Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association’s 9th Annual Gala Raises
Funds for the Caribbean
March 18, 2003
Pembroke Pines, FL. – (March 18, 2003) – More than 500 cruise industry partners and top cruise executives joined the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) at the American Airlines Arena for the 9th Annual Gala Dinner Extravaganza on March 6th, 2003. This year’s Gala raised almost $200,000 to distribute to worthy causes in the Caribbean through its’ Foundation. The FCCA Foundation for the Caribbean serves as a tangible vehicle for the cruise industry to participate in the effort to improve the lives of Caribbean citizens through its funding of humanitarian and social causes. The Foundation has impacted the lives of thousands of Caribbean citizens providing more than $2 million in funding to causes and charities throughout the region.
The evening celebrations began with a cocktail reception on the East Plaza of the Arena, overlooking the Port of Miami. Guests eagerly placed their bids on the silent art auction items, sponsored by Park West Gallery and Cruise Management International, who donated over 100 pieces of magnificent artwork by artists such as Peter Max, Salvador Dali, Tarkay and many more.
Guests were escorted to center court of the Arena which was transformed into a elegant dining atmosphere, with cruise industry partners and top cruise executive spending the evening exchanging views and ideas while dining in a social atmosphere. "The FCCA Gala offered me a unique Cruise Industry opportunity to represent Cunard Line among important supplier colleagues, in an elegant and enjoyable environment while also supporting the FCCA charities,” G. Alberto Aliberti, Manager, Shore Excursions, Cunard Line.
During dinner Howard Frank, Vice Chairman & COO, Carnival Corporation, gave the opening remarks and thanked the FCCA for its dedication to this worthy cause. He also emphasized gratitude to the guests for their continued support. Security Operations Committee Chairman, Stephen A. Nielsen, VP, Caribbean & Atlantic Shore Operations, Princess Cruises, gave a special tribute to Michael Ronan, Associate VP, Destination Development, Royal Caribbean International for this chairmanship of the Security Operations Committee during the past two years. Mr. Nielsen presented an educational scholarship of $2,500 each to both first place winners of the 2003 Foundation’s Environmental Poster Competition, Israel Singer (senior division) from St. Maarten and Samuel Barry (junior division) from Dominica. Cheryl Lee, Director of Fund Raising & Marketing Development, Special Olympics – Caribbean, accepted an FCCA donation of $25,000 along with Don Stephens, Founder/CEO, Mercy Ships who also received $20,000. The Port of Miami and the Miami Convention & Visitor’s Bureau were honored as this year’s event sponsors. The Dan Leslie Entertainers provided a splendid evening of dancing entertainment.
“The Foundation’s good works provide an excellent mechanism for the cruise industry to show their commitment to its destination partners by assisting worthy causes in their destinations,” said Michele M. Paige, President, FCCA.
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