The full roster of general sessions, ship inspections, 30 workshop options and industry certification programs on offer at Travel Weekly's CruiseWorld event this fall is now available at www.cruiseworldshow.com.
Attendees at CruiseWorld, to be held Nov. 9 through 11 in Fort Lauderdale, will be able to earn CLIA credits, Special Needs Group and Hawaii Specialist certification and gain hands-on workshop training from nearly a dozen suppliers. Travel agent peers will lead a series of breakout sessions, including Mastering a Market Segment, Marketing Your Business, The Business of Selling Travel and The Awesome Side of What You Do.
"The news about the rising value and importance of travel advisers has been so encouraging this year," said Alicia Evanko-Lewis, senior vice president of events for Northstar Travel Group, which owns Travel Weekly and CruiseWorld. "We want to expand on that theme during CruiseWorld and intend to celebrate the awesomeness of the profession and help our attendees gain momentum, enthusiasm, education and critically important industry connections.
"We want to showcase the opportunities that abound in the travel marketplace," she added. "We are thrilled to welcome more than 150 travel suppliers to our Exhibitor Showcase, nearly a dozen of the industry's leading cruise ships for inspection and a wealth of opportunities to network with and learn from some of the most successful travel advisers in the business."
Travel Weekly editor in chief Arnie Weissmann will lead a one-on-one discussion each day with CEOs of major cruise companies. Nov. 9 will kick off with Arnold Donald, CEO of Carnival Corp. Nov. 10 will highlight Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. on the day it christens its newest and biggest ship, the Harmony of the Seas. And Nov. 11 will begin with Frank Del Rio, president and CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings.
Panel discussions will bring nearly 20 additional industry leaders to the stage, including presidents of host agencies, cruise lines, tour operators, river cruise companies and senior sales and marketing executives throughout the industry.
Leaders of host agencies Avoya Travel, an American Express Travel Representative; Nexion; Cruise Planners, an American Express Travel Representative; Dream Vacations/Cruise One and Cruises Inc.; and Gifted Travel Network will share their take on what makes selling travel an amazing career choice. On Nov. 10, Meet the Masterminds will look at what works in sales, marketing, entrepreneurship and leadership. Confirmed panelists include Vicki Freed, Royal Caribbean International's senior vice president for sales and trade support and service; Ken Muskat, executive vice president for sales, PR and guest services at MSC Cruises USA; Adolfo Perez, vice president for trade and sales marketing at Carnival Cruise Line; Nathan Hickman, vice president for key accounts at Norwegian Cruise Line; Dondra Ritzenthaler, Celebrity Cruises' senior vice president of sales; and John Chernesky, Princess Cruises and Cunard Line's vice president of North American sales.
For the closing day's general session, Weissmann will lead the Presidents' Panel, which includes John Delaney of Windstar Cruises, Christine Duffy of Carnival Cruise Line, Edie Rodriguez of Crystal Cruises, Rick Sasso of MSC Cruises USA and Andy Stuart of Norwegian Cruise Line.
CruiseWorld, held at the Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center in Port Everglades enables attendees to experience the port firsthand, one of the most important cruise ports in the country; last year nearly 4 million passengers sailed from Port Everglades on 39 ships. Ship inspections will be offered in Port Everglades on Nov. 8 and in Port Everglades and PortMiami on Nov. 12 and 13.
CruiseWorld is once again offering its Select Travel Advisor Recognition (STAR) program. The core component of the STAR Program is a series of meetings scheduled between exhibiting suppliers and prequalified travel advisers who are committed to business growth. Agents who are accepted into the STAR program will receive complimentary registration and hotel accommodation for two nights. Those spots are filling quickly, with more than half already committed.
Visit www.cruiseworldshow.com. Summer registration includes a $50 discount through Aug. 31 and early access to ship inspection opportunities.