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The 2025 Cruise360 Conference will run from 10:00am to 4:30pm on Wednesday 27 August and from 8:30am to 6:00pm on Thursday 28 August.
Registration commences at 8:30am on Wednesday morning and doors will open at 9:30am for delegates to be seated.
The Trade Show will be open during lunch on Day 1 (Wednesday) and during morning tea, lunch and networking drinks on Day 2 (Thursday).
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CLIA President & CEO Bud Darr delivers a comprehensive keynote on the current global state of the cruise industry, covering passenger trends, emerging markets, and the most pressing policy issues shaping our future.
Immediately following, members of CLIA Australasia’s regional committee will discuss the local landscape, outlining market development milestones, regulatory issues and advocacy efforts underway across Australia and New Zealand. This session will provide the big-picture context and regional insights needed to navigate today’s environment with confidence.
| Moderator: | Damian Francis, Editorial Publisher, Cruise Weekly/Travel Daily |
| Panellists: | Peter Little, Senior Vice President and Country Manager, Carnival Corporation and plc and Chair, CLIA Australasia |
| Gavin Smith, Vice President & Managing Director, Royal Caribbean | |
| Ben Angell, Vice President & Managing Director APAP, Norwegian Cruise Line | |
| Deb Corbett, Chief Executive Officer APAC, PONANT Explorations | |
| Lisa Pile, Vice President Sales & General Manager APAC, Regent Seven Seas Cruises |
Join Jeff van Langeveld for an informal fireside chat that unpacks today’s most dynamic cruise-industry trends and translates them into actionable insights for travel agents.
Drawing on his experience leading international sales and marketing for Disney Cruise Line, Jeff will explore how to leverage global growth opportunities, tap into emerging demographics, and stand out as a trusted cruise specialist.
Jeff will also offer practical advice on identifying new leads, positioning the right products, and future-proofing your business in an ever-evolving market.
| Moderator: | Victoria Carthew, MC |
In this keynote, Steve Odell will shed light on the vast opportunities still to be unlocked within the luxury and ultra-luxury cruise segments. Drawing on the latest CLIA data, he will quantify the market’s growth trajectory, profile today’s luxury cruisers (from multigenerational families to solo travellers), and explore the trends shaping their expectations - greater personal space, immersive experiences, culinary excellence, and themed voyages.
This interactive panel will help travel advisors capitalise on the booming expedition cruise sector, one of the most exciting and rapidly evolving segments in travel. Through expert insights and engaging, real-world scenarios, delegates will learn how to align diverse traveller profiles with the right expedition products and destinations. This session will provide practical techniques to help identify opportunities, position value effectively, and engage eco-conscious and experience-driven clients.
| Moderator: | Mark Spurway, Travel Advisor, MTA-Mobile Travel Agents |
| Panellists: | Jane Wilson, Expedition Operations Manager, Swan Hellenic Cruises |
| Jeff Gillies, Chief Commercial Officer, Coral Expeditions | |
| Amber Wilson, Sales Director, Australia & New Zealand, HX Expeditions | |
| Aaron Russ, Commercial Director & Expedition Leader, Heritage Expeditions |
Cruise Critic’s Adam Coulter and Vanessa Green will delve into the latest data from their global site traffic and member forums, presenting detailed consumer insights and trends from the expanding fly-cruise market.
Giles Hawke will then join Adam for an insightful fireside chat that examines the key drivers behind the surging fly-cruise market, from broadening the customer base through blended land and cruise itineraries to a growing “longer-stay” mindset and multi-modal travel experiences.
Giles will highlight regional opportunities for Australasian agents, identifying top emerging long-haul destinations, secondary hotspots ripe for exploration, and specialised niches that capitalise on immersive local experiences.
| Presenters: | Adam Coulter, Executive Editor, Cruise Critic |
| Vanessa Green, APAC Manager, Cruise Critic |
Gen Z represents one of the fastest growing and most influential travel demographics, yet their media habits, values and decision-making processes can be difficult to decipher. What worked for previous generations won’t cut through with this one.
In this keynote, social-media expert Hannah Statham will demystify how Gen Z consumes content and reveals the emotional and practical drivers behind their travel choices. You’ll learn how to market to Gen Z effectively, and what traits create both challenges and opportunities for cruise sales. You’ll also get a glimpse into early marketing trends shaping the next generation, so you can stay one step ahead.
