ICS 2016 | Madrid, 22nd & 23rd November

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Speakers

View the speakers of the last five years:

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Confirmed speakers

This section will be updated with confirmed speakers

  • Virginia López Valiente

    BIO

    Virginia Lopez Valiente is the owner and Managing Director of Cruises News Media Group, a company dedicated to communication, marketing and promotion of the Cruise industry.

    Cruises News Media Group edits the magazine Cruises News and organises annually the International Cruise Summit, the Cruise Excellence Awards, Cruise Forums and Cruise Trainings.

    Virginia has spent most of her two-decade career leading departments of commercial, marketing and operations in international companies of various sectors such as transport, hospitality and consultancy.

    Before founding Cruises News Media Group, she held various managerial posts in companies such as DHL, Panalpina Global Transport, Air Express International, Thomas International and IPS Consultants and was Director of Operations for Spain and Portugal at Hospitality Marketing Concepts, an American multinational of marketing and loyalty programs for luxury hotels and chains.

    She has a degree in Business Administration, International Trade and Marketing and completed her executive program (PGD) in Marketing Management and Strategic Management at the British School of Management Sciences in London.

    Virginia is the publisher and editor of Cruises News (the magazine) following on from the pioneering work by the founder of the magazine and the company.

The International Cruise Summit is proud to welcome our special guest Mr. Richard Vogel, President & CEO of Grupo Pullmantur for a one to one interview on the stage.

We are proud to announce that Mr. Pierfrancesco Vago, Chairman of CLIA Europe (Cruise Lines Intl. Association) and Executive Chairman of MSC Cruises, will be participating in the International Cruise Summit.

Mr. Vago will be giving the keynote speech after the official inauguration on November 22nd.

CONFERENCE DIRECTOR

CEO

CRUISES NEWS MEDIA GROUP

INTERNATIONAL CRUISE SUMMIT

  • Luis de CarvalhoCEOBERMELLO AJAMIL & PARTNERS EUROPE

    BIO

    Luis the Carvalho is the CEO of Bermello Ajamil & Partners Europe (B&A Europe), the worldwide leader in port and destination development for cruise based in Copenhagen, Denmark.

    B&A Europe is currently involved on several projects involving Northern European, Baltic Sea, Mediterranean, Atlantic, Indian Ocean and West African regions.

    Luis started his career in 1986 with Premier Cruise Lines and RCCL in Miami. He then spent 12 years with Crystal Cruises, being their LA based Corporate Port Coordinator overseeing shore side operations globally while inspecting new ports and destinations.

    From 2005 on he served as: National Director Cruise Operations in Ultramar Express / TUI Spain based in Barcelona, Director of Cruise Operations in Tumlare Corporation and Director of Cruise Operations in Kuoni Destination Management based in Copenhagen.

    After gathering knowledge and experience from all angles of the industry he started his own consulting firm Consult DC in 2009 to better serve the global cruise community and in 2013 merged Consult DC with top US 200 architecture firm Bermello Ajamil & Partners Inc. to form B&A Europe.

    Luis is also a regular organizer, key speaker and moderator of international conferences, cruise seminars and workshops.

  • Pierfrancesco VagoChairmanCLIA (Cruise Lines International Association) EuropeExecutive ChairmanMSC CRUISES

    BIO

    Pierfrancesco Vago is the Executive Chairman of MSC Cruises, and leads the company’s on-going expansion from its Geneva headquarters while overseeing all MSC group subsidiaries with strategic relevance to the tourism sector.

    Since December 2013, Vago is also Chairman of CLIA Europe, the association that promotes the interests of cruise ship operators within Europe, liaising closely with the EU Institutions. CLIA Europe also promotes cruising to a wider public audience to encourage expansion of the European cruise market and works closely with a range of other stakeholders, including the wider shipping industry, cruise ports, and travel agents.

    Vago entered the MSC Group in 2000, piloting a joint venture between the Italian ferry company SNAV and the Hoverspeed Seacontainer Group. In 2001 he rose to the position of MSC Cargo Line Manager for the USA, Mexico and Canada.

    From 2004 he served as CEO of MSC Cruises, driving the company’s unparalleled growth, before becoming Executive Chairman in September 2013.

