Jacqui Pressinger joins Seatrade as cruise relationship manager

She brings more than 25 years’ experience to the role where her initial focus is on relationship building with US-based cruise lines and re-engaging with food and beverage/hotel operations executives.

Florida-based Pressinger reports to Mary Bond, group portfolio director for Seatrade Cruise, with a dotted line to the company’s global brand and event director, Chiara Giorgi, while liaising closely with the events, sales, marketing, conference and content teams.

F&B@Sea

The appointment sees Seatrade Cruise continuing to work on developing its engagement with the food and beverage cruise community in support of its annual F&B@Sea event, while building relationships with cruise line executives in targeted sectors in support of Seatrade’s cruise events and products portfolio.

The inaugural F&B@Sea event, launched in 2023, was held in tandem with Seatrade Cruise Global. This year will see the return of F&B@Sea – hosted again in parallel with Seatrade Cruise Global. The former will take place April 10-11 at Miami’s Mana Wynwood Convention Center and the latter, April 8-11 at the Miami Beach Convention Center. A shuttle bus will run between the two venues.

Career highlights

As the public relations and brand ambassador for ACF, Pressinger was responsible for building the organisation’s reputation as North America’s largest association of chefs. Prior to that, she was associate director at the Culinary Institute of America in New York.

The hospitality and foodservice industry professional is on the board of directors/hospitality chair & industry representative for SkillsUSA Florida, the National Technical Committee for the SkillsUSA Culinary Arts, and was part of the International Association of Culinary Professionals Executive Committee.

When it comes to advocating for women in the culinary arts, Pressinger was once a mentor and advisory board member for the James Beard Foundation's Women's Leadership Programs, and a member of the board of directors for Women Chefs & Restaurateurs. Last October Pressinger was selected to attend the prestigious James Beard Foundation's Bootcamp for Policy & Change.

She is a member of the Les Dames d'Escoffier International, Chaine de Rôtisseurs, Miami Chapter, American Culinary Federation and US Coast Guard Auxiliary associations.