Seatrade Europe – Cruise and River Cruise Convention, the bi-annual event for the European cruise and river cruise community, announces its awaited 2023 State of the European Cruise Industry Keynote lineup and details of its conference programme. The event will unite 300+ cruise executives and 250+ exhibitors and destinations in Hamburg, Germany 6-8 September 2023.

Kicking off the three-day event on 6 September 2023, the captivating keynote session will gather influential cruise leaders throughout Europe for a discussion inspired by this year’s conference theme – Scaling Sustainably. Moderated by Mary Bond, Group Director of Seatrade Cruise, the thought-provoking dialogue will delve into topics centered around the future of the cruise industry, encompassing current market conditions, projected growth trends, and how the industry can forge a path to sustained growth.

Left to right: Felix Eichhorn, Hervé Gastinel, Marie-Caroline Laurent, Michael McCarthy, and Wybcke Meier.

• Felix Eichhorn, President, AIDA Cruises
• Hervé Gastinel, CEO, PONANT
• Marie-Caroline Laurent, Director General, CLIA Europe
• Michael McCarthy, Chairman, Cruise Europe
• Wybcke Meier, CEO, TUI Cruises

“After a long hiatus, we are thrilled to be back in Europe and reunite the cruise community as we convene for Seatrade Europe,” says Chiara Giorgi, Global Brand and Event Director for Seatrade Cruise. “We look forward to welcoming an influential group of industry leaders to spearhead discussions under the event’s overarching theme – Scaling Sustainably. The keynote panel will serve as a compelling catalyst that sparks conversations on what lies ahead as the cruise industry continues to reinvent and expand.”

The State of the European Cruise Industry Keynote will take place from 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, 6 September 2023.

The Seatrade Europe conference programme will dive deep into how major players in the cruise industry are collectively navigating towards a sustainable future. Attendees can enjoy a line-up of discussions, presentations, and workshops that explore key topics surrounding scaling sustainably, including:

• Maximising Efficiency of Operations Shoreside
• Evolution of Itineraries
• Developing Destinations
• Harnessing Stakeholder Relationships
• Using Technology to your Advantage
• Navigating ESG Goals Industry Wide

On Thursday, 7 September, Seatrade Europe will offer a dedicated River Cruise Day, developed in collaboration with content partners and supporters River Cruise Europe & IG Rivercruise. Hearing from key players in the industry, the full day programme will spotlight the river cruise market, hearing from operators, charterers, suppliers, and destinations that play a key role in the future of river cruising in Europe, and further afield.

The programme offers an opportunity to delve into all things river cruise with discussions centering around the differences between river and ocean cruising and what makes river cruise lines and its destinations unique. Attendees can expect to understand the current state of affairs for river cruising in Europe and the outlook from industry experts on navigating the future for lasting growth.