Seatrade Cruise Connection

June 2005

Cruise Shipping Show Continues to Evolve

Now in its 21st year, the Seatrade Cruise Shipping Convention continues to grow and evolve to better serve its changing audiences. Highlighting the 2005 edition were a first-time yacht symposium, a new pavilion featuring lighting and sound technology, and innovative approaches by cruise lines seeking to use the exhibition in new ways.

The debut of the International Super Yacht Symposium marked a milestone for the convention. In the past, several conference sessions have addressed issues related to the super yacht industry, but the symposium recognizes the significant synergies between the cruise and yacht sectors.

A slate of industry experts headlined the two-day super yacht conference, leading panel discussions covering all aspects of the growing maritime sector. The Cruise Shipping Exhibition offered symposium participants opportunities to network and meet exhibitors showcasing products and services used by both super yachts and cruise.

"The program obviously resonated with attendees because there was standing room only at several of the super yacht sessions," said Michael Kazakoff, vice president of CMP Princeton Inc., the convention and symposium organizers.

On Tuesday, 40 large yacht captains attended a special seminar preceding the symposium and visited the exhibition on opening day.

Recognizing the growing importance of shipboard lighting and sound technologies and the increasing sophistication of cruise ship entertainment venues, a new PLASA@Sea Pavilion was added to the exhibition. The pavilion, supported by the Professional Lighting and Sound Association, featured an impressive array of lighting-design, sound-design and entertainment-related exhibitors.

"Gathering these vendors in one pavilion under PLASA's sponsorship proved popular with cruise line executives, ship builders and designers sourcing those products and services," said Kazakoff.

He noted that this year for the first time, the Seatrade Convention had an event sponsor -- Port of Miami -- and an event co-sponsor -- Visit Japan.