Seatrade Cruise Connection

June 2005

Hope for New Business Fueled Exhibitor Participation

With more than 950 exhibitors from over 100 countries, the annual Seatrade Cruise Shipping Convention continues to attract vendors who have attended the conference year after year and first-time exhibitors who have determined that the largest cruise shipping convention in the world is worth investing the time and cost in exchange for the immense exposure.

Both old and new alike arrived with high expectations for a successful convention. The Antwerp Cruise Port participated for the ninth year, and Kattina Glasinovich, port trade and consumer manager, was optimistic that exposure for the cruise terminal that opened in 2004 would reverse a recent decline in port calls.

"With our new pier in the historical area of the city center, Antwerp has even greater potential as a cruise ship destination," said Glasnovich. "It's in the heart of Europe, and by being at Seatrade we hope to gain more cruise ship calls."

One of the previous sound and light exhibitors, HMS, who exhibited with PLASA@Sea in 2005, had a very busy event demonstrating equipment to Carnival for their expected option for future newbuildings work similar to their multi-million dollar Carnival Liberty installation.

First-time exhibitor Principality of Monaco/Monte-Carlo was seeking to increase cruise ship calls by showcasing the port's new pier that opened in 2002. Monaco Government Tourist Authority's Odile Giusti said the cruise industry is incredibly strong at the moment and she hoped her presence here would bring larger cruise ships to Monaco.

Robert Berk, president of Berk Paper and Supply, decided to exhibit at Seatrade for the first time to gain access to the cruise industry. Typically used for carnivals and amusement services, Berk said his disposable food service products (think coconut-shaped cups and rainbow-hued hurricane glasses with a twisty straw) are a "win-win" for cruise lines to use on board.

"We can print on anything used in food service operations for the same cost that many companies charge without anything printed on the item," said Berk. "We've done other shows and decided Seatrade was the right convention to gain new business."