St. Maarten to Host 2024 FCCA Cruise Conference and Trade Show

What to Expect

The FCCA Cruise Conference and Trade Show aims to enhance participants' understanding of the cruise industry's operations while supporting the growth of their cruise tourism ventures. Through a structured forum that combines workshops, meetings, and social gatherings, attendees can interact with nearly 100 executives from FCCA members. These executives are responsible for making key decisions about port destinations, onboard sales, and infrastructure investments, offering participants valuable opportunities to network, promote their offerings, and gain industry insights.

According to The Daily Herald, the government of St. Maarten has allocated a budget of $850,000 to ensure the event at Port St. Maarten is successful, with the budget being overseen by the St. Maarten Tourism Office and the Port St. Maarten management. 

Attendance from Cruise Industry Executives

Given the networking opportunities and more, the FCCA Cruise Conference and Trade Show is sure to draw the attendance of top executives from the cruise industry as well as ancillary industries. 

“FCCA has a way of making business and networking fun at events like this, and I am confident that this one is not to be missed. This is the only event in the region that puts any attendee in direct contact with cruise executives that can drive business,”  commented  Micky Arison, Chairman of FCCA and Carnival Corporation (NYSE: CCL)

Several other prominent cruise executives have already confirmed their attendance, including Michael Bayley, President & CEO of Royal Caribbean International (NYSE: RCL); Chris Ivy, CEO of Margaritaville at Sea; Frank A. Del Rio, President of Oceania Cruises; Richard Sasso, Chairman of MSC Cruises USA; and Harry Sommer, President and CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. (NYSE: NCLH). 

This year, the FCCA is unveiling a new flagship networking event, the "St. Maarten Presidents Dinner." Set for the evening of October 22, the exclusive gathering aims to facilitate key business connections within the cruise sector. The event, which is invitation-only, will be organized by the FCCA and backed by participating member cruise lines. Attendees will have the opportunity to network with senior industry executives, including presidents and CEOs, who will host tables for stakeholders interested in forming new partnerships. The evening promises a vibrant atmosphere, complete with entertainment and surprises.

Impact on the Island's Economy and Tourism

Known for its beaches, culinary scene, and nightlife, St. Maarten is rarely thought of as a destination for business travel and conventions. According to 2023 data from the St. Maarten Department of Statistics, just 3% of stay-over travelers visiting St. Maarten came to the island for business or a convention. During the 30th FCCA Cruise Conference and Trade Show, St. Maarten plans to use this important event to boost its profile as a convention hub while generating a positive economic impact for the local community. 

The FCCA Cruise Conference and Trade Show has typically sparked new routes and destination developments throughout the Caribbean and Latin America. The FCCA, which represents the shared interests of Caribbean and Latin American destinations alongside cruise industry stakeholders, is responsible for more than 90% of the global cruising market.

“We have always prided ourselves in offering direct opportunities for local stakeholders to maximise their benefits from cruise tourism, and this new function was built with that in mind. I cannot wait to see what results this brings for our partners, and I hope the ‘Presidents Dinner’ becomes a staple at the FCCA Cruise Conference and Trade Show. We are proud of this event’s continued success for attendees and so many throughout the Caribbean and Latin America. The FCCA Cruise Conference and Trade Show has been the birthplace of everything from new tours to entire destination developments, so we are excited about what this year can bring for all.” commented Michele Paige, Chief Executive Officer of the FCCA