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As the global landscape evolves - through new trade agreements, environmental regulations and emerging markets - the nature of our cruise itineraries must adapt. In this panel, our experts will reveal how the forces of economics, policy and geopolitical power influence deployment strategies, pricing and port calls, and what that means for your clients. Whether you’re in a boutique agency or part of a multinational network, this discussion will equip you with the context and talking points to turn high-level trends into practical sales strategies.
| Moderator: | Adam Coulter, Executive Editor, Cruise Critic |
| Panellists: | Liz Fettes, Senior Vice President North America & Australasia, Cunard |
| Debbie Holbrook, Director, Deployment & Itinerary Planning, Princess Cruises | |
| Helen Beck, Managing Director, Global Commercial, Windstar Cruises | |
| Lee Haslett, Chief Commercial Officer, Celestyal |
Join Antonio Paradiso for an engaging fireside chat on how to boost revenue through smart upselling and cross-selling. Drawing on his unique dual role overseeing international sales for MSC Cruises’ large, multigenerational fleet and the boutique luxury brand Explora Journeys, Antonio will share actionable strategies to help travel agents present value-driven add-ons at every stage of the booking journey. You’ll learn how to spot demographic signals, frame your recommendations around client needs, and leverage data and loyalty perks to maximise ancillary sales without compromising the guest experience.
| Moderator: | Damian Francis, Editorial Publisher, Cruise Weekly/Travel Daily |
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Peter Lynch, publisher of Cruise Passenger, delves into the latest river-cruise consumer research to uncover what today’s guests truly value, from in-demand destinations and onboard experiences to booking drivers and sustainability priorities.
| Presenter: | Peter Lynch, Publisher, Big Splash Media |
Join Kristin Karst, Chief Brand Ambassador & Co-Owner of AmaWaterways, for an illuminating fireside chat that brings these insights to life - examining global trends and uncovering emerging opportunities in river cruising.
| Moderator: | Michelle Ashcroft, Chief Operating Officer, Phil Hoffmann Travel |
Our regional river-cruise leaders will engage in a fast-paced, interactive “Myth-Busters” session, responding live to traveller video clips packed with common objections and misconceptions. You’ll learn how to dismantle doubts with confidence, elevate your expertise, and close more river-cruise bookings.
| Moderator: | Richard Taylor, Director of Membership & Industry Affairs, ATIA |
| Panellists: | David Clark, Managing Director Australia & New Zealand, Tauck |
| Brett Simon, Head of Commercial, Australia & New Zealand, Avalon Waterways | |
| Alice Ager, Managing Director Australia & New Zealand, Uniworld Boutique River Cruises | |
| Scott Ellis, Chief Sales Officer, APT | |
| Robert Kalemba, Director Sales & Agent Programs, Scenic Group |
Whether you’re a front-line consultant, a boutique operator, or part of a global network, this panel will help you visualise clear career-building pathways. Examining training options, recruitment insights and real-world examples, it will explore ways to empower both current cruise consultants and the teams of the future, so they can prosper in a modern cruise sales environment.
Four CLIA-certified travel agency representatives – including seasoned experts, Masters graduates, and CLIA award winners – will discuss the types of qualifications and skills to prioritise, and how to map your own development pathway. They will be joined by a representative from Service and Creative Skills Australia (SaCSA) with insight on state and national training programs.
| Moderator: | Peter Kollar, Head of International Training & Development, CLIA Australasia |
| Panellists: | Jeff Leckey, General Manager Cruise Australasia, House of Travel Group |
| Jo Patton, Cruise Specialist & Crafty Adventures Creator, Cruising Adventures | |
| Jean Summers, Co-owner and Director of Product & Marketing, HR & Recruitment, Clean Cruising | |
| Tammy Marquet, Global Cruise Product Manager, Flight Centre Travel Group | |
| Natalie Turmine, Chief Executive Officer, Service and Creative Skills Australia (SaCSA) |
In this uplifting keynote, branding expert Sue Currie will share her expertise in reputation management to help travel agents stand out as trusted advisors, whether working solo or within a larger organisation.
Drawing on real-world examples, Sue will guide you through defining and articulating your unique value proposition, crafting a consistent personal narrative, and leveraging social proof to build credibility.
You will learn how to amplify your brand, deepen client trust, and drive repeat business for sustainable professional growth.
