Pembroke Pines, FL.:--- Business and relationship development hit high gear on the high seas last week. More than 150 cruise industry stakeholders from the FCCA Platinum Membership Program joined over 25 decision-making executives from FCCA Member Lines for the annual FCCA PAMAC Cruise Summit. Taking place onboard Independence of the Seas from January 13-18, the event launched mutual benefits through a series of meetings to discuss everything from industry trends and region-wide affairs to product promotion and member-specific topics, as well as networking events to further foster bilateral partnerships.
"FCCA membership events like the PAMAC Cruise Summit are essential to both the members and cruise line representatives," said Adam Goldstein, president and COO, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., and chairman, FCCA. "They join some of the industry's most influential decision-makers with significant stakeholders from the Caribbean and Latin America, which leads to positive developments for all parties."
"The FCCA PAMAC Cruise Summit fostered more mutual growth for Platinum Members and Member Line executives," said Michele Paige, president, FCCA. "Bringing together these two parties lets them better understand each other, along with all current happenings and offerings, in order to synergistically grow and improve."
The Summit's itinerary sparked this synergy through features ranging from sit-down dinners to one-on-one meetings between Platinum Members and cruise executives of their choice.
In addition to the one-on-one meetings, the long-standing PAMAC Meeting brought together the entire group to discuss operations and developments, with select Platinum Members giving presentations on topics such as the rebuilding efforts to reopen destinations for tourism after Hurricanes Irma and Maria. It also included input from the panel of Member Line executives leading the meeting, including Albino Di Lorenzo, vice president, cruise operations, MSC Cruises (USA) Inc.; Steve Moeller, vice president, commercial development, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd.; Carlos Torres de Navarra, vice president, commercial port operations, Carnival Cruise Line; Federico González-Denton, associate vice president, government relations, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.; and Arnaldo Zanonato, senior manager, port adventures, Disney Cruise Line.
Cruise executives even got into the mix with their own presentations. Di Lorenzo shared MSC Cruises' unique DNA that has been the building blocks for 800 percent growth in its first 10 years and can be linked with the group to create mutual success, and Sarah Dayboll, sustainability manager for Carnival Cruise Line, discussed the 2018 EU monitoring, reporting and verification regulations, and how they will affect the group.
Plus, evening receptions offered ample networking opportunities, and tours-from exploring Mayan ruins in Costa Maya to swimming with dolphins at Dolphinaris in Cozumel-provided close encounters with not only the dolphins, but also with each other in order to build stronger relationships. Additionally, the networking events and tours helped the group better understand the cruise product and destination experience from a passenger's perspective.
This event is one of many that the FCCA coordinates for its Platinum Members and Member Lines to stay at the forefront of information about both the industry and members' companies and destinations, while developing bilateral relationships that lead to success for all. Platinum Members and Member Line executives will next come together in March at the FCCA's private events during Seatrade Cruise Global, as well as the open-registration FCCA Gala featuring a networking reception and sit-down dinner with attendees' pre-selected executives, including presidents and CEOs.
FCCA Press Release
