Clia announces speakers for this year’s conference

Clia UK & Ireland has announced the keynote speakers for its 11th annual conference, taking place in Southampton this summer.

The event, which runs from May 24-26, will see speeches from Christine Duffy, president, Carnival Cruise Line; Rudi Schreiner, president and co-owner, Ama Waterways; Gavin Smith, senior vice president international, Royal Caribbean Cruises; and Cindy D’Aoust, president and CEO, Clia.

The event will feature a full conference day, a ‘Great British Cruise Fair’ and gala dinner. Agents will also be welcomed on board Cunard’s newly remastered Queen Mary 2 and Royal Caribbean International’s Navigator of the Seas.

This year 460 travel agents – a record number – are now confirmed to attend. A handful of available places remain for Clia members.

Andy Harmer, Clia SVP membership & director UK & Ireland, said: “We are thrilled to welcome Christine, Rudi, Gavin and Cindy as keynote speakers to this year’s conference, bringing with them a new perspective on the cruise industry and insights into their areas of specialism.

“The 2017 CLIA Conference will be a celebration of cruise industry collaboration under the theme ‘Together’. There are a number of additional speakers and sessions that will be announced closer to the time, and we very much look forward to a fantastic conference day as part of this year’s event.”