  • Richard VogelPresident & CEOGRUPO PULLMANTUR

    BIO

    Richard J. Vogel’s professional career is strongly linked to the tourism industry, in particular the cruises. Consequently, he perfectly knows both the features of the sector and its major players.

    Recently, Vogel has been appointed as the new president and CEO of the Pullmantur Group, a cruise line companywith more than 15 years ofexperience at sea. The company manages both Pullmantur Cruises and Croisières de France and operates in Europe and Latin America.

    In the recent past, he worked for the TUI Group, where he was instrumental in the establishment of TUI Cruises - a joint venture between TUI AG and Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. Since its founding in 2008 until the end of 2014, he was responsible for TUI Cruises as its Chairman & CEO and led it to become a leader company within the cruise sector in Europe.

    Prior to joining TUI, Vogel initiated at Seetours the building, orientation and distribution of the brand AIDA. In 9 years at AIDA Cruises as MD and VP Marketing & Sales, he played a significant role in developing and establishing the Brand.

    2014 he was awarded by the German Travel Industry Club for “Travel Industry Manager of the Year”.

    In between, he also worked as an independent consultant for the travel and cruise industry. And since May of this year he supports Saga Cruises as Non Executive Director, underlining once again his extensive expertise in the cruise sector.

  • Marta Blanco QuesadaManaging DirectorTURESPAÑA - SPANISH TOURIST BOARD

    BIO

  • Sabine SchwanzDirector of Tourism PromotionMADRID DESTINOMADRID CITY COUNCIL

    BIO

    Sabine is the Director of Turismo Promotion of “ Madrid Destino” - Madrid city Council since 2014 and is responsible of the elaboration of the budget and the marketing plan for the international destination marketing plan of the city of Madrid in the 12 strategic source markets as well as design, development and implementation of sales promotions based on the marketing plan (trade fairs, workshops, collaboration at international congresses in Madrid, sales calls, online training, presentations, fam trips, press trips etc.) in collaboration with national and international tourism service providers and strategic partners. Follow-up and reporting of marketing activities.

    She manages the expansion & development of international and national collaborations with tourism service providers and strategic partners and personal responsability for market development team.

  • Mark RobinsonPresidentINTERCRUISES SHORESIDE & PORT SERVICES

    BIO

    Intercruises Shoreside & Port Services is an experienced global business offering first class ground handling and port agency services to the Ocean and river cruise industry. Intercruises has over 300 port offices and operates in over 50 countries worldwide, providing turnaround, port agency, shore excursion and hotel reservation services.

    After receiving a degree in tourism at the age of twenty, Mark embarked on his career overseas, working in Greece as a holiday rep for Thomson Holidays. Since then he has taken on a variety of different roles within the travel industry, including Regional Director Spain, Portugal & Cruise Operations for First Choice Holidays and Director of Ground Operations & Onboard Revenues for Festival Cruises. During his career Mark has been located in Spain, Africa, Portugal, Greece and Czechoslovakia. He now lives in Barcelona, Spain.

    In 2003 Mark founded Intercruises Shoreside & Port Services as part of the TUI Travel PLC portfolio of brands. Since then Mark has overseen the growth of Intercruises from a one port ground handler to a global provider of cruise ship services.

  • Kerry AnastassiadisCEOCELESTYAL CRUISES

    BIO

    Kyriakos (Kerry) Anastassiadis is the CEO of Celestyal Cruises and also a member of the Executive Committee of CLIA (Cruise Lines International Association) Europe. Prior to joining Celestyal Cruises, Kerry distinguished himself as General Manager, CEO and President at renowned corporations such as The Coca-Cola Company, Procter & Gamble, Polaroid and Aujan Industries. With Greek and English being his mother tongues, Mr. Anastassiadis is also fluent in French, Italian and Portuguese. Born in the Democratic Republic of Congo and raised in Southern Africa, Kerry studied Commerce at the University of Witwatersrand and obtained a postgraduate title in Market Research and Advertising.

