Top industry speakers for Australian Cruise Association conference

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CEO Jill Abel said the conference will provide an opportunity for the industry to re-group and plan for the future
The Australian Cruise Association announced keynote speakers for its annual 2022 conference to be held in Townsville September 7-9.

Initially scheduled for 2020, the conference was postponed due to COVID-19 lockdowns and will now centre on the reopening of Australia’s maritime borders.

Bratton also NZCA speaker

Speakers include: Marguerite Fitzgerald, president, Carnival Australia and P&O Cruises Australia; Stuart Allison, senior VP - Asia Pacific, UK & Europe, Princess Cruises; Gavin Smith, VP & MD, Royal Caribbean Cruises; Tim Jones, VP and MD, Australia & APAC, Celebrity Cruises; Sarina Bratton, chairman Asia Pacific, Ponant who will also be keynote speaker at the New Zealand Cruise Association’s annual conference in Auckland in August.

They will be joined by Phillipa Harrison, MD, Tourism Australia and Adele Labine-Romain, partner, Deloitte Access Economics.

A motivational breakfast will be held on the final day of the conference on nearby Magnetic Island.

The event, which is being supported by Townsville Enterprise Limited, Port of Townsville and Tourism and Events Queensland, is expected to attract around 120 delegates.

‘We have regularly held our conferences in regional destinations,’ Australian Cruise Association CEO Jill Abel said.

Importance of regional ports

‘This year, more than ever, we are delighted to recognise the important role these destinations play in the cruise industry and support local businesses through this event,’ Abel added.