
“This is the only event in the region that puts any attendee in direct contact with cruise executives that can drive business,” said Micky Arison, Chairman, Carnival Corporation & plc.and FCCA.
“We are proud of this event’s continued success for attendees and so many throughout the Caribbean, Central and South America, and Mexico,” said Michele Paige, CEO, FCCA. “The FCCA Cruise Conference & Trade Show has been the birthplace of everything from new tours to entire destination developments, so we are excited about what this year can bring for our destination partners.”
FCCA will build on the new format focused on one-on-one meetings and workshops that launched last year and featured a record number of one-on-one meetings – with 652 held at the event: 600 between delegates and cruise executives and 52 between cruise company presidents/CEOs and government leaders. Any preregistered delegate can schedule a series of 15-minute meetings with participating executives to pitch their product and receive individualized input, with the FCCA Cruise Conference & Trade Show being the only event in the region offering this direct contact with cruise executives, and FCCA is also coordinating private meetings for its destination partners.
The agenda is already being penciled in for the event’s main meeting, the Heads of Government Meeting, where Ministers of Tourism will join presidents and above from FCCA Member Lines to discuss issues regarding the region, with it open to any suggested topics. Currently on the table are an increase in summer traffic and passenger/crew spending, better experiences, investment opportunities and development of new ports.
A series of workshops led by cruise executives and experts will also headline the event. While still in planning, one will give the spotlight to attending presidents and above from FCCA Member Lines, and a few have already confirmed attendance:
- Michael Bayley, President & CEO, Royal Caribbean International
- David Herrera, President, Norwegian Cruise Line
- Richard Sasso, Chairman, MSC Cruises USA
- Josh Weinstein, President & CEO & Chief Climate Officer, Carnival Corporation & plc
More information, including workshop topics and panelists, will be released shortly. Registration and updates are available at www.FCCAConference.com.