  • Marcus PuttichHead of Port OperationsTUI CRUISES

    BIO

    Marcus Puttich, a certified ship agent by the Hamburg Chamber of Commerce, started his career in the port agency department of Biehl & Company in the ports of Houston and New York. Before joining TUI Cruises in January 2014, Marcus received the degree Bachelor of Arts in Cruise Industry Management from the Bremerhaven University of Applied Sciences and graduated with a Master of Science with Distinction in Maritime Operations from the Liverpool John Moores University.

  • Michael PawlusDirector of Strategic Itinerary & Destination PlanningAZAMARA CLUB CRUISES

    BIO

    Michael Pawlus is a 29-year cruise industry veteran.  He is currently Director, Strategic Itinerary and Destination Planning for Azamara Club Cruises based in Miami, Florida.  He has the responsibility of researching, developing and implementing the deployments and itineraries for Azamara's fleet.Prior to Azamara, Pawlus has held a wide range of executive and management positions at a variety of cruise lines including Silversea Cruises, Seabourn Cruise Line, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line and Royal Viking Line.  During his career, he has been responsible for a number of innovations in the area of itinerary planning.  He has also traveled to over 475 ports of call around the world. Pawlus holds an MBA degree from Texas A&M University and did his undergraduate studies at the University of Michigan.

  • Mario ZanettiSenior Vice President Revenue Management, Costa Europe and Costa AsiaCOSTA CROCIERE

    BIO

    Experienced executive with wide expertise in Revenue Management, knowledge of strategic and dynamic pricing techniques, inventory control, forecasting/budgeting processes and models, commercial reporting. Mr. Zanetti has had a successful career at Costa Crociere since 2000 occupaying different positions: first as Inventory Control Ship Supervisor and Revenue Analyst, then as Head of Revenue Director and now as Vice President Revenue Management, Itinerary Planning, Air and Sea Operations. Graduated in Economy and Maritime Economy.

  • Chris CoatesCommercial DirectorCRUISE & MARITIME VOYAGES

    BIO

    Cruise & Maritime Voyages (CMV) is Britain’s leading independently owned cruise line launched in 2010 and part of the Global Maritime Group.

    The introduction of Columbus in 2017 has increased international Group capacity to 120,000 ocean & river cruise passengers based on 1.2 million bed nights.

    CMV is based in Purfleet (UK) and cruise operations have also been established in Australia and Germany too under the TransOcean brand and a sales office in the USA.

    The five ship ocean fleet comprises Columbus (1578pax) Magellan (1452pax), Marco Polo (840pax), Astor (578pax) and Azores (556pax) plus the current three European based river cruise ships, the Bellejour (178pax), Belvedere (184pax) and Bellefleur (150pax).

    Major source markets include the United Kingdom, Australia, Germany, France and North America.

     

    Chris Coates is the Commercial Director of CMV and also a stakeholder in the business having joined the cruise industry back in 1983 after a previous spell with Jaguar Cars.

    During his early career Chris has also worked for CTC Cruise Lines and Astor Cruises in various management positions.

    Chris was a co-founder of Cruise & Maritime Services launched in 1996 to provide ship brokerage and general sales agency services before being acquired and merged into the new CMV Group of Companies in 2011.

    Chris is based in the UK with key responsibilities covering programme and itinerary planning, pricing models and all sales & marketing related commercial activities.

    As an executive board member, Chris is part of the international strategic planning, brand and fleet development team also working closely with the product division.

  • Clare WardSenior Commercial Planning ManagerFRED OLSEN CRUISE LINES

    BIO

    Clare Ward has been Senior Commercial Planning Manager at Fred Olsen Cruise Lines since October 2016. Clare is responsible for the teams which develop all the shore based product (itinerary planning, Shore tours and development of experiences for independents) as well as the commercial team who manage the cruise pricing, purchase the bunkers, manage the relationships with the ports and port agents.

    Prior to 2016 Clare worked for Whitbread plc and David Lloyd Leisure in a variety of roles including strategic and commercial planning, food development and general management.

    Clare is married to a wine trainer and has a degree in Hotel and Catering Management, she therefore, outside of work, has an interest in food and drink!

