Rocky Mountaineer's Karen Hardie named one of Canada's Most Powerful Women

VANCOUVER, Nov. 23, 2016 /CNW/ - Rocky Mountaineer, the world's largest privately owned luxury tourist train, is pleased to announce that Karen Hardie, Vice President of Global Sales, has been named a 2016 Canada's Most Powerful Women: Top 100 Award Winner by the Women's Executive Network.

As an integral member of Rocky Mountaineer's executive team, Hardie has held several senior positions within the company and is currently responsible for the strategic direction and worldwide sales of Rocky Mountaineer vacations. Her international leadership experience and innovative nature have played a critical role in increasing Rocky Mountaineer's annual revenue, profitability, and overall market share.

"On behalf of Rocky Mountaineer, I congratulate Karen on her achievement. She is an incredibly deserving recipient for this award," said Steve Sammut, President of Rocky Mountaineer. "We feel extremely fortunate to have Karen on our team, with her passion for leadership and people development, as well as her international business experience in hospitality and tourism."

A strategic, inspiring, and accomplished business woman, Hardie's 30-year career path has spanned the globe, with senior positions in Canada, the United States, Australia, Hong Kong, and South Korea. Karen joined Rocky Mountaineer in 2012 as Director of Sales for the USA and, in 2013, relocated to the company's head office in Vancouver to work as Director of Global Sales Operations. Two years later, she earned a promotion to her current role as VP of Global Sales, where she restructured the business unit to increase sales, enhance efficiencies, and improve team cohesion.

About Rocky Mountaineer
Rocky Mountaineer is the world's largest privately owned luxury tourist train and, since 1990, has welcomed more than 1.7 million guests to inhale the mountain air and let nature take their breath away. Guests can choose from over 65 vacation packages and four unique rail routes, including the recently upgraded three-day Rainforest to Gold Rush rail journey, that travel through iconic destinations such as Seattle, WA, Vancouver, B.C., and the majestic Canadian Rockies in Alberta. The unparalleled experience onboard the all domed fleet offers rich, historic storytelling, world class cuisine, and a first-hand look at the vast and untouched wild beauty of Western Canada and the Pacific Northwest.  

Rocky Mountaineer is considered one of the best ways to see the Rocky Mountains, having received numerous international awards and accolades for service excellence. These honours include eight World Travel Awards for "World's Leading Travel Experience By Train" and "World's Leading Luxury Train," and being listed as one of the world's "Dream Trips" by Travel + Leisure magazine. With year-long celebrations planned for Canada's 150^th anniversary, and Lonely Planet naming Canada as the #1 Country in Best in Travel 2017, this is the ideal time to travel with Rocky Mountaineer and experience the country's vast, awe-inspiring beauty.

About the Women's Executive Network (WXN)
The Women's Executive Network inspires smart women to lead. WXN delivers innovative networking, mentoring, professional, and personal development to inform, inspire, connect, and recognize its global community of more than 22,000 women, men, and their organizations. WXN enables its partners and corporate members to become and to be recognized as employers of choice and leaders in the advancement of women.

Founded in 1997, WXN is Canada's leading organization dedicated to the advancement and recognition of women in management, executive, professional, and board roles. WXN is led by CEO Sherri Stevens, owner of the award winning, multi-million dollar Workforce Management Company Stevens Resource Group Inc., which she established in 1990. In 2008, WXN launched in Ireland, followed by London, UK in 2015, creating an international community of female leaders.

SOURCE Rocky Mountaineer

Hilary Strath, Communications Specialist, Rocky Mountaineer, Phone: [phone], Email: [email protected]; Brooklyn Lutz, Account Executive, Citizen Relations, Phone: [phone], Email: [email protected]