by Robin Amster
Last updated: 12:45 PM ET, Tue June 21, 2016
PHOTO: Michelle Fee, CEO of Cruise Planners, an American Express Travel Representative, is presented with the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year Award in Hospitality and Leisure by Greg Rosica, EY Entrepreneur Of The Year Program Partner at the Tampa, Florida awards ceremony on June 9, 2016. (Photo courtesy of Cruise Planners)
Michelle Fee, CEO and co-founder of Cruise Planners, an American Express Travel Representative, has won the EY Entrepreneur of The Year 2016 Award for Hospitality and Leisure in Coral Springs, Florida.
Only two female CEOs were honored at the awards program. In its 30th year, the program recognizes entrepreneurs who demonstrate excellence and extraordinary success in such areas as innovation, financial performance and personal commitment to their businesses and communities.
EY refers to the global organization-and may refer to one or more-of the member firms of Ernst & Young Global Limited.
Fee will advance to represent Cruise Planners at the EY Entrepreneur of the Year national competition later this year.
"Being recognized as the Entrepreneur of the Year is a testament to the innovation and passion that we have all put into Cruise Planners during the last 22 years," said Fee. "This award is not just about me as a leader, it's about the entire Cruise Planners family, from my fellow executives, our stellar home office team, our valued travel partners and especially each one of our franchisees."
Under Fee's leadership, Cruise Planners has grown from five franchises to more than 1,400. It's the nation's largest home-based travel franchise organization.
The company said Fee's entrepreneurial spirit has influenced each Cruise Planners franchise owner who is able to leverage Cruise Planners' strategic marketing and cutting-edge technology to grow their own travel businesses and be small business entrepreneurs themselves.
"This honor is a pinnacle in my career," Fee added. "I enjoy helping other people succeed and using my personal relationships with our franchise owners to share my travel industry knowledge and positively impact the bottom line. Interacting with our agents over the years has allowed me to take my influence beyond the office and out into the world."
For the latest travel news, updates and deals, subscribe to the daily TravelPulse newsletter.
Topics From This Article to Explore