  • Captain Antonio F. ToledoMarine Director - GMOPULLMANTUR GROUP

    BIO

  • Captain Michael McCarthyChairmanCRUISE EUROPE

    BIO

    Captain Michael McCarthy is the Commercial Manager for the Port of Cork Company Ireland, the current Chairman of Cruise Europe and past president of the Irish Institute of Master Mariners. He is a Class 1 Master Mariner and a UCC postgraduate in Management and Marketing. He has built up an extensive knowledge of the port and shipping sector over the last 44 years including many EU Funded initiatives from “Cruise Atlantic Europe” and “Celtic Wave” to Motorway’s of the Seas Projects such as “PROPOSSE” and “ATMOS” and “WESTMOS”. Michael has served in many shipping roles from Deputy Harbour Master/ Port Security/ Operations and Terminal Manager; he was a Director/ Marine Surveyor with Sea Service, Marine Cargo Insurance Surveyors and served 14 years at sea with Irish Shipping from Cadet to Master.

  • Ian McQuadeGeneral Manager PORTLAND HARBOUR AUTHORITYMember of ATLANTIC ALLIANCE

    BIO

    Ian is General Manager (Commercial) for Portland Harbour Authority in the UK and a long standing member of the Atlantic Alliance. After securing an honours degree in Business Studies he spent over 20 years in the aviation industry where he had his first involvement in the cruise business, contracting flights for the transport of cruise guests. Ian joined Portland in 2007 where he is now responsible for all the commercial activities of the business, including expanding the port’s presence in the cruise sector. Having handled just 3 calls and under 1,600 passengers in 2007 Portland currently expects 21 calls and in excess of 30,000 passengers in 2017. Membership of the Atlantic Alliance has been a key strand of Portland’s cruise marketing strategy.

  • Juergen StilleDirector Business Development Continental EuropeNORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE

    BIO

    Jürgen Stille joined Norwegian Cruise Line at its Continental Europe office in Wiesbaden on April 1, 2006 and as Director of Sales Continental Europe is responsible for the cruise line’s sales activities in 34 European countries.

    Before taking up his position with Norwegian Cruise Line, Jürgen Stille worked for AIDA Cruises where he held different executive positions, the latest being Vice President Touristic & Services. Prior to his positions in the cruise business he also fulfilled managerial tasks with Deutsche Lufthansa AG, ITS/Jet Reisen as well as Club Méditerranée Germany where he gathered substantial knowledge in the areas Sales, Marketing and Product Management.

  • John PortelliGeneral ManagerROMA CRUISE TERMINAL

    BIO

    John Portelli is the General Manager of Roma Cruise Terminal, the manager of one of Europe’s premier cruise terminals. The recipient of CLIA Italys’s Best Port Operator in 2016 and 2015, this year, Roma Cruise Terminal is expected to handle around 2.3 million passengers. John has spent the past twenty five years working in the port sector. Prior to moving to Civitavecchia in 2014, John Portelli served as the CEO of Valletta Cruise Port, General Manager of CMA CGM in Malta and director of Malta Freeport Terminals, one of Europe’s leading container transhipment hubs.  John also had a leading role in the privatisation of the ports and airport in Malta.

    A graduate from the Universities of Malta and Manchester and a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport, John has written extensively as well as designed and delivered educational programmes on port management and development.  He has also conducted a number of port and priavtisation realted consultancy assignments overseas on behalf of the World Bank, the Commonwealth Secreteriat and UNDP.

    John believes that success in terminal management is positively influenced by communication (personal and direct), investment with development (personnel, assets and systems), creativity and passion.

  • Federico BartoliHead of Itinerary PlanningCOSTA CROCIERE

    BIO

  • Joan BalaguerDirector of Cruise BusinessLOGITRAVEL

    BIO

  • Emanuele BroccoliDirector of Cruise OperationsGOWAII

    BIO

    With thirty years experience in the Tour and Travel industry, Emanuele has held positions at different Companies.

    He started his career in Club Med where he held the position of Director of Tours and Travel Activities – North America & Caribbean, based at corporate offices first in Miami then in Mexico City.

    He moved on to join Renaissance Cruises in Fort Lauderdale as part of a start up team that laid the legal and logistic ground work for deployment of two cabotage law exempt  R-class  ships in French Polynesia.

