The CLIA Cruise360 Australasia full program has been announced by Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) for this year’s sold-out conference in Sydney on Friday 30 August.
This year’s event theme ‘Embrace the Future’ will include a program that CLIA says is designed to inform, inspire, and equip travel agents so they can expand and grow their cruise business into the future.
A total of 28 industry experts will take to the stage in Sydney, including six international leaders flying in especially to share a global perspective.
“The anticipation for this year’s CLIA Cruise360 has been fantastic and we are ready to welcome a record attendance of more than 800 travel agents and industry professionals,” said Joel Katz, CLIA Managing Director in Australasia.
“Our program is designed to convert that enthusiasm into practical knowledge that will help unlock the opportunities of a thriving cruise sector,” he said.
CLIA Director of Membership & Events in Australasia Marita Nosic said the response to this year’s Cruise360 Australasia conference had been overwhelming.
“Our travel agent community has shown a huge hunger for industry insight and professional development,” said Nosic.
“The fact that our biggest ever Cruise360 has sold out shows how much passion and dedication there is among cruise-specialist travel agents,” she said.
Some of the highlights of the CLIA Cruise360 program are as follows:
State of the Industry Leaders Panel: Forces Shaping the Global and Australasian Cruise Market (insights from the regional heads of key international cruise lines)
- Moderator: James O’Loghlin
- Panellists: Peter Little, President, Carnival Australia and P&O Cruises Australia
- Gavin Smith, Vice President & Managing Director, Royal Caribbean International
- Ben Angell, Vice President & Managing Director Asia Pacific, Norwegian Cruise Line
- Deb Corbett, Chief Executive Officer Asia Pacific, PONANT
Seizing the Potential: New-to-Cruise Trends and Insights (new data and insights into the untapped markets that will drive cruising’s future growth).
- Presenters: Adam Coulter, Executive Editor, Cruise Critic; Vanessa Green, Sales Manager Australia, Cruise Critic
- Panellists: Lee Haslett, Chief Commercial Officer, Celestyal
- Jason Worth, Vice President International Sales, Oceania Cruises
- Dave Humphreys, Director of Sales, Royal Caribbean International
- Michelle Hartland, Managing Director, Champagne Travel
- Chris Watson, Business Partner, Chris Watson Travel Group
Leveraging the Experiential Travel Trend (a conversation with Conrad Combrink, Silversea Senior Vice President, Expeditions & Itinerary Management).
- Moderator: Anthony Goldman, Joint Managing Director, Goldman Group
Beyond the Cruise: Harnessing the Potential of Immersive Pre- and Post-Cruise Experiences (how to increase the value of cruise bookings through creative pre/post opportunities.)
- Moderator: Susan Haberle, Vice President of Sales, Abercrombie & Kent
- Panellists: Chantelle Lusenbrink, Tourism Development Manager, Port of Seattle
- Mike Mihajlov, Senior Director Destination Development, Holland America and Seabourn
- Meg Hill, Managing Director, Cruise Express
- Rose Febo, Personal Travel Manager, TravelManagers Australia
Unlocking the Luxury Market: Strategies for Upselling and Maximising Opportunities (a conversation with Steve Spivak, TAUCK Global Vice President of Sales and Service)
- Moderator: Robyn Sinfield, Owner Manager, Home Travel Company
The full CLIA Cruise360 Australasia program can be viewed at cruising.org.au
