Cruise Industry Brass Rings Dinner Bell at FCCA Gala, Gathers Stakeholders for Unique Networking Opportunity 

Fort Lauderdale, FL (March 16, 2017) – The Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association’s (FCCA) 23rd annual Gala again lived up to its legacy as the FCCA’s keynote event of Seatrade Cruise Global, gathering over 50 cruise line executives, presidents and CEOs with 400 attendees looking to optimize a unique chance to increase their cruise tourism business during a reception, silent art auction and private dinner with a decision making executive.

“The FCCA Gala facilitated networking between Member Line executives and cruise tourism stakeholders, while contributing to a good cause—the FCCA Foundation,” told Michele M. Paige, president of FCCA. “Of course it is crucial to link anyone doing business in the cruise industry with decision makers from the cruise lines, which is the best way to build understanding and business relationships, but even better is benefitting the citizens from Latin America and the Caribbean.”

“The FCCA Gala offered a unique and invaluable opportunity for stakeholders to closely interact with the cruise industry’s key players to develop understanding, relationships and business,” said Adam Goldstein, President and COO of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. and Chairman of the FCCA. “I was honored to host a table and listen to ideas and developments while benefitting a good cause.”

The evening began with a 90-minute reception and silent art auction with a collection from Park West preceding the dinner. This gave attendees a chance to mingle with all the executives in attendance, including presidents and CEOs such as Goldstein, along with Orlando Ashford, President, Holland America Line; Michael Bayley, President & CEO, Royal Caribbean International; Arnold Donald, CEO, Carnival Corporation & plc; Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, President & CEO, Celebrity Cruises; Jason Montague, President & CEO, Regent Seven Seas Cruises; Richard Sasso, Chairman, MSC Cruises (USA) Inc.; and Andy Stuart, President & CEO, Norwegian Cruise Line.

The audience then made its way to their tables, ones they had pre-selected based on the best executive, department and brand to help their business, as each ticket included not only dinner, but also a side of productive talks and relationship building. Plus, select executives, including the presidents and CEOs, hosted private tables so a company or destination could maximize the opportunity.

All proceeds benefitted the FCCA Foundation, the non-profit, charitable organization that funds humanitarian causes in the Caribbean and Latin America, including disaster relief, funding for institutions like hospitals and orphanages, and annual projects benefitting educational and children’s causes. Most recently, nearly 9,000 underprivileged children throughout 43 destinations had something to celebrate because one of the Foundation’s annual events, the Holiday Gift Project, delivered presents, festivities and smiles.

Both the Gala and FCCA Foundation’s efforts are possible because of Port Everglades, the Featured Event Sponsor; Port Canaveral and PortMiami, Partner Sponsors; The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, the Reception Sponsor; and Park West, which gave the silent art auction a voice.

About the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association
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, the FCCA on Facebook, and @FCCAupdates on Twitter.

About the FCCA Foundation
The FCCA Foundation provides a tangible mechanism for the cruise industry to fund a range of humanitarian causes in Caribbean and Latin American destinations. In its 23 years, the Foundation has benefited thousands of citizens by providing funding and countless hours to causes and charities throughout the regions. In addition to assisting deserving institutions like charities and hospitals and aiding during crises like natural disasters, the Foundation executes annual projects, including the Holiday Gift Project, which delivers thousands of presents and smiles to underprivileged children during the holiday season, and poster and essay competitions to benefit students and schools.