CLIA has this week given its record number of Cruise360 attendees even more reason to be buoyed, with the major cruise body revealing a new list of heavy hitters who will take part in panel discussions and speeches.
Vice President of Global Sales, Tauck, Steve Spivak, will be among the speakers, with CLIA describing the senior executive as an authority in global sales across resorts and cruise.
Spivak will drill down on the best ways to unlock the luxury market, including strategies for upselling and maximising opportunities.
The American luxury operator has made no secret of its ambitions to increase its presence in the Australian market following the pandemic, which has included lifting its trade profile.
CLIA has also secured the services of Conrad Combrink, Senior Vice President, Expeditions, Destination & Itinerary Management, for Silversea.
“An expedition leader who has travelled to the farthest corners of the globe, Conrad now designs extraordinary experiences for guests,” CLIA noted.
Combrink will also use the Cruise360 forum to explain how to capitalise on growing demand for experiential travel, focusing on destinations, culture and local sourcing.
The luxury cruise line has recently made great strides to contemporise its high-end appeal with a younger demographic, typified with the launch of its two Nova class vessels, Silver Nova and Silver Ray.
Chief Commercial Officer for Celestyal Cruises, Lee Haslett, will also join the marquee cruise gathering, where he is expected to deliver insights about how best to unlock the potential of new-to-cruise clients, including how to overcome common misperceptions.
Haslett leads a global team of over 100 travel professionals across the full spectrum of commercial activities.
David Tanguay, Global Head of Sales for Aurora Expeditions, has also been named, with the experienced cruise and hotel executive to provide tips about how to leverage emerging cruise trends and how best to embrace the shifting tides and unlock new growth.
The final name unveiled this week was Chantelle Lusebrink, the Tourism Development Manager for the Port of Seattle.
She brings experience from across the tourism, hospitality, and food and beverage industries to Cruise360, and is passionate about building community coalitions to advance economic vitality.
CLIA said Lusebrink will join a panel discussion on how to harness the potential of immersive pre- and post-cruise experiences.
Together, the cruise execs will shed more light on emerging cruise trends, new-to-cruise clients, luxury cruising, expeditions, experiential travel, shore experiences, and more.
“Our aim this year is to not only give delegates a clear understanding of how cruising is evolving, but also equip them with practical advice that will allow them to reach new markets and lift their cruise sales,” CLIA Managing Director in Australasia, Joel Katz, said.
“Our international speakers are all highly respected leaders with an enormous amount of experience, making this year’s Cruise360 a fantastic opportunity to learn and be inspired.”
Cruise360 Australasia will be held at the International Convention Centre (ICC) Sydney on Friday 30 August, with full program details to be announced in coming weeks.
Tickets are now sold out.
