CruiseOne, Cruises Inc. and Dream Vacations kicked off their 2017 National Conference onboard Royal Caribbean’s Harmony of the Seas with a series of discussions by top executives from parent company World Travel Holdings, Royal Caribbean International and an expert panel.
Opening Keynote
General Manager of Network Engagement & Performance Drew Daly welcomed the audience of nearly 1,000 travel agents and industry executives. Attendees were also able to see Michael Bayley, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean International, in the hot seat as he participated in a question and answer session moderated by World Travel Holdings Senior Vice President of Product & Operations David Crooks.
The conference theme ACHIEVE was selected by past conference participants and will aim to inspire attendees to evolve their business and set new goals for themselves. Throughout the week, attendees will engage with each other, industry executives and more than 40 headquarters staff as they learn new techniques and the latest industry insights.
General Session and Executive Panel
At the first general session, attendees had the chance to get the latest industry insights from top cruise executives.
Chair of the Cruise Lines International Association Trade Relations Committee and Senior Vice President of Sales, Trade Support and Services at Royal Caribbean International Vicki Freed kicked off the general session and shared insights and tips on growing a business and achieving success -- advice based on her decades of experience in the cruise industry.
Senior Vice President Debbie Fiorino presented a motivational speech reviewing the past year’s accomplishments, including how the travel industry and the Cruises Inc., CruiseOne and Dream Vacations family all came together to overcome the macroeconomic events of 2017. When reflecting on the value of being part of a larger host agency and franchise, she noted “We each have individual goals and individual success, but we are better when we are all better together.”
Also during the General Session, conference attendees learned about the newest features and innovations from individual cruise lines, and also heard from six industry thought leaders all at once in a cruise line executive panel. General Manager of Network Engagement & Performance Drew Daly moderated a discussion with:
- Vicki Freed – senior vice president, sales, trade support and service, Royal Caribbean International
- Adolfo Perez – vice president, trade sales and marketing, Carnival Cruise Line
- Ron Gulaskey – associate vice president, national & strategic accounts, Celebrity Cruises
- Eva Jenner – vice president, sales, Holland America Line and Seabourn
- Camille Olivere – senior vice president, sales, Norwegian Cruise Line
- John Chernesky – vice president of North American sales, Princess Cruises
- Joe Jiffo – senior vice president of sales, North America, MSC Cruises
The General Session concluded with keynote speaker and Air Force Veteran Lt. Col. (ret.) Waldo Waldman providing tips on how business owners can ACHIEVE greater success. He shared strategies on how to adapt to change, build trusting partnerships and develop courage to reach new heights in business and life.
To follow this week aboard the Harmony of the Seas use the #AchieveConference hashtag.
Visit www.DreamVacationsFranchise.com and www.SellCruises.com
Check out our in-depth report on the discussion here.
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