Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) announced today that it has added 67 new members this year following a successful week at Seatrade Cruise Global in Fort Lauderdale, FL that took place in March.  

The world's largest cruise industry trade association, CLIA, hosted more than 400 industry suppliers and cruise line executives as part of their Executive Partner Program during its annual Diamond Dinner, Business on the Beach and CLIA Connect events.

The global program, which launched in 2015, boasts more than 300 industry suppliers worldwide, and is forecasted to welcome 100 new members in 2017. The program continues to evolve and this year kicked off its first-ever Executive Partner Conference in London, where attendees discussed important industry matters on Port and Destination and Technical and Regulatory topics.

“The positive feedback we have received from our partners since we first launched the program has been overwhelming,” said Bo Larsen, SVP, strategic partnerships, CLIA. “Our goal is to create a dynamic and exclusive platform for our members to connect and we will continue to create new events and opportunities to strengthen our industry.”

Once of CLIA's newest Diamond partners for 2017, Simwave, has already signed a MoU with one of the world's biggest cruise lines through a connection they made while attending a CLIA event.

“Since joining CLIA, we have built significant relationships with potential cruise line customers that would have been very difficult without attending these industry events,” said Joost van Ree, managing director, Simwave. “The value we have received from the program so far has been invaluable.”

The next CLIA Executive Partner event is the second-annual Summit at Sea, taking place aboard Cunard's, Queen Elizabeth on May 9-12.

To learn more about CLIA's Executive Partner Program, please visit https://www.cruising.org/about-the-industry/executive-partner-program.

About Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) – One Industry, One Voice

Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) is the world's largest cruise industry trade association, providing a unified voice and leading authority of the global cruise community. The association has 15 offices globally with representation in North and South America, Europe, Asia and Australasia. CLIA supports policies and practices that foster a safe, secure, healthy and sustainable cruise ship environment for the more than 24 million passengers who cruise annually and is dedicated to promote the cruise travel experience. Members are comprised of the world's most prestigious ocean, river and specialty cruise lines; a highly trained and certified travel agent community; and cruise line suppliers and partners, including ports & destinations, ship development, suppliers and business services. The organization's mission is to be the unified global organization that helps its members succeed by advocating, educating and promoting for the common interests of the cruise community. For more information, visit www.cruising.org or follow Cruise Lines International Association on CLIA Facebook and Twitter pages.