Cruise training body Clia has revealed the speakers for its 12th annual conference in Southampton in May.
‘Generations guru’ Dr Paul Redmond, who has worked in the employment and education sector for 30 years, will address delegates about the most effective ways to interact with different age groups.
Linking to the #GenerationCruise theme of the conference, Redmond will share his knowledge on the behaviours of different generations, the graduate labour market, and how companies can establish an engaged workforce.
Other speakers are MSC Cruises chief executive Gianni Onorato, who will talk about the innovations the line has planned and the launch of MSC Bellissima in the UK next year; Chris Austin, Seabourn’s senior vice-president for global sales and marketing, who will talk about developments in the luxury sector; Harry Sommer, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings’ executive vice‑president for international business development; and Rai Caluori, Princess Cruises’ executive vice‑president for guest experience and product development.
Cindy D’Aoust, Clia president and chief executive, will open the conference on May 24 and will give an overview of 2017 Clia passenger figures. On May 25, the conference will move to Princess Cruises’ Royal Princess for the closing keynote from explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes, and the final address from Stuart Leven, Clia chairman and managing director and vice-president EMEA of Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines.
Clia senior vice-president for membership Andy Harmer said: “We wanted to showcase the variety of products out there, so we have speakers who will all bring a different perspective on how to sell more cruise. The breadth of products and ships now available also gives the potential to sell to every generation.”
A small number of tickets are still available for the conference, which runs from May 23-25.