Extensive cruise background
Van der Heyden has been involved with Amsterdam’s maritime industry for nearly 18 years. Building on extensive previous business experience in the IT sector, she joined the Port of Amsterdam in spring 2004 with management responsibility for the ICT division. She was later promoted commercial manager, cruise at the Port of Amsterdam and – following organisational amendments at the turn of last year – ultimately became commercial director of Cruise Port Amsterdam. In this role, van der Heyden was in charge of the commercial and financial strategy of sea and river cruise ship handling and intensively involved in international marketing.
Role at River Cruise Europe
Known as a keen and skilled networker, van der Heyden was among the initiators of River Cruise Europe (RCE), a new association launched in 2019 aiming to represent and connect all segments of Europe's river cruise industry. She became the chairlady of RCE and helped the young association adapt rapidly to the challenges of COVID-19; RCE was early out to launch a webinar format when physical meetings were not possible, and successfully held a series of webinars for its members in 2020 and 2021.
Strategic thinking with a strong networking focus
Examples of the new chair's networking focus include RCE quickly establishing links to the organisers of Donaukonferenz, an important German river cruise industry gathering, which evolved into a close cooperation between both parties. With van der Heyden’s input, RCE also defined a clear strategy for its activities, coming up with 'Connect' as its lead topic for 2022, with a series of webinars and events built around that motto.
Amsterdam Cruise Port
Among its partners, ACP counts the passenger terminals in Amsterdam and IJmuiden, the port authority, port agents, incoming tour operators, various attractions and tourist service providers, hotels, local and provincial authorities.
It will host a breakfast on April 25 during Seatrade Cruise Global in Miami.
Copyright © 2024. All rights reserved. Seatrade, a trading name of Informa Markets (UK) Limited.
Add Seatrade Cruise News to your Google News feed.  |