    Having completed that assignment he took responsibility for establishing the shore excursions and ground operations layout for new deployments in Spain, Portugal, the Baltic, the Fjords and finally Thailand, Vietnam and South China.

    In 2000 returning to Europe he joined Tumlare Corporation first as Sales Manager for Spain and Portugal, and successively as Director of International Sales.

    In 2008 he joined Pullmantur Cruises taking responsibility for the shore excursions programs worldwide and held the position until 2014.

    Currently as Director of Cruise Operations for Gowaii Corp he coordinates development of cruise business within the incoming division as well as development of the cruise section of the group’s OTA, Muchoviaje.com

    Holding a degree in Chinese Language and Literature from Cà Foscari University in Venice, Italy, he still likes travelling.

  • Francesc SánchezGeneral ManagerPORT AUTHORITY OF VALENCIA

    BIO

    Francesc Sánchez was born in Valencia (Spain), where he studied civil engineering at the Universidad Poltécnica de Valencia. He has a Master`s Degree in Economy and Management as well as several port specific studies. In 1983 he began his career as a senior civil servant at the Port Authority of Valencia where he worked in different positions such as Director of the Information Systems Department and the Operations Department. In 2007 he was appointed General Manager at the Port Authority of Tarragona where he was also a board member of ChemMed Tarragona, the most important chemical cluster of the Mediterranean. In 2015 he returned to the Port Authority of Valencia where he was appointed as General Manager.

    Since 1999 he has been a board member at the public company PORTEL and, since 2015, a board member at Valencia Plataforma Intermodal y Logística, a company in charge of promoting the Logistics Activity Area of the Port of Valencia. He participates as an expert in several Spanish Universities and on various international working groups in the field of port infrastructure and intermodal transport. Mr. Sanchez often shares his experience as a speaker in different forums.

    Francesc Sánchez is bilingual (in both Spanish and Valencian/Catalan) and speaks fluent English as well as French.

  • David SelbyManaging DirectorTRAVELYIELDS CONSULTING

    BIO

    David is managing director/owner of cruise industry consultancy Travelyields Ltd. For 10 years before setting up Travelyields, he was managing director of UK cruise line Thomson Cruises and previous to that held a number of tour operator related marketing, sales and yield management roles.

    In the five years since its inception, Travelyields has worked with cruise lines, ports and destinations, infrastructure investors and other cruise industry suppliers. In the last 12 months David has also created and delivered a number of interactive simulation games for CLIA, (Cruise Lines International Association) for up to 220 delegates, as part of its programme of Executive Partner Port and Destination Summits.

    This year marks the 3rd International Cruise Summit panel that David is moderating, having also moderated different topics in 2012 and 2014.

  • Josep Anton RojasManager Tourism & CityBARCELONA TURISME

    BIO

    Josep Anton Rojas (Barcelona, 1958) is a Graduate in Business and Tourism –CETT University of Barcelona-. Started his career at the hotel sector, worked several years in youth tourism, and joined the Barcelona Municipal Tourism Board in 1988 as Manager of Tourist Information Services. Since the creation of the Turisme de Barcelona Consortium in 1994 till 2016 he has been Promotion Director and has had responsibility in areas such as promotion for the leisure segment, travel trade, cruise tourism, sports tourism, emerging markets, and also research and studies.

    From March 2016 he is in charge of the City & Tourism area with the role of coordinating the Consortium tasks with the local tourism industry and the Municipal Tourism Department. He keeps the responsibility of Cruise and Sports Tourism.

  • Nuno da SilvaHotel Operations ManagerPULLMANTUR CRUISES

    BIO

  • José Llorca OrtegaPresidentSPANISH STATE PORTS AGENCY

    BIO

    José LLorca Ortega, born in Ripoll (Girona), has a civil engineering degree from  the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya and is a senior civil servant in the Technical Department of the Ministry of Defence. He has held various positions in the Ministries of Defence and Development. In the latter, the General Director of Ports and Coasts and the General  Director of Ports and State Harbours.

    He has participated in the Group of Ports of the European Union (Port Working Group) and the Group of Experts of Dragados at the London Dumping Convention of the International Maritime Organization (IMO). He has also been Secretary of the Spanish Association of Ports and Harbours (1990-2000) and a  member of the Finance Committee of the International Navigation Association (PIANC-PIANC).

