Ernst & Young recognizes Crystal’s CEO and President for business savvy and dedication
MIAMI, June 27, 2017 – Crystal CEO and President Edie Rodriguez was awarded top honors from Ernst & Young (EY) during its annual [{{EmailCampaignAction-Entrepreneur of the Year® Florida Awards}}]Entrepreneur of the Year® Florida Awards. The regional awards were presented during a black-tie gala in Orlando on Friday night, June 23, where Rodriguez was recognized in the Retail and Consumer Products category for excellence in innovation and personal commitment to her business and her community. Judges included past winners of the award, leading CEOs, private capital investors and other regional business leaders.
Since taking the helm of Crystal in 2013, Rodriguez has led the company through an exponential brand and fleet expansion that will see new luxury vessels on the rivers, oceans and air by 2022.
“I am humbled and proud to receive such prestigious recognition from the judges of Ernst & Young,” says Rodriguez. “The work of the Entrepreneur of the Year organization is absolutely vital to inspiring the business leaders of today and the future to continue thinking dynamically and leading with vision, and I’m honored to be a part of this process.”
EY has focused on serving the specific needs of high-growth companies and helping them develop into leaders in their respective markets. At Crystal, Rodriguez has headed a major brand and fleet expansion for Crystal, which has been dubbed by the travel and hospitality industry as the largest expansion in history for any luxury brand. She also recently increased the company’s presence in Florida growing its East Coast office by more than 40 percent, expanding from its headquarters in Los Angeles.
Rodriguez continues to take active roles in travel, hospitality and luxury industry thought leadership, helping to shape the future of travel to meet and exceed the evolving demands of the most discerning audiences. She sits on the Board of Directors for the Cruise Line Industry Association, Robb Report’s Private Aviation Board, and Air France’s Advisory Board for French Tourism.
As Crystal continues its path of tremendous expansion of its fleet – which has grown from the two award-winning, ultra-luxury ocean ships of Crystal Cruises to now comprise Crystal River Cruises, Crystal Yacht Expedition Cruises, Crystal AirCruises, Crystal Luxury Air, and will debut at least one new vessel per year by 2022 – its place as the leader in luxury travel experiences will only be further solidified.
“From the time when Crystal Cruises was two acclaimed ocean ships, to today, as we prepare to expand our fleet even further on the rivers of Europe and in the skies, the integrity of the Crystal brand has and always will be our dedication to an unsurpassed guest experience, rooted in genuine personal service.”
As the regional award winner Rodriguez will now move on the National Award for the Entrepreneur of the Year National program. Award winners in several national categories, as well as the Entrepreneur of the Year Overall National Award winner, will be announced at the Entrepreneur of the Year National Awards gala in Palm Springs, California on November 18, 2017.
By sea, river, land and air, Crystal has redefined the way the world views luxury travel. Crystal Cruises is the World’s Most Awarded Luxury Cruise Line, having earned “World’s Best Cruise Ship” in Condé Nast Traveler’s Reader Choice Awards for 23 years; been voted “World’s Best Large Ship Cruise Line” by Travel + Leisure readers for 20 years; and the “Best Luxury Cruise Line” by travel professional organization Virtuoso for three consecutive years (2014, 2015 & 2016). The newest and upcoming extensions of the celebrated Crystal brand include Crystal Yacht Expedition Cruises, Crystal Luxury Air, Crystal River Cruises – The World’s Most Luxurious River Cruise Line – Crystal AirCruises and Crystal Exclusive Class with Crystal Residences. Crystal is proud to be a platinum partner of the professionals of ASTA.
For more information and Crystal reservations, contact a travel agent, call 888.799.2437, or visit www.crystalcruises.com. Join the hundreds of thousands who follow the [{{EmailCampaignAction-Crystal Cruises’ Facebook page}}]Crystal Cruises’ Facebook page and @crystalcruises on Twitter and Instagram, and engage in the conversation with #crystalcruises.