Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA)

Pembroke Pines, FL (May 13, 2014) –The FCCA is pleased to announce the site of its 2014 Conference & Trade Show, taking place in St. Maarten from October 6-10. The Port of St. Maarten has commissioned Eventstar to develop a state-of-the-art convention center at the port.

With a backdrop of visiting cruise ships, attendees will have a stunning view and a convenient hub for the event’s business sessions, private meetings, workshops and registration. Plus Trade Show exhibitors will be front and center in the facility’s largest exhibit hall, providing ample space for the unique destination pavilions and guaranteed traffic from attendees and FCCA Member Line cruise executives, presidents and CEOs, as all must enter and go through the Trade Show to access any of the Conference’s functions.

“We are honored and excited to again host the FCCA Conference & Trade Show,” told Mark Mingo, CEO, Port of St. Maarten. “In 2003 we saw the benefits for all involved, and we used this understanding to further integrate the event’s business and social functions with St. Maarten’s WOW factor for cruise executives and attendees to experience why so many passengers visit our port and destination.”

“The FCCA appreciates St. Maarten’s efforts and commitment to making the 21st Conference & Trade Shows one of the best events yet,” said Michele Paige, president, FCCA. “It has pulled out all the stops to woo the cruise executives and Conference delegates, and hosting for a second time allows all to see the progress made over the last decade because of its dedication to cruise tourism.”

“We are thrilled to be bringing the FCCA’s 21st Conference and Trade Show back to St. Maarten to showcase all that they have achieved in creating a world-class cruise destination,” stated Kevin Sheehan, FCCA chairman and Norwegian Cruise Line CEO.

Once again, St. Maarten leads the way in providing the necessary infrastructure to support the cruise industry. The cutting-edge facility will serve as an epicenter for the Conference & Trade Show and further showcase St. Maarten’s innovations for cruise tourism. St. Maarten and the Port of St. Maarten—the “Port to Remember”—continue to show that the 21st annual FCCA Conference & Trade Show will surely be a Conference to remember.

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.