    In 2000-2004 he was president of Ports and President of the public company PORTEL. During this period he was responsible for the draft Law on Financial Regime and service delivery at the ports of general interest, subsequently adopted as Law 48/2003, which represented a breakthrough in the liberalization and improvement in the competitiveness of the Spanish port sector.

    He is currently Director of the Program ROM standardization in the field of planning, design, implementation and operation of ports, having been a speaker for several of the recommendations included in the Program. He participates as an expert on various international working groups in the field of port infrastructure and intermodal transport.

  • Huguette LubranoExcursion and land programmes ManagerSTAR CLIPPERS

    BIO

    Huguette Lubrano has devoted her career to the travel industry and more specifically to the world of cruising.

    She has a thorough knowledge of the business gleaned from her years working onboard ships as well as in a shore based managerial capacity.

    After 10 years practical experience sailing the world’s oceans as Excursions Manager she joined a prestigious French Cruise company where she was in charge of designing an upmarket cruise product (researching destinations, itinerary planning and logistics) for three luxury passenger vessels.

    Later she honed her organisational skills as Head of the Travel department at RENAULT, planning events and incentive trips for the group.

    However the Cruise industry was always her major passion and in 2000 she returned to her first love, joining Star Clippers as Head of tourism and excursions. This unique company operating authentic Clipper ships has allowed Ms Lubrano to give full scope to her creativity, working within the parameters of wind powered sailing vessels.

  • Giorgio ZagamiCPO, Head of Corporate Procurement & LogisticsMSC CRUISES GROUP

    BIO

    Giorgio is Head of Corporate Procurement and Logistics at Geneva, Switzerland-based MSC Cruises. In recently established, highly-strategic position he has created a Group Procurement Function and developed projects to restructure and reorganize companies within the overall MSC Cruises group. Giorgio is also a member of the Board of Directors of MSC Italcatering.

    Previously, he was the Director of Procurement at Costa Crociere, reporting functionally into Costa’s parent company Carnival Corporation.

    Giorgio graduated in Business & Law from the University of Genoa, Italy and he completed his education by taking part in the Management Development Program at the Johnson and Wales University of Miami. Further to this, over the years Giorgio has collaborated with the University of Genoa and the MIB School of Management in Trieste. He is pro-bono member of the Board of various international NGOs.

  • Helen PanagosVP Marketing and Sales Crystal Yachts, Residences andCrystal Air Cruise Destination ExperiencesCRYSTAL CRUISES

    BIO

    Accomplished Executive with over 35 years of experience in successfully providing vision and strategy in leading teams in areas such as Sales & Marketing, Operations and reenergizing Destination Development. She oversaw many global partnerships and has solid expertise in cost efficiencies and improving companies ROIs.

    Helen has a broad experience in the cruise industry and has a great propensity for all areas of the business, making her the perfect fit to lead the very first phase in Crystal’s growing portfolio.

    Helen Panagos is Vice President of Marketing and Sales for both Crystal Yacht Cruises, and Crystal Residences also VP of Crystal Air Cruise Destination Experiences.

    Helen held executive positions at both Seabourn/Cunard in position of VP Global Shoreside Services, and after that at RCCL where she was most recently the Director of Global Product Development for all of the RCCL brands.

    Crystal Cruises is the world’s most awarded luxury cruise line, having earned more “World’s Best” awards than any other cruise line, hotel, or resort in history.  Crystal Cruises has won “World’s Best Cruise Ship” in Condé Nast Traveler’s Reader Choice Awards for 21 years; voted “World’s Best Large Ship Cruise Line” by Travel + Leisure readers for 20-consecutive years; the “Best Luxury Cruise Line” by Virtuoso; and both Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity were rated as two of the “Top 5 mid-size ships” by the 2015 Berlitz Cruising & Cruise Ships.

