Heavyweights to speak at Clia conference

Clia UK & Ireland has announced that the keynote speaker programme for its annual conference will include Arnold Donald, Adam Goldstein and Larry Pimentel.

Donald, the chief executive officer of Carnival Corporation; Adam Goldstein, president & chief operating officer of Royal Caribbean Cruises; and Larry Pimentel, president & chief executive officer of Azamara Club Cruises will be part of a programme that also includes a showcase of Harmony of the Seas.

The conference will take place in Southampton in May, with 600 delegates present making it the largest travel agent event in Europe.

“We are delighted that Arnold, Adam and Larry will be joining us at this year’s very special conference.  They will each bring their own unique perspective on the cruise industry at a time when we are witnessing significant change,” said Andy Harmer, Clia Europe VP Operations.

“The 2016 CLIA Conference will be a celebration of cruise under the theme ‘Join the Cruise Revolution’. Our first conference took place in 2007 when our membership totalled 750 agencies and 21 cruise lines – we now have an amazing 3,400 travel agency members and 51 cruise lines working with CLIA in the UK & Ireland.  We have witnessed tremendous change over the past decade and this revolution continues in all areas – new ships, ports and destinations, and particularly in the way in which we sell the cruise product to today’s customers.”

Agents will also have the opportunity to get on board MSC Splendida and P&O Ventura.

The renamed Clia Conference will take place on Wednesday 18, Thursday 19 and Friday 20 May in Southampton.