Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA)

20th Annual FCCA Cruise Conference Opens Doors to over 1,000 Cruise Industry Professionals

Cartagena de Indias, Colombia (October 1, 2013) - The FCCA Cruise Conference officially opened today, attracting over 1,000 professionals from throughout the cruise industry and the private and public sectors of cruise destinations, along with anyone looking to extend their contact base, reach, knowledge and business dealings in the industry.

Conference attendees will engage in a four-day span of one-on-one meetings with the nearly 100 cruise executives in attendance, representing the 15 FCCA Member Lines and various departments, including operations, purchasing, marketing and shore excursions.

Workshops are also offered, broaching important topics and granting insight to the cruise industry from panels comprised of those that know the ins and outs-field leaders and numerous cruise executives. Topics include a state of the industry by FCCA Member Lines' CEOs and presidents; discussion of what decides itinerary planning and how to improve destinations' calls, customer satisfaction and marketability; critical elements of shore excursions' service and safety; and development of destinations' brand identity.

To complete the days, evening business functions bring the attendees and cruise executives together to foster communication between them and help develop beneficial bi-lateral working relationships.

In its 20th year, the FCCA Conference provides the best chance for entities doing business or wishing to do business with the cruise industry to increase their contact base with the cruise executives in attendance so that they can present their destination/product and learn what the cruise lines look for in terms of shore excursions, products, services and ports of call. It helps attendees establish a clear vision that will map the road to success in future dealings with the cruise industry.

The FCCA prides itself in bringing together cruise industry representatives with those looking to do business with its Member Lines. It is a symbiotic relationship between them; the more that the destinations and companies progress and learn about the industry, the more that the industry is able to grow and thrive. The FCCA promotes this mutually beneficial connection in most of its operations.

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 issues 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 and @FCCAupdates on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.