BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 16, 2006--Grand Circle Corporation Chairman and CEO Alan E. Lewis last night accepted the New England Ernst & Young's Entrepreneur of the Year Award at the Boston Park Plaza Hotel in Boston, Massachusetts. Lewis won the award in the "Social" category that recognizes leaders for outstanding philanthropic efforts and contributions to society.

Lewis and Grand Circle have won several awards for its philanthropic work. In March 2006, Grand Circle received the Committee to Encourage Corporate Philanthropy's (CECP) "Excellence" Award for philanthropic leadership and innovation--the sole winner in the under $3B in sales category. Established in 1999 by Paul Newman (Newman's Own) and Ken Derr (formerly of Chevron, Corp.), the CECP recognizes outstanding CEO commitment, dedication to measurement, and innovation in corporate philanthropy, with past winners including such companies as GE, Novartis, Pfizer, Hasbro, Target, Whole Foods, IBM, and Timberland.

Last month, Grand Circle received the 2006 Tanzanian Tourism Humanitarian Award for the company's support of local schools as part of the company's "World Classroom Initiative", a 5-year, $10 million program launched in 2004 that supports more than 80 schools around the world and which offers Grand Circle travelers the chance to connect with local children in more than 30 countries.

"I am delighted to receive this award for Grand Circle's philanthropic efforts," said Lewis. "I believe the 21st century's outstanding business leaders will be men and women who understand that corporate philanthropy is much greater than commerce, although it greatly supports it. Each of us wants to be part of something bigger than ourselves, and the companies that can connect their associates to that basic need will be the ones that thrive," he said. "Great business leaders will teach their associates how to give back and, by doing so, will build a work force that is loyal and committed. Great leaders will not limit service and philanthropy to their headquarters, but will extend their vision to each city or country where they do business, and in every office where they employ people."

Having been personally involved in philanthropy for years, in 1992 Lewis and his wife, Harriet, established the Grand Circle Foundation, a non-profit organization funded through the profits of Grand Circle Corporation, a $650 million organization that offers more than 100 international vacation choices to Americans over 50. To-date, the Grand Circle Foundation has donated or pledged more than $35 million to humanitarian, cultural, and environmental endeavors in Boston and around the world.

In addition to funding, Grand Circle offers associates in Boston and 45 offices around the world the opportunity to get involved in volunteerism through the company's Community Service Team. Run by associates and funded through profits, the Community Service Program organizes more than 30 volunteer projects in Boston and around the world each year. In 2005, 94% of associates participated in service. Events range from an annual, all-day home repair project in inner city Boston that draws more than 250 Grand Circle associates, friends and families to 15 associates and guides trekking out to an impoverished Andean village in Peru to distribute food and Christmas gifts to the Hong Kong office's baking traditional moon pies with isolated seniors during an annual Fall harvest festival.

To maximize resources and measure performance, Grand Circle operates a Community Advisory Group of 15 long-term nonprofit partners to share resources and develop best practices, and associates evaluate efforts through a semi-annual "report card" through which they grade the company's performance around social responsibility and other key areas and recommend improvements.

In 2005, Grand Circle made the Boston Business Journal's "Best Places to Work" list in the "large company" division. Other awards include the Neurofibromatosis Cornerstone Award (2004), the Thompson Island Outward Bound North Star Award (2004), UNESCO World Heritage Centre Partners in Conservation Program (2003), the Aids Action Corporate Partner Award (2002), Big Sister Association Achievement Award (2001), Shelter, Inc. Recognition Award (2001), the Hero of Philanthropy Award (2000) by the New England Society of Fundraising Executives, and others.

"A company is only as good as its people," said Lewis, "and I am honored to accept this award on behalf of Harriet and our outstanding group of associates here and Boston and around the world who work hard every day to help change people's lives."

About Grand Circle Corporation:

Established in 1958, Grand Circle is the leading U.S. provider of international vacations for Americans over 50, with headquarters in Boston and 45 offices worldwide. It owns and operates a fleet of 50 ships, including 16 river ships, eight canal barges, the ocean-going M/S Paul Gauguin, a Galapagos Isles expedition vessel, as well as privately chartered yachts and motor cruisers. Grand Circle was named to Conde Nast Traveler's 2006 Gold List of the world's best cruise lines. Its OAT brand has been voted among the top 15 Tour Operators/Safari Outfitters in Travel + Leisure's "World's Best Awards" for four years running. The company offers more than 100 extended stay vacations, escorted tours, river cruises, barge trips, ocean cruises, and adventure programs and this year expects to serve 220,000 older Americans.

About Ernst & Young's Entrepreneur Of The Year Program

The Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year awards program celebrates its 20th anniversary this year and continues to recognize the leaders and visionaries who are creating and building world-class businesses. Recognized globally, the award provides a unique way of encouraging entrepreneurial activity and recognizing the contribution of outstanding men and women who inspire others with their vision, leadership and achievement. As the first and only global award of its kind, Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year celebrates those who are building and leading successful, growing, and dynamic business, recognizing them through regional, national, and global awards programs in over 115 cities and more than 30 countries.

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