Seatrade's F&B@Sea conference programme in Miami announced

F&B@Sea, launched in 2023, takes place April 10-11 at the Mana Wynwood Convention Center in Miami. It is held in tandem with Seatrade Cruise Global, April 8-11 at the Miami Beach Convention Center, with a shuttle bus service operating between the two venues.  

More variety

This year’s event is set to include more vendors, produce and variety, over 100 F&B suppliers, as well as the first F&B@Sea Awards. Conference sessions promise a deep dive into evolving consumer trends and the demand for local sourcing, all while addressing the growing necessity for sustainable practices within the industry. 

‘We are thrilled to unveil our 2024 conference programme, which promises to be a transformative event for the cruise industry,’ said Chiara Giorgi, global brand and event director for Seatrade Cruise. ‘This conference represents a unique opportunity for industry leaders to come together, share insights, and chart the course for a more sustainable and innovative future in cruise F&B.’

The full programme is available here. Highlights include: 

State of the Industry

The ‘State of the Industry Keynote: Navigating the Cruise F&B Supply Chain’ will take place on April 10 from noon to 1 p.m. It will spotlight discussions on sustainable sourcing, F&B supply/demand dynamics, and the evolving landscape of local procurement in destinations.

Related:BLOG: Quick fire interview with the F&B@Sea Awards judges

Sessions on top trends 

Following the keynote, the sessions ‘Local Flavours, Global Appeal’ and ‘The Evolution of Specialty Restaurants On Board’ will take place. These will explore authentic cultural food experiences, immersive dining concepts, and the rise of local culinary options—three of the top trends forecasted to dominate the period of 2024/25, as outlined in the latest Cruise F&B Trends Report.

Further sessions will delve into health and wellness, culinary treasures through shore excursions, the role of social media in the guest experience, and eco-conscious bar practices, to name a few. 

The Bistro 

New for 2024, The Bistro is where attendees will encounter daily curated menus, live cooking demos and brand activations.  

Product Pavilion

The Product Pavilion is a further fresh addition, where happy hours and brand experiences can be found. 

Matchmaking

There will be a chance to meet, share and learn with the matchmaking concept, consisting of workshops and networking events. 

Workshops

A ‘Supplier workshop: Conscious Trends Shaping Cruise F&B Supply & Demand,’ curated in partnership with the Plant Based Food Association, is scheduled for April 11 from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. It is designed to empower current suppliers and new entrants to the cruise sector alike to meet the escalating demand for sustainable practices, products and supply within cruise F&B operations.

For more information on F&B@Sea or to register, visit www.seatradecruiseevents.com/fnbsea