Dan Sten Olsson to Receive 2011 Int. Golden Compass Award

Seafarer's House is pleased to announce that this years International Golden Compass award will go to Dan Sten Olsson (pictured), Managing Director and CEO of The Stena Group. The award will be presented at the annual gala to benefit Seafarer's House at Port Everglades.

Plans are underway for the 2011 International Golden Compass Award Dinner. The annual black tie gala will be held on Saturday, May 7, 2011 at the Hyatt Regency Pier 66 Resort in Fort Lauderdale and will feature a lively evening of dining and dancing with both silent and live auctions. Benefiting the mission of Seafarers' House at Port Everglades, the annual celebration honors the work of individuals who have achieved distinction in the maritime world, those whose avocation or vocation has been the sea or those who have ministered to or otherwise assisted seafarers. This annual award dinner and gala is a premier social event for the South Florida business and maritime community.

The event this year honors Mr. Dan Sten Olsson, Managing Director and CEO of The Stena Group. The event is chaired by Mr. Michael Hopkins, Vice President, Operations L.A. of Crowley Liner Services teamed with Auction Committee Chair Ms. Maureen Orts, Assistant Manager, Shore Operations, Holland America Line. Sixth Star Entertainment will add its own brand of fun and sparkle to our evening and we are delighted that our MC will be Kristi Krueger, of WPLG Channel 10 and that Bill Panoff, Publisher of Porthole Magazine returns this year as our Live Auctioneer.

Dan Sten Olsson is from Gothenburg, Sweden, where for many generations the Olsson family has forged its livelihood from the sea. Dan's father, Sten Allan Olsson, founded Stena AB and Stena Metall AB, the core of the Stena group of companies.

Dan joined the Stena companies in 1972, becoming Deputy Managing Director of Stena AB in 1978 and then Managing Director and CEO in 1984. The family-owned business, has become a leader in the shipping industry under Dan's direction, and now known collectively as the Stena Sphere, the group owns and operates more than 100 ships, making it the largest such company in Sweden. With over 230 sites for recycling, it is also the biggest recycler in the Nordic countries. Consumers are served by one of the world's leading ferry companies - Stena Line.

Today Dan is both CEO of the Stena Sphere and its major shareholder, as well as chairman of most Stena Sphere companies. Operations are split among three main entities: Stena AB with ferry lines, tanker operation, offshore drilling, real estate and financial interests; Stena Metall AB, active in recycling, trade and related finance; and Stena Sessan AB handling shipping, real estate and investments. Stena trades in the US under the names Stena Bulk Inc, Stena Metal Trading Inc and Sessan Properties Inc.

A community leader, mentor and philanthropist, Dan generously shares his considerable expertise through his role as Chairman of the Swedish Shipowners' Association and as member of the Alliance for Global Sustainability. In 2005, Dan was awarded the King's Medal for contributing to the development of Swedish society in terms of business, sustainable values and charity.

For information on how to become a sponsor or underwriter for the event, or to obtain tickets, call Seafarers' House at 954-734-1580 or visit www.seafarershouse.org.