About Us
When Passionpreneurs unite, adventure is almost inevitable. And that’s exactly what happened with Robert Riesmeyer and Jill Davies.
We’re adventurers. Wanderlusts. Cultural enthusiasts if you will.
This is a mantra that is firmly planted in the foundation of our companies. We venture in search of the ends of the Earth, we always have a suitcase half-packed, and our eyes are perpetually peeled for undiscovered destinations around the globe. Because we believe a life coated with curiosity and painted with raw, adrenaline-pumping, soul-freeing experience is the true essence of existence. To us, life is not measured by the breaths we take, but rather by the number of stamps in our passports, and stories we have to tell of adventures gone by. Anything less than living life to the fullest and traveling the farthest, seems to be a waste of the wonders we’ve been given in this world. After all, travel is the only thing you buy that makes you richer.
Introducing Your Advisors
So, consider us your “Wealth Advisors” so to speak.
We operate with service standards that have a local feel, with itineraries that span a global scale.
We realize that adventure means something different to everyone, and we pride ourselves on tailoring each trip to create the perfect fit.
We’ve deliberately designed our company to serve the best of both worlds. Suitcase of Dreams has mastered the individual excursion, the plan completely personalized to you. On the other hand, Travel Unrivaled prides themselves on bringing you the unparalleled group experience.
Robert Riesmeyer
Founder | Experience Curator
As Robert puts it, “For me, travel has been an integral part of my life as long as I’ve been alive. And it’s so much more than just the destination. It starts the moment you leave your comfort zone.”
That is why he prides himself on providing the entire experience for clients. Born and raised in the Midwest, he is a small-town boy with worldly aspirations and an itch to scour the globe. Fed up with running an insurance business, he decided to take the concept of customization and apply it to his passion instead. And Travel Unrivaled was born.
Certified in personal protection and safe travel, Robert is well-versed in the types of and ways to voyage. He’s a serial-entrepreneur and philanthropist with a passion for expedition. But, most importantly, he’s a dreamer. The idea man who refuses to settle for an experience that’s anything less than epic. And he uses his powers of imagination to create one-of-a-kind group experiences his clients won’t soon forget.
Since great minds think alike and the power lies in numbers, Robert was looking to work alongside someone proficient in the hand-crafted custom experience, to offer clients the best of both worlds whether they were flying solo or wanting the group experience. Long story short, he and Jill Davies met, it was kismet, and together they’ve brought this epic brand to life.
Jill Davies
COO | Experience Architect
With a penchant for planning, and a love for all things travel, Jill founded Suitcase of Dreams in 2010 to create magic for those wanting to discover all the mesmerizing places this world has to offer. Fully certified since 2012, her footprint covers the globe. Simply put, Jill prides herself on curating itineraries that perfectly blend the needs, desires, and experiences her clients never knew they always wanted.
According to Davies, “Travel has taught me more about people than any educational institution ever has. In fact, there is no place I wouldn’t want to go if given the opportunity just to experience another world so to speak, for at least a little while,”
Therefore, Travel Unrivaled is based on the unparalleled experience. Authenticity. And customization. It’s about trading in the one-size-fits all approach for an experience tailored to you. It’s about creating your bucket list of all the experiences you wanted to have, and then checking them off, one passport stamp at a time. We’ve scoured the globe to find the greatest adventures this side of the Earth has to offer, to help you create those monumental memories that you’ll proudly wear for the rest of your life.
Christie Nordmeyer
Creative Curator
Obsessed with travel, and oozing with ideas, Christie is a content mastermind. She’s internationally published, has run two magazines, hosted two radio shows, crafted video compilations, directed many a photo shoot, and made too many social posts to count.
However, she realized where creativity and culture collide is her favorite place to reside. That’s why she’s made it her mission to use her skillset to showcase all the amazing spaces the world should be showing off. To invite people to see life through her pen & lens is nothing less than a sensory experience. A deliberate one at that. As she puts it, “Life is too short to be spent sitting on the sidelines. It’s meant to be savored. Adventured. And appreciated for all it gives back to us. And if I can play a small part in making others see the extra in the ordinary, then I’ll consider it a job well done
It’s why she launched Freestyle Adventures, a company built around helping DMC’s, DMO’s, and other travel providers highlight remote regions, bucket-list worthy excursions, and all the hidden gems across the globe. It’s where she gives a first-person glimpse inside often overlooked areas to break through the clutter and shine a brighter light on some of the earths most spellbinding destinations.
Laura Smith
While always fond of travel, Laura really cultivated her experience living as an ex-pat in England for a year when her children were young. This former curriculum creator has crafted her organizational expertise, a penchant with pupils, and 30 years of teaching into a career that has successfully led over 150 students across Europe. And she’s just getting started.
When it comes to specialization, Laura is a voracious learner, determined to stay abreast of the
latest developments in all things European travel. Further, this overachiever holds credentials with the Tourism Boards of Ireland, Scotland, & Spain, as well as general coursework concerning Euro travel.
