Expedition Cruise Network reveals speaker line-up for annual conference

The Expedition Cruise Network (ECN) has revealed the full programme for its second annual conference on September 30-October 1 in London.

On day one, panels include ’My Love Letter to Destination’, ’Expedition Cruise Leaders’ and ’Expedition Cruise Innovators’.

The first will host HX Expeditions product manager Niek van Eck, UnCruise Adventures owner and chief executive Dan Blanchard, Coral Expeditions chief executive Mark Fifield, Aqua Expeditions owner and founder Francesco Galli Zugaro, Polar Latitudes president and chief executive John McKeon and Abercrombie & Kent vice-president of cruise sales Oscar Dunn.

The second brings together Ponant group deputy chief executive of global business Belinda Hindmarsh, Atlas Ocean Voyages president and chief executive James Rodriguez, HX Expeditions managing director and vice-president of global sales engagement for Europe Nathaniel Sherborne and AECO executive director Frigg Jorgensen.

The third will see Silversea Cruises senior vice-president Conrad Combrink, HX Expeditions chief scientist Dr Verena Meraldi, join the already announced panellists UnCruise Adventures founder Blanchard, Aqua Expeditions founder Francesco Galli Zugaro and Selar chief executive Sophie Galvagnon.

The second day will have expedition cruise agency founders and chiefs discuss industry trends, with speakers including Polar Tracks Expedition chief executive Heather Thorkelson, Panache Cruises chief executive James Cole and Steppes Travel product and impact director Jarrod Kyte.

The conference will also offer one-to-one trade meetings, with 25 expedition cruise lines confirmed as exhibitors.

The 2025 ECN Awards will be held on the evening of day one on board the Thames riverboat The Dixie Queen.

ECN co-founder and chief executive Akvile Marozaite said: “We’re delighted to unveil our stellar line up of inspirational leaders, travel trade and senior trailblazers from across the cruise industry as speakers to discuss key industry topics and trends at our second conference.

“The ECN conference is the world’s leading conference that brings together travel trade professionals and expedition cruise operators to contract, discuss, debate, analyse and build valuable links and relationships, all whilst discussing the issues that matter most to this growing industry.”