Black Meetings & Tourism - GERDIA EXINOR A HARD-WORKING STANDOUT AT ROSEN HOTELS & RESORTS

Industry Briefs
GERDIA EXINOR A HARD-WORKING STANDOUT AT ROSEN HOTELS & RESORTS
For more than 25 years, Gerdia Exinor has called Orlando's Rosen Hotels & Resorts home. And home is where her heart is. Now the Global Travel Industry Sales Manager at Rosen Plaza, Exinor's road to the hospitality industry was quite unconventional. Born in Miami to Haitian parents, Exinor was just a toddler when her family realized there were better work opportunities for them in Orlando than in South Florida. They moved to Winter Garden and this began Exinor's Central Florida journey. From an early age, Exinor knew she wanted to eventually have a job helping people. Nurturing was in her nature. So, after high school she went to college to study nursing. She had to work her way through college so she started working in guest relations at Rosen Hotels & Resorts. Balancing life, school, and full-time work at what is now the Rosen Inn Lake Buena Vista proved to be a challenge. But working hard is in Exinor's DNA. "I had to work, starting college and making my way through the independent world. I had bills to pay and I did not want to put that on my parents," Exinor said. As she learned nursing, Exinor learned the hotel business and when an opportunity arose to work at the front desk at Rosen Plaza, she jumped. The change proved valuable as the management teams at both locations supported and encouraged her. It was the first of many promotions for Exinor who went from the front desk to reservations to leisure accounts and even group housing; all while continuing to work her way through nursing school. Then, Exinor's life took a turn. Now married, she noticed that the nursing school's clinical training was impacting her positivity and passion for life. "Being around people who were sick, and in some cases dying, I noticed a change in my eating and sleeping habits," Exinor said. "Even though my professors loved me and my patients loved me, I realized I would be happier helping people in hospitality versus hospitals." So, she dove head-first into hospitality at Rosen Hotels & Resorts. The experiences were exactly what she needed. "From day one, I received support from people throughout the company," Exinor said. "Every time I was seeking growth and wanting to learn more, my supervisors and managers encouraged my development. I was always pushed to new areas, given new assignments and my success led to better opportunities. Leadership has always been supportive of my growth and I hold that in high regard." Growth is exactly what Exinor witnessed firsthand over the last quarter century. Orlando blossomed into a tourism and meetings mecca. Along the way Exinor received multiple awards, including Manager of the Year, and served on the Visit Orlando Membership Committee. Sadly, her friend, mentor and company founder, Mr. Harris Rosen, passed away in November of 2024. But he left an indelible mark on Exinor. "He knew everyone by name, he would call everyone on their birthday, that was priceless. You don't get that anywhere." Exinor's passion for helping people continues to thrive at Rosen Plaza. "I absolutely love my clients. I love working with people all over the world," Exinor said. "I was at an event recently and I was telling people that I had been with Rosen for 25 years. They were stunned, because in our industry people move frequently. I'm really blessed. I'm so excited about the future of Rosen Hotels & Resorts. We are still taking big strides and our commitment to providing the ultimate in guest service will always be our promise and our top priority."

Industry Briefs

GERDIA EXINOR A HARD-WORKING STANDOUT AT ROSEN HOTELS & RESORTS

For more than 25 years, Gerdia Exinor has called Orlando's Rosen Hotels & Resorts home. And home is where her heart is.

Now the Global Travel Industry Sales Manager at Rosen Plaza, Exinor's road to the hospitality industry was quite unconventional.

Born in Miami to Haitian parents, Exinor was just a toddler when her family realized there were better work opportunities for them in Orlando than in South Florida. They moved to Winter Garden and this began Exinor's Central Florida journey.

From an early age, Exinor knew she wanted to eventually have a job helping people. Nurturing was in her nature. So, after high school she went to college to study nursing. She had to work her way through college so she started working in guest relations at Rosen Hotels & Resorts. Balancing life, school, and full-time work at what is now the Rosen Inn Lake Buena Vista proved to be a challenge. But working hard is in Exinor's DNA. "I had to work, starting college and making my way through the independent world. I had bills to pay and I did not want to put that on my parents," Exinor said.

As she learned nursing, Exinor learned the hotel business and when an opportunity arose to work at the front desk at Rosen Plaza, she jumped. The change proved valuable as the management teams at both locations supported and encouraged her. It was the first of many promotions for Exinor who went from the front desk to reservations to leisure accounts and even group housing; all while continuing to work her way through nursing school.

Then, Exinor's life took a turn. Now married, she noticed that the nursing school's clinical training was impacting her positivity and passion for life. "Being around people who were sick, and in some cases dying, I noticed a change in my eating and sleeping habits," Exinor said. "Even though my professors loved me and my patients loved me, I realized I would be happier helping people in hospitality versus hospitals."

So, she dove head-first into hospitality at Rosen Hotels & Resorts. The experiences were exactly what she needed. "From day one, I received support from people throughout the company," Exinor said. "Every time I was seeking growth and wanting to learn more, my supervisors and managers encouraged my development. I was always pushed to new areas, given new assignments and my success led to better opportunities. Leadership has always been supportive of my growth and I hold that in high regard."

Growth is exactly what Exinor witnessed firsthand over the last quarter century. Orlando blossomed into a tourism and meetings mecca. Along the way Exinor received multiple awards, including Manager of the Year, and served on the Visit Orlando Membership Committee. Sadly, her friend, mentor and company founder, Mr. Harris Rosen, passed away in November of 2024. But he left an indelible mark on Exinor. "He knew everyone by name, he would call everyone on their birthday, that was priceless. You don't get that anywhere."

Exinor's passion for helping people continues to thrive at Rosen Plaza. "I absolutely love my clients. I love working with people all over the world," Exinor said. "I was at an event recently and I was telling people that I had been with Rosen for 25 years. They were stunned, because in our industry people move frequently. I'm really blessed. I'm so excited about the future of Rosen Hotels & Resorts. We are still taking big strides and our commitment to providing the ultimate in guest service will always be our promise and our top priority."