Holland America Line’s Denella Ri’chard Receives Black Meetings & Tourism Magazine’s 2019 APEX Distinguished Service Award
Senior sales team leader selected for positively impacting the travel industry
Seattle, Wash., Aug 13, 2019 — Denella Ri’chard, Holland America Line’s senior director of trade communications and engagement, received Black Meetings & Tourism (BM&T) magazine’s illustrious APEX Distinguished Service Award for 2019. Ri’chard accepted the award at a gala dinner July 27 in Miami, Florida.
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Denella Ri'chard (center) receives 2019 APEX Distinguished Service Award
BM&T called Ri’chard a change-maker at Holland America Line and selected her for the honor, citing her instrumental initiatives in developing deep and broad relationships with travel advisors and the trade through innovative technologies, trade communications, marketing, social media and training that contribute to agents’ professional development and empowers them to grow their cruise business.
“Denella is a tremendous asset to the Holland America Line sales team with her incredible passion for the cruise industry, deep knowledge of the business and infectious energy that resonates with our travel advisor partners,” said Orlando Ashford, president of Holland America Line. “Our heartfelt congratulations to Denella for receiving the APEX Award from an esteemed publication like Black Meetings & Tourism.”
The annual Black Meetings & Tourism APEX Distinguished Service Award is presented to individuals who have made outstanding contributions in their particular fields of endeavor which have positively impacted the travel industry. Arnold Donald, president and CEO of Carnival Corporation, and Ashford are past recipients of the award.
Publishing since 1994, Black Meetings & Tourism is the exclusive, African-American-owned, awarding-winning, international trade publication for and about the $56 billion-plus African-American meetings, incentives, leisure and group travel markets.
Editor’s note: Photos are available at https://www.cruiseimagelibrary.com/c/ryertfsz.
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About Holland America Line [a division of Carnival Corporation and plc (NYSE: CCL and CUK)]
Holland America Line’s fleet of 15 ships offers more than 500 cruises to more than 400 ports in 98 countries, territories or dependencies around the world. From shorter getaways to 128-day itineraries, the company’s cruises visit all seven continents, with highlights including Antarctica explorations, South America circumnavigations, exotic Australia & New Zealand and Asia voyages; two annual Grand Voyages; and popular sailings to the Caribbean, Alaska, Mexico, Canada & New England, Europe and the Panama Canal. The line welcomed Nieuw Statendam in December 2018, and the third Pinnacle Class ship, Ryndam, will be delivered in 2021.
The company's brand evolution in recent years secured its position as the leader in premium cruising. Fleetwide, the ships feature innovative initiatives and a diverse range of enriching experiences focused on destination immersion and personalized travel. Guests can expand their knowledge through exclusive partnerships with O, The Oprah Magazine and America’s Test Kitchen and at unique BBC Earth live music and on-screen experiences. Outstanding entertainment fills each evening at venues including Lincoln Center Stage, B.B. King’s Blues Club, Rolling Stone Rock Room and Billboard Onboard. The dining experience can be savored at a variety of restaurants with menus that feature selections from Holland America Line's esteemed Culinary Council, comprising world-famous chefs who design dishes exclusively for guests.