Liz Gilbert

Director, National Accounts & Travel Industry Sales at Hornblower Cruises & Events

Hornblower Cruises & Events

About Me

Liz is the Director of Sales, National Accounts & Travel Industry Sales, for Hornblower Cruises & Events. Hornblower Cruises & Events is North America’s largest and leading provider of water-based dining, sightseeing, private charter, and transportation experiences. For almost a century, the company has continually redefined the marine hospitality industry to offer an unrivalled choice from coast to coast. An expansive portfolio of experiences are available across 19 coveted destinations such as Alexandria, Baltimore, Berkley, Boston, Chicago, Long Beach, Marina Del Rey, Norfolk, Philadelphia, National Harbor, New Jersey, New York, Newport Beach, Sacramento, San Diego, San Francisco, Washington D.C., as well as Gananoque, and Toronto in Ontario, Canada.

Liz is a 25- year Hospitality & Travel Industry veteran and has been a vocal advocate for Tours & Experiences, often touting the benefits of the sector as the “WHY” of travel. She started her career in the hospitality industry as a restaurant manager for a popular microbrewery in Chicago. She moved to New York City to be the General Manager of Chelsea Brewing Company, and later became the Sales & Marketing Manager for Jekyll & Hyde Restaurant. She joined Spirit Cruises & Bateaux New York in 2000 and has held various sales positions with the parent company for the last 19 years focused on national accounts and business development within the travel, meetings and hospitality industries.

Liz has been an active volunteer with many associations in the travel and hospitality industry. She served on the Board of Trustees for the National Tourism Foundation for NTA (now Tourism Cares); the Board of Directors for the Student Youth Travel Association; the Board of Trustees for SYTA’s Student Youth Foundation; and the Board of Directors for HSMAI, Greater New York Chapter. Her committee work includes service as Conference Chair for SYTA’s Annual Conference in New York, and Chairperson of the fundraising and Community Outreach committee of the New York chapter of HSMAI, She currently is a member of the Board of Directors for U.S. Travel’s National Council of Attractions and Experiences (NCAE).

Liz is an avid sailor, is passionate about world travel and the Chicago Cubs. Her sailing ventures include a trans-Atlantic crossing from Annapolis to Portugal and her favorite part of the world is South East Asia. She is a graduate of Michigan State University and lives with her husband and two Golden Doodles on the North Side of Chicago.

 

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