Pembroke Pines, FL:--- Last week Cozumel, Mexico hosted nearly 1,000 delegates, exhibitors and executives for the FCCA Cruise Conference & Trade Show-the largest cruise conference in the Caribbean and Mexico and one of the best ways to target the cruise industry and maximize its benefits.
"The FCCA Cruise Conference & Trade Show put cruise tourism stakeholders in the middle of the action," said Micky Arison, chairman of Carnival Corporation & plc and the FCCA. "It offered unique and invaluable opportunities to gain insight and develop relationships and business with some of the industry's most influential players."
The four-day event offered meetings, workshops and networking functions with more than 100 cruise line executives who influence where ships call, what sells onboard and how to invest in destination products and infrastructure.
The Conference's business sessions targeted these executives during one-on-one meetings pre-selected by attendees to allow for private promotions and presentations, along with personalized input.
"The one-on-one meetings allowed for us to learn about new developments and products and help fine-tune them to best fit the cruise lines," told Federico Gonzalez-Denton, associate vice president, government relations for Latin America and the Caribbean, Royal Caribbean Cruises Limited (RCCL).
A schedule of workshops also shared the prestigious audience's insight. Cruise line CEOs hosted a roundtable discussion to directly answer attendees' questions, and cruise line leaders also discussed topics including creating and maintaining a successful tour product; developing infrastructure and destination products; and increasing cruise tourism through a unified vision, collaboration between private and public sectors, and continual product development and innovation.
The Trade Show captured the attention of the prominent audience with Conference delegates and cruise executives entering and traveling through to access their meetings, workshops, business sessions and registration. It also featured designated viewings for cruise executives, as well as special events like the FCCA Table Tennis Challenge hosted by Adam Goldstein, president and COO of RCCL.
Plus these key players interacted with Conference delegates and Trade Show exhibitors during nightly social functions geared to promote networking while displaying Mexico's culture, gastronomy and destination product.
"The FCCA appreciates Cozumel's and the entire country's efforts and commitment to making the 22nd annual FCCA Conference & Trade Shows one of the best events yet," said Michele Paige, president of the FCCA. "It pulled out all the stops to woo the cruise executives and attendees, allowing all to see the offerings of and dedication to cruise tourism that have led it to resurging as one of the world's leading cruise destinations."
About the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association
Created in 1972, the FCCA is a not-for-profit trade organization that provides a forum for discussion on tourism development, ports, safety, security, and other cruise industry issue and builds bilateral relationships with destinations' private and public sectors. By fostering an understanding of the cruise industry and its operating practices, the FCCA works with governments, ports and private sector representatives to maximize cruise passenger, crew and cruise line spending, as well as enhance the destination experience and increase the amount of cruise passengers returning as stay-over visitors. For more information, visit F-CCA.com, the FCCA on Facebook, and @FCCAupdates on Twitter.