  • Shirley HendersonManager Shore ExcursionsCARNIVAL UK

    BIO

    Shirley Henderson has been involved in the tour and cruise industry for 32 years culminating in her current position of Head of Shore Excursions for Carnival UK.   In this role, Shirley oversees worldwide shore excursion programmes and staff, including  15 shoreside employees and 50 shipboard staff.  Shirley began in the travel industry with a 10 year career as a Tour Guide and Resort Manager for a UK package holiday company, before  moving  to P&O Cruises in 1994, where she has seen the company grow from a single brand, two ship operation to its current position as Britain’s largest cruise company.  Part of Carnival Corporation, Carnival UK  operates the P&O Cruises, Cunard and Fathom brands with a fleet of 11 ships.

    During her time in the cruise industry, Shirley has enjoyed a variety of roles within shore excursions, both onboard and ashore, and her current role has overall responsibility for the quality and effectiveness of Carnival UK’s shore excursion programmes,  including procurement, planning,  revenue generation and development of future strategies.

  • Massimo BrancaleoniSenior VP Global SalesCOSTA CROCIERE

    BIO

    Massimo Brancaleoni, aged 48, born in Genoa, is Senior Vice President World Wide Sales of Costa Cruises. He has grown a considerable experience in the company, developing multiple skills in finance, sales & marketing and strategic management. Massimo joined Costa in Paris as a Controller in 1997 and was subsequently tasked with Inventory Control and Yield Management in Genoa. In 2005 he was appointed Vice President of the newly established Pacific Asia Operations (PAO) Division, with the ambitious objective of launching Costa in the Far East, with focus on China, a global “first” for the cruise industry. After successfully completing the start-up of Costa in Asia, Massimo was appointed VP of World Wide Sales Services at the Genoa headquarters in 2009, while in April 2013 he was appointed General Manager of Iberocruceros and Costa Cruises in Spain.

  • Javier Rodríguez SánchezPort Ops, Guests & Travel Services DirectorPULLMANTUR GROUP

    BIO

    Javier Rodríguez Sánchez is 35 years old.  He holds a Nautical Studies degree and over more than 10 years experience within the Shipping & Cruise Industry.

    Prior his current position he has worked as Deck officer onboard passenger ships. Also he has worked in various organizations such as Intercruises Shoreside & Port Services and at Maersk Line as Manager, within the Logistic department, both in Spain. Currently Javier is Port, Ground & Cruise Operations Manager at Pullmantur Group.  His actual position involves the operational and financial responsibility for all Port Operations at Pullmantur Group, ensuring that all port services are performed according to the standards and policies of the company.

  • Emiliano GonzálezGeneral ManagerMSC CRUCEROS

    BIO

    Emiliano González is the Managing Director of MSC Cruises in Spain and was born in Madrid. He studied "Director of Tourism Enterprises" at the Official School of Tourism in Madrid. His career has always been linked to the tourism sector beginning  in 1967 in the historic CHAT Travel Agency , where he remained until 1980. Subsequently, he held various management positions at agencies  such as  Icab Travel, Atlanta Travel, Vincit,  Mapfre, over a period of 22 years. Emiliano joined MSC Cruises in 2002 as its Commercial Director. In 2004, he became Managing Director of the company in Spain.

  • Javier Marín MartinónItinerary Planning & Route Economics DirectorPULLMANTUR GROUP

    BIO

    Javier joined Pullmantur in 2011. Javier heads the Itinerary Planning & Route Economic Area for Pullmantur Cruises and Croisières de France since 2014.  As such, he is responsible for strategy, development, refinement and maintenance of the unique portfolio of cruise products for Pullmantur and Croisières de France, brands of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., the world's second largest cruise company. He leads the Product Managers team to develop the worldwide product portfolio strategy for each brand and market, as well as building the commercial strategy for each product and delivering solutions that will drive profitability improvement throughout an improved portfolio. Areas of focus include revenue enhancement, cost reduction, enhanced operational efficiency, and performance enhancement.

    Prior to that, Javier was the Head the Corporate Strategy & strategic Project Management Office at Pullmantur, where he was in charge of development and execution of the Company’s strategic plan, assessing international markets opportunities and deploying customized go-to-market strategies to capture share in target markets, as well as managing the worldwide itinerary planning strategy.

    Prior to joining to Pullmantur, Javier developed his career in the strategic consulting industry, leading projects on Strategy, Finance, Sales & Marketing areas in highly challenging industries. Javier worked at Deloitte and