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FCCA Platinum Members, cruise leaders convene in Punta Cana

(Photo: FCCA)
New FCCA Platinum Members with cruise executives and, seventh from left, FCCA president Michele Paige, at the PAMAC Conference (Click image to enlarge)
Some 200 Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association Platinum Members and their associates along with 20 high-level executives from FCCA member lines met in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, this week for the annual FCCA PAMAC Conference.

Forums on industry trends, regional issues

The event blended business and fun during an agenda ranging from meetings and site visits to tours and receptions, and featured forums on topics like industry trends, regional issues, product promotion and member-specific matters.

'Platinum Membership events like the FCCA PAMAC Conference are essential to both the members and cruise line representatives,' said FCCA chairman Adam Goldstein, vice chairman, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. 'They join some of the industry’s most influential decision-makers with significant stakeholders from the Caribbean and Latin America, which leads to positive developments for all parties.'

Bringing together Platinum Members and cruise line representatives fosters better understanding that helps to improve relationships and business, FCCA president Michele Paige added.

Update on Puerto Rico's hurricane recovery

Prescheduled one-on-one meetings provided Platinum Members a selection of cruise lines and departments to choose from, while the entire group gathered for presentations such as that by Carla Campos, executive director, Puerto Rico Tourism Co.

Campos talked about Puerto Rico's hurricane recovery and preparations to host the expected 100 cruise executives and 1,000 attendees for the 25th annual FCCA Cruise Conference & Trade Show in San Juan, Nov. 5-9.

Cruise executive panel

The meeting also let attendees put any topic on the table for discussion by both the audience and a panel of cruise line executives including Carlos Torres de Navarra, VP strategic and commercial port development, Carnival Cruise Line; Albino di Lorenzo, VP cruise operations, MSC Cruises USA; Russell Daya, executive director, marine & port operations, Disney Cruise Line; and Federico Gonzalez-Denton, AVP, government relations, Latin America and the Caribbean, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.

Other cruise executives got into the mix during both the discussion and with presentations. José Negron, VP strategic port development, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, presented 'The Three P’s of Business: People, Product & Process.'

Less formal meetings took place over settings like snorkeling above submerged Taino sculptures, sampling local delicacies at a pastel countryside cottage, zip lining in the mountains, visiting a sugar cane mill, learning how to make cigars and an ATV tour with a pit stop at El Hoyo cenote.

Dominican hospitality

The FCCA said the Dominican Republic pulled out all the stops to display the country's hospitality, offerings and culture, including its gastronomy, while also proving its ability to accommodate large-scale events.

The Dominican Republic also presented one of the Caribbean’s newest cruise destinations, Cap Cana, with a site visit to the marina before exploring Juanillo, home to the main beach for cruise visitors, and Scape Park, an adventure complex including Xenotes Caribe water park, and a visit to Punta Espada Golf Club and Eden Roc Beach Club.