Azamara Club Cruises has announced the appointment of Ellen Bettridge as Vice President of Sales & Marketing, the Americas. A seasoned professional and travel industry expert, Bettridge has more than 24 years of experience in the travel management, cruise and hospitality industries, holding positions in both sales and marketing capacities.

“Azamara Club Cruises is delighted to welcome Ellen Bettridge to our team as the brand continues to redefine the cruise and destination experience,” said Larry Pimentel, President and CEO, Azamara Club Cruises. “The current team has done an outstanding job in placing Azamara in a successful position and now with Ellen onboard, her notable experience in the diverse luxury travel market, impressive leadership skills and prominent industry relationships, will help us to achieve our growth strategy.”

In her new role, Bettridge will oversee the overall sales and marketing initiatives for Azamara Club Cruise in in South, Central and North America. Her responsibilities include the development of strategic relationships with trade and marketing partners as well as the creation and implementation of long-term strategies to further grow Azamara’s markets in the Americas.

“I am thrilled to join the dynamic Azamara team and look forward to being a part of the company’s exciting future,” states Ellen Bettridge, Vice President of Sales & Marketing, the Americas, at Azamara Club Cruises. “Throughout my career I’ve had the wonderful opportunity to cultivate relationships with key trade partners and I’m confident they will prove to be a great asset for the brand.”

Previously, from April 2012 – January 2014, Bettridge served as President, Americas at Silversea Cruise Ltd., where she developed sales strategies and executed marketing campaigns in the U.S., Canada and Latin America. Prior to joining Silversea, Bettridge spent more than 20 years employed with American Express. There she began her career as a travel agent in 1990 and during her successful tenure worked from the grass roots level to a key management position as Vice President of the Retail Travel Business, where she oversaw the management of travel and financial services of 28 owned locations in the U.S. and managed 300 employees and 150 franchisee partners.