CLIA UK & Ireland has announced Orlando Ashford, president Holland America Line, and Steve Born, chief marketing officer, Group Voyagers as two of the keynote speakers at the CLIA Conference 2020.
The annual flagship event will take place in Southampton from April 26 ? 28.
In December, the theme for the conference was announced as #CruiseHeroes. Ashford and Born will be part of a line-up of speakers that showcase the ?Cruise Heroes? working across the industry.
Orlando Ashford leads the line?s brand and business. Prior to joining Holland America Line, he has held several other leadership roles including group director of human resources for 90 countries in Eurasia and Africa for the Coca-Cola Company. He is also author to a book called ?Talentism?, which addresses the global disconnect between available jobs.
Steve Born is chief marketing officer for Group Voyagers, the company that markets and sells the Globus family of brands (Globus, Cosmos, Monograms and Avalon Waterways) within the USA. He began his marketing career outside the travel industry more than three decades ago, and for the past 20 years has been responsible for guiding all marketing and call centre initiatives for the Globus family. He has helped grow the Globus family from two to four brands, including the introduction of Monograms and Avalon Waterways.
The conference will include ship visits, a trade fair and a full day of business sessions, followed by a gala dinner with entertainment. Delegates will have the chance to visit two cruise ships in port ? P&O Cruises? Britannia and MSC Cruises? MSC Meraviglia.
Earlier this month, the association announced that it will also be running two complimentary masterclasses during conference, which aim to further enhance the learning opportunities available to event delegates. The masterclasses will focus on cruise sales techniques and social media and marketing tips to help grow cruise sales.
Andy Harmer, UK & Ireland director for the cruise lines association, said: ?The theme #CruiseHeroes celebrates the individuals in our industry who go above and beyond to create incredible cruise holidays. As such, we?re inviting our travel agent members to nominate their cruise hero ahead of the conference. They could be a future or past colleague, or someone they know within the industry who has made a huge impact on their career. Those nominated will have the chance to win huge bundles of prizes. Further details on CLIA Conference will be revealed closer to the date.?
CLIA travel agent members can register for a space via cruiseexperts.org/clia-agents/uk-ireland-events/
To nominate your cruise hero, visit www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/5D23DYD
