That busy week included a series of meetings that took place between FCCA Member Line executives and destinations’ private and public sectors, including a meeting between FCCA Member Line CEOs and FCCA partner destinations’ ministers of tourism, in the FCCA’s booth.
FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA. – Opportunities to develop business and relationships were plentiful at Seatrade Cruise Global, and the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) helped its members maximize this potential through a series of events to develop understanding and relationships between them and key cruise executives, presidents and CEOs from its 19 Member Lines.
"The FCCA maximized time and opportunities for cruise executives and stakeholders during Seatrade Cruise Global," said Adam Goldstein, president & COO of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. and chairman of the FCCA, who was on-hand at numerous FCCA events throughout the week. "Time becomes extremely limited, and the FCCA made it possible to meet with important stakeholders throughout the Caribbean and Latin America, helping us work synergistically to improve cruise tourism in the regions."
"Our meetings and events made it possible for our partners to optimize the cruise executives gathered for Seatrade Cruise Global," said Michele Paige, president, FCCA. "We pride ourselves in bringing executives and stakeholders together to discuss crucial operational issues and develop relationships that pave the way for future business and mutual success."
The events began even before Seatrade opened, with what has become the FCCA's annual opening event. Taking place Sunday evening at the Fort Lauderdale Boatyard, it let attendees and executives meet while still fresh and planning out the busy week ahead of them.
That busy week included a series of meetings that took place between FCCA Member Line executives and destinations' private and public sectors, including a meeting between FCCA Member Line CEOs and FCCA partner destinations' ministers of tourism, in the FCCA's booth.
Exclusive networking receptions sponsored by ProColombia and Port St. Maarten also took place at the FCCA booth throughout the event, serving as a meeting point for the FCCA Platinum Members and executives who decide where ships call, what to sell onboard and how to invest in products and infrastructure.
They continued these discussions at the FCCA's off-site events, including the FCCA Welcome Aboard VIP Reception, which took place Wednesday Evening, and the the FCCA's keynote event during Seatrade Cruise Global, the open-registration 23rd annual FCCA Gala.
The Gala brought together decision makers – including Orlando Ashford, president, Holland America Line; Michael Bayley, President & CEO, Royal Caribbean International; Arnold Donald, CEO, Carnival Corporation & plc; Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, President & CEO, Celebrity Cruises; Jason Montague, President & CEO, Regent Seven Seas Cruises; Richard Sasso, Chairman, MSC Cruises (USA) Inc.; and Andy Stuart, President & CEO, Norwegian Cruise Line– with hundreds of cruise tourism stakeholders looking to maximize a unique opportunity to improve their cruise tourism business. The Gala fostered this by providing a networking reception and silent art auction with all executives and attendees, along with a private dinner hosted by a cruise executive of their choice, with a side of business development.
The FCCA coordinates events like these throughout the year to cultivate mutual understanding and benefits between its 19 Member Lines and the private and public sectors throughout the Caribbean and Latin America. Its next keynote event, the FCCA Cruise Conference & Trade Show, will join about 1,000 stakeholders and more than 100 cruise executives for a series of one-on-one meetings, workshops and networking events in Merida, Mexico from October 23-27.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
