The
convention, due to take place at Parc Chanot, Marseille, on 27-29
November 2012, hosted by Marseille Provence Cruise Club, will see the
widest range of industry suppliers, destinations and cruise
lines come together to discuss issues facing the
region in terms of efficiency and environment and its future
continued growth.
As
the Mediterranean
cruise market continues to go from strength to
strength with some 171 cruise
ships active in its waters during 2011, carrying a
potential four million passengers on 2,958 cruises*, soaring demand
for the Mediterranean has made it the second most popular cruise
destination after the Caribbean.
Seatrade
Med provides the ideal business platform for all participants to
engage and generate business opportunities, through a high-level
conference programme, showcase exhibition, travel agent training
sessions and social networking events. Now in its ninth edition, the
2012 event is shaping up nicely.
The
conference
This
year’s conference sessions will hear from over 45 industry experts
as they discuss eight of the most prominent topics within the
industry including: The Mediterranean Market, Upscale Cruising,
Waterfront Development, Cruise Ship and Superyacht Building and
Refurbishment, Cruise
Line and Port Interactions, Cruise Ship Technology –
Efficiency and the Environment, Air Lift and Train Lift –
Developing Transport Links and Itinerary and Shorex Development.
The
opening session of the conference, ‘The Mediterranean Market’,
will focus on the region as a cruise destination, its current health,
upcoming challenges and the opportunities for geographical and
seasonal expansion. Jacques Truau, President, Marseille Provence
Cruise Club will deliver a welcome, whilst the keynote address will
be by Manfredi Lefebvre d’Ovidio, Chairman, European
Cruise Council (ECC), and Chairman, Silversea
Cruises. Presentations will be delivered by five of the most
influential people from within the industry, Kerry Anastassiadis,
CEO, Louis Cruises;
David
Dingle, CEO, Carnival UK; Gianni Onorato, President, Costa Cruises;
Dominic Paul, Vice President & Group MD, Europe, Middle East and
Africa, Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises & Azamara
Cruises, & Managing Director, Royal Caribbean
Cruises Limited; Domenico Pellegrino, Managing
Director, MSC Cruises.
Seatrade
Chairman, Chris Hayman commented “The conference sessions provide
the perfect opportunity for our delegates to get involved in the
discussions. They can ask the questions they need to move their
businesses forward within this sector. All our speakers are experts
within their area and offer invaluable knowledge on the industry.”
Showcase
exhibition and travel agent training
Running
parallel to the conference programme is the showcase exhibition,
featuring a diverse range of products and services from hotel and
leisure supplies to regional ports and destinations. New to the
exhibition this year are two areas, a New Supplier Zone and
International Superyacht Pavilion, featuring SYRREN and its
one-to-one business appointment system. Daniel Read, Director, Cruise
Portfolio, UBM Live commented “the two new features on the
exhibition floor this year are a great asset to the event. It's great
to see new suppliers to the industry realising its potential, and as
cruise within the Mediterranean continues to grow, Seatrade Med is
the perfect place for these companies to capitalise on the
opportunities available”. The exhibition floor provides the ideal
platform to learn about new innovations and engage with industry
colleagues old and new.
The
travel agent training sessions organised by Marseille Provence Cruise
Club’s Top Cruise, will take place on Tuesday 27th November,
providing local travel agents with the opportunity to broaden their
industry knowledge.
Networking
and business opportunities
Seatrade
Med provides an abundance of networking and business opportunities
throughout the event, and with 30 different cruise lines /
operators already confirmed to attend it’s easy to see why.
The
social events during the evening provide a relaxed way to network
with industry colleagues. The welcome reception will see the
presentation of the sixth Seatrade Insider Cruise Awards, whilst the
Gala Dinner on the last night will feature wine
tasting from the region.
Discover
Marseille, France’s leading Cruise Port
Attending
Seatrade Med provides an excellent opportunity for participants to
discover Marseille, European
Capital of Culture 2013.
Over
the years Marseille has become a major gateway for Mediterranean
cruises as a port of embarkation as well as a port of call. It has
maintained its position as the top French cruise port with 382 calls
and 810,000 passengers in 2011, an increase of 16% compared to 2010.
A massive urban development taking place around the port and the
creation of a new terminal dedicated to the operations of two ships
with turnaround passengers, something which will assist in the port’s
aspirations to reach one million passengers by 2013.
Seatrade
Med provides the perfect platform to engage with key personnel from
within the cruise industry and develop the contacts and knowledge
needed to grow with the Mediterranean cruise market.
Delegate places are still available, for more information on
attending as a delegate or visitor please contact Lindsay Cooper,
Cruise Marketing Manager on +44 1206 545121 or visit seatrade-med.com
