The Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), will stage the CLIA Executive Partner Conference on Monday 6th and Tuesday 7thFebruary 2017 in the heart of London. 

The new event combines CLIA’s Port & Destination and Technical & Regulatory Forums into a two-day conference taking place at London’s St. Pancras Renaissance Hotel.

It will deliver dynamic and audience generated content to more than 190 participants, including 40 Cruise Line executives.

The Port & Destination Forum on day one is a half-day session, commencing with a networking lunch. Decision-makers from cruise line port operations, destination development, shore excursion and itinerary planning departments will join CLIA Executive Partners from port authorities, port agencies, tourism and destination management organisations and related maritime professionals for high-level discussion on important matters for the port and destination community. A highlight of the day will be the new entertaining interactive session: ‘Shark Tank x CLIA’, based on the popular TV shows ‘Shark Tank’ in the US and ‘Dragon’s Den’ in the UK. It will offer a challenge between industry sharks and contestants to provide the best solutions and feedback for business proposals.

The day will conclude with an evening of networking and socialising at a cocktail reception, followed by the ‘CLIA Connect Dinner’, hosted by CLIA Europe’s new chairman, Kyriakos Anastassiadis of Celestyal Cruises and the new Secretary General of CLIA Europe, Tom Fecke.

The second day of the conference features the Technical & Regulatory Forum to provide a broad and informative update on the current issues faced by the cruise industry. Delegates will include CLIA Executive Partners belonging to the CLIA Technical & Supply Chain and Professional Services communities and cruise executives from these areas. The theme is ‘Next Generation Cruising’ and the opening joint sessions will include a survey of the current and future regulatory developments and a look at cruising in a changing environment. In the afternoon, delegates can choose between several concurrent business sessions on topics including; ship and terminal design and operations, the guest experience ashore and aboard, public health and cyber assurance and related operational risks. The Forum will conclude with sessions on the human factor in safety at sea, focusing on crew management and training, alongside an overview of procurement during a ship’s lifecycle.

“I am very excited by the great support of both our cruise line members and executive partners for the 2017 Executive Partner Conference. The conference offers an unrivalled opportunity to connect with key industry players from various segments of our community. We will also introduce innovative business sessions that will provide a great setting to discuss topics of key interest to our members and our industry,” said Bo Larsen, Senior Vice-President, strategic partnerships at CLIA. “The success of previous forums has allowed us to extend the business sessions over two consecutive days to create more focus and unique networking opportunities. I am delighted to welcome our members to London this year.”