  
Back
To News/PR Index
|
|
Former
Disney Travel President Kenneth Svendsen
Joins
Entertainment Cruises as New CEO
|
Chicago,
IL – January 2016 / Newsmaker Alert / Chicago-based Entertainment
Cruises, a member of Pritzker Group Private Capital’s family of companies
and the largest dining cruise company in the United States, announced the
appointment of Kenneth Svendsen as its new chief executive officer.
Svendsen,
49, joins Entertainment Cruises following nearly three decades in the entertainment,
hospitality and travel industries. Most recently, he served as president
of the Walt Disney Travel Company, an affiliate of The Disney Company (NYSE:
DIS), one of the country’s largest travel wholesalers, and served as senior
vice president of global sales, distribution, and travel operations for
Disney Destinations. Additionally, Svendsen led Customer Relationship Management
(CRM) for Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, where he focused on one-on-one
guest interactions and experiences.
Prior
to Disney, Svendsen was senior vice president and global head of sales
and reservations for Hilton Worldwide (NYSE: HLT). As the group transitioned
from a regional to a global entity, Svendsen oversaw global sales, distribution,
regional marketing, reservations, customer service and quality assurance
for the Hilton Worldwide’s global hotel portfolio.
“Having
led transformative growth at two world-renowned companies, Kenneth is a
great example of the energetic, transformative, visionary business leaders
with whom we work best,” said J.B. Pritzker, managing partner of Pritzker
Group and Chairman of Entertainment Cruises. “His collaborative, results-driven
approach will be an excellent fit for Entertainment Cruises’ commitment
to creating unforgettable memories for its guests.”
Gregg
Kaplan, Pritzker Group Private Capital’s operating partner for services
sector investing, will also serve on Entertainment Cruises’ board of directors.
“I
am excited to join Entertainment Cruises which delivers a world-class cruise
experience with unmatched views of some of our nation’s most beautiful
cities,” said Kenneth Svendsen. “I am also pleased to partner with the
Pritzkers whose proprietary capital and long term vision allow Entertainment
Cruises to continually innovate its service offering providing its customers
with exciting and memorable experiences.”
About
Entertainment Cruises
Entertainment
Cruises is the largest dining cruise company in the United States. Headquartered
in Chicago, Entertainment Cruises now serves 1.5 million guests annually
with a fleet of 30 ships in cities that include Baltimore; Boston; Chicago;
National Harbor, MD; Norfolk, VA; Philadelphia; New York; Fort Lauderdale;
Miami; Boca Raton; Palm Beach; and Washington, D.C. From luxury dining
cruises and skyline tours to speedboat excursions, Entertainment Cruises
maintains an impressive portfolio of vessels and brands which includes
Odyssey Cruises, Spirit Cruises, Mystic Blue Cruises, Bateaux New York,
Seadog Cruises, Elite Private Yachts, and Windridge Yacht Charters. The
brands are collectively defined by operational excellence, superior service,
quality entertainment, exceptional views and an unwavering commitment to
delivering high-value, high-enjoyment experiences. For more information
or to inquire about reservations, visit entertainmentcruises.com.
About
Pritzker Group
Pritzker
Group, led by Tony and J.B. Pritzker, has three principal investment teams:
Private Capital, which acquires and operates leading North America-based
companies; Venture Capital, which provides early-stage and growth venture
funding to technology companies throughout the United States; and Asset
Management, which partners with top-performing investment managers across
global public markets.
Pritzker
Group Private Capital acquires North America-based middle-market companies
with leading positions in the manufactured products, services and health
care sectors. The firm’s permanent, proprietary capital base allows for
efficient decision making, broad flexibility with transaction structure
and investment horizon, and alignment with management teams focused on
creating long-term value. Pritzker Group brings significant resources,
expertise and credibility in building businesses and is an ideal partner
for entrepreneur- and family-owned companies. For more information, visit
pritzkergroup.com.
Media
Contact:
Aileron
Communications
Martha
Arendt, 312-629-9400 |
