Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association Linked Cruise Industry Executives and Stakeholders during Cruise Shipping Miami

During 2013 Cruise Shipping Miami, the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) offered numerous additional opportunities for cruise industry executives and stakeholders to renew or create business partnerships, cultivate ideas and tackle crucial issues.

As with everything in which the FCCA participates, one of the FCCA’s main goals is to positively impact the working relationship between its Member Cruise Lines and industry stakeholders, especially its Platinum Members. To foster these engagements during Cruise Shipping Miami and actualize its resources and attendees, the FCCA programmed a block of functions coinciding with the event. These gatherings and features ensured that Platinum Members always had a direct line to the FCCA Member Cruise Line executives and each other, while presenting opportunities for all stakeholders to gain access to the FCCA’s valuable resources.

"The FCCA's role at Cruise Shipping Miami was crucial. With such a large event, it can be difficult to talk to the right people, but the FCCA honed the opportunities to increase business and network bases for all aspects of the cruise industry." Kevin Sheehan, CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line and Chairman of Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association

The FCCA booth itself hosted many of these opportunities. Besides serving as a one-stop shop for all attendees to learn more about the FCCA and what it offers, the booth also acted as an event organizer, with Proexport Colombia and the Port of St. Maarten sponsoring cocktail receptions to promote their destinations and companies while bringing together the Platinum Members and cruise executives in a private atmosphere. Additionally, many of the same executives and members cycled in and out of the booth for meetings arranged by the FCCA.

There were also the annual FCCA events that have become synonymous with CSM for many cruise executives and members. The annual pre-event barbeque took place at FCCA President Michele Paige’s residence to offer Platinum Members and cruise executives an intimate affair (along with delectable fare and libations) so they could reacquaint and prepare for the long days ahead.

The FCCA Gala Dinner and Entertainment Extravaganza offered a chance for any attendee to spend the evening with a cruise executive hosting tables for an unforgettable evening and cause. In its 19th year and made possible by Port Everglades and PortMiami, the 2013 FCCA Gala sprang to life with a 90-minute cocktail reception and silent art auction—composed of a magnificent collection donated by Park West Galleries—to engage the entire audience and allow plenty of networking. However, the Gala dinner stole the show, seating attendees at tables headed by the cruise line executive of their choice, all representing Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association Member Lines and valuable prospects for business and relationship building.

Taking place at LIV—the hottest nightclub in Miami—for a second consecutive year, the FCCA Official Cruise Shipping Miami Reception served as a perfect closing to CSM. This long-awaited reprieve after a week of meetings, receptions and business dinners provided a chance for the tired, sore and overworked attendees to loosen their ties, let down their hair and put on they're dancing shoes for a fun night with some of the cruise industry’s most important decision makers.

Indeed, 2013 Cruise Shipping Miami offered plenty to its participants with its success-proven formula combined with many new features by UBM, but it is the FCCA that offered backstage passes to the real rock stars. It is through these interactions that relationships are born, which provide the best way to get your foot in the door or create a doorway in the first place. This is also just part of the reason why FCCA Platinum Membership is a vital resource for any entity doing or desiring business with the cruise industry. Working directly with the key decision makers is simply the best way to reach your goal and save time and money. The FCCA prides itself on offering these opportunities, as growth in any sector of the cruise industry means progress for the entire industry.

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