 

These appointments reflect Europe Express’s continued investment in its Business Development and Strategic Account teams, ensuring Travel Advisors have the expertise, partnership, and support needed to succeed—every step of the way. 

About Europe Express   
Europe Express is a premier wholesale tour operator specializing in custom European travel experiences for Travel Advisors. Since 1990, Europe Express has provided travel professionals with seamless, tailor-made itineraries, competitive pricing, and dedicated support—empowering them to deliver unforgettable journeys to their clients. Continuously growing, Europe Express has operated over 300,000 trips for over 670,000 guests, with a dedicated team of over 150 employees located in five countries. Discover more at www.europeexpress.com or follow us @EuropeExpress.    

About Travelopia  
Travelopia is the world’s leading collection of experiential travel brands. With primary headquarters in Surbiton, United Kingdom and over 2,500 colleagues across 30 countries worldwide, Travelopia welcomes 400,000 guests each year in over 120 destinations. From wildlife encounters to polar expeditions, from cultural tours to yachting adventures, Travelopia’s business is not just about showing people the world, but designing new ways to experience it. Explore at www.travelopia.com. 

About the Author

Caity Garvey is the Senior Content Marketing Manager at Europe Express, where she oversees the editorial calendar and manages the publication of content across all digital properties, including social media. With a background in content and digital strategy, Caity has worked with esteemed organizations like National Geographic, The Pew Charitable Trusts, and the United Nations Foundation. She thrives in creative and collaborative environments that celebrate storytelling, innovation, and teamwork. In her free time, she loves reading anything she can get her hands on, writing, spending time with her socially awkward cat, and exploring culinary scenes in cities and countries around the world.