An adventurist at heart, her priority lies in hand-crafting an ideal and individualized experience for each of her clients. Whether that is sledding in the Swiss Alps, deep sea fishing in the Mediterranean, or searching out the best spot for seeing the Northern Lights, she’s prepared to do all the leg work and then some, so all you have to do is enjoy every moment.
Emily Beddall
An event-coordinating, wedding-planning, destination-designing mastermind, Emily Beddall is nothing short of a fete fanatic. And a fantastic one at that. Boasting 100’s of celebrations under her belt from California to Montana, and Texas, she’s now shifted her focus and using her skills for couples and corporations in the Kansas City market. But, with a penchant and passion for travel, she specializes in both destination wedding and meeting planning. Whether you want to say I do on the beaches of Ibiza, a castle in Ireland, or along the shores of Cape Town, she’s ready to make it a reality. And if you want your next corporate function held in Cabo or want to break bread with the bigwigs in Barcelona, she’s your go-to guru. Your plan is her priority, and if you’re looking for something especially off the cuff, she’s ready to accept that challenge!
Helene Houston-Reed
This highly educated, detail-oriented, accessibility-focused, culture-enriching, travel-minded, dual citizen is ready to roam the globe and see to it that everyone else can too.
She grew up with a sense of wanderlust, swapping sports and summer school for trips around the world. With a background in hospitality leadership, a passion for the sustainable tourism, and vast experience in the accessibility arena, Helene is a triple threat. Not only is she determined to share her love of exploration, but she’s also likely to drop you right out of your comfort zone (in the best possible way, of course) to provide you with the ultimate sensory experience. See different cultures, taste new cuisines, delight in the new sounds of unfamiliar lands becoming music to your ears. And just understand, any excuse you have to just stay home are no match for her. If you have the will, she’ll find the way.
As she likes to quote, “I haven’t been everywhere, but it’s on my list.”
Sonja Love-Dewey
This former finance-fielding-radio-starring-News-promoting-corporate-marketing-web-managing-school-program-producing Jill-of-all-trades proudly owns her eclectic background.
She’s used her vast array of experience to write many a press release, create new programs, and make an impact in the education system. Furthermore, she’s most proud of her parental accomplishments, serving as the lead role model while raising three children.
She also has a serious case of wanderlust, understanding that the further you roam, the greater you understand the world at large. The most impactful journey Sonja has taken so far was embarking on a night hike up a volcano in Hawaii where she witnessed the unmistakable glow of lava pouring into the ocean under an impossibly star lit sky. Next stop: the Northern Lights of Iceland.
Wearing all these hats is perhaps what makes her a mastermind when it comes to her current endeavor: Social Media Marketing. Helping connect small businesses to their ideal clients more creatively is sort of her superpower. Combining her passion for travel, her craving to create, and desire to change the game is what makes Sonja a triple-threat! (In the best possible way, of course!)
Jo Ann McClure
A natural connector, armed with serious sales skills, Jo Ann is an influencer when it comes to hospitality. Creating the perfect hybrid between corporate professionalism and a personal pride in learning, she puts her zest for life to good use when it comes to fueling her passion for travel, expanding her list of interests, and curating unparalleled, once-in-a-lifetime experiences for clients.
Simply put, she’s a yoga-practicing, high-speed-pursuing, sales-dominating, holistic-harnessing, underdog-advocating, inclusivity-pushing, multi-faceted leader whose life ethos revolves around compassion, resilience, and the unrelenting pursuit of excellence. And these are the exact qualities she brings into everything she does, including your next adventure.
Vicki Comeau
I’ve always believed that life’s greatest gifts aren’t wrapped in paper but experienced through unforgettable journeys. Growing up, our family skipped the usual Christmas presents and opted for family trips instead. One of my most cherished memories is driving down Highway 1 and the entirety of Route 66 in my son’s ’66 Volkswagen bus with my husband. These adventures, combined with our many international trips to France, Spain, the Netherlands, Germany, and Ireland, have filled my life with stories and experiences that I treasure deeply.
From a young age, I was captivated by the idea of exploring the world. My childhood travels were often the routine road trips between South Dakota, far from scenic. However, when my own children came along, we transformed our trips between Washington and South Dakota into explorations, taking a different route each time. This love for discovery led me to the International Air Academy right out of high school, but life had other plans. Meeting my future husband changed my course, and together we’ve built a beautiful journey.
Our passion for travel is matched only by our love for creativity. My husband and I have turned our artistic talents into a successful pinstriping and lettering business. With my background in graphic design and his perfected craft, we’ve left our mark on planes, trucks, boats, motorcycles, signs, street rods, and race cars. Our dedication to drag racing has taken us up and down the West Coast and into Canada, turning race weekends into scenic road trips.
When I’m not traveling or working, you can find me hiking, gardening, painting barn quilts, or chasing after our lively dogs. My bucket list remains full, with dreams of hiking the Camino and the Alps at the top. These ambitions keep my spirit of adventure alive and fuel my passion for helping others create their own unforgettable journeys.
At Travel Unrivaled, I bring my lifetime of experiences and my boundless enthusiasm for travel to help curate epic, personalized adventures. Whether it’s finding the perfect scenic route or discovering hidden gems, I’m here to make sure every journey is as extraordinary as the destination.
Robin Murphy
Robin Murphy has been driven by these desires her entire life. Her love of travel, whether it is deep in nature or culture, is an essential part of her identity. A family trait and tradition, she believes that travel enriches, enhances, and expands the meaning of life.
She has spent her primary career in the theatre, teaching young people to reflect the human experience and to develop personal resilience and adaptability. These are also the qualities she feels are developed when one travels. One cannot set out and return the same person, no matter what excursion you take.
A speaker, workshop facilitator, and author, Robin’s essay on her first solo cross-country drive appears in Elizabeth Gilbert’s anthology, Eat. Pray. Love. Made Me Do It. She is an advocate for women’s travel, specializing in retreats and adventure for personal growth.
Robin has passed on her wanderlust to her four children who are based in New York, Colorado, California, and Oregon. She now spends her time living the nomadic life, traveling between her family and friends and continually checking of items on her bucket list.
Andrew Price
With a penchant and panache for the European and Middle East markets, Andrew is a well-traveled man who knows his niche. In fact, he’s led six international medical missions and uncovered many more tourism opportunities. He has the periscope vision to see the bigger picture, what’s around the corner, and how to make any excursion more meaningful. He uses his midwestern family values to bring purpose to everything he does and everyone he encounters.
And when he’s not on the road, he’s creating impact at home in Kansas City. Involved in local nonprofits, the Lyric Opera and the Kansas City fashion scene, being well-rounded is not just what he strives to do, but who he innately is. And he’s ready to bring that magic to your next endeavor.
Amy Robinson
At Travel Unrivaled, Amy Robinson brings luxury and style to every journey. Her life motto, “Life is a beach, so make sure you have the right shoes!” perfectly captures her approach to travel.
Amy’s passion for travel began early, sparked by a memorable trip to Europe in 1996, where she shared a flight with Princess Diana. Her adventures have since taken her from Florida to Spain, exploring destinations like the U.S. Virgin Islands, Grenada, Venezuela, and Mexico. With a degree in Tourism Management from UCM and a master’s in Business Management and Leadership from Webster University, Amy’s expertise is well-rounded and refined.
At VisitKC, Amy developed bespoke travel itineraries and led group tours, honing her ability to create unique, unforgettable experiences. Now at Travel Unrivaled, she specializes in luxurious travel packages that include shopping tours, winery visits, and cultural explorations. Her tours are personalized, ensuring each traveler’s interests and desires are met with meticulous attention to detail.
Whether you’re planning a girls’ getaway to Italy, a milestone celebration in France, or a cultural tour of Spain, Amy is here to transform your travel dreams into reality. Contact Amy today and start creating memories of a lifetime. Let’s embark on a journey where every moment is a treasure.
Brenna Goodness
A believer in the paths less traveled, and formally an Experience Designer and Planner, Brenna is brimming with Goodness. Literally. This wedding planner turned destination specialist nurtured a specialty in helping other couples wed against the most stunning backdrops the world has to offer, after hosting her own wedding in Sedona, Arizona.
This husband loving, Husky raising, forest exploring, nature immersing, wedding planning, Honeymoon creating, lover of love is the go-to girl for your next romance related rendezvous. Think Honeymoons. Destination weddings. Vow renewals. Anniversary trips. Or even a just-because-we’re-in-love-and-want-to-get-away getaway.
Whatever you can dream, Brenna can deliver.
Sherrie Ortiz
Hi, I’m Sherrie Ortiz, and I’ve always had a passion for planning trips. From organizing family vacations to coordinating Girl Scout outings, the logistics and the hunt for unique experiences have always thrilled me. I love bringing people together to relax, have fun, and explore local-ish places where we can learn how the past shapes new and exciting activities. I’m also a bit of a thrill seeker—zip lining, rappelling, and snow tubing are my go-to adventures.
My love for planning and logistics naturally led me to become a Travel Advisor. Time and again, I’ve heard from friends and family about how overwhelming the vacation planning process can be—a never-ending rabbit hole. It turns out my knack for logistics is quite the unique skill, and now I get to use it to help others. As your Travel Advisor, I’ll listen to all your dreams and desires to craft an unforgettable experience just for you.
And if you find yourself in Kansas City, MO, you can join me as a local tour guide. Whether it’s a walking tour or a bus tour, I offer curated experiences that can last from a few hours to a few days. To schedule a tour, visit Just One Day Travel Tours.
Let’s create your next great adventure together!
Proud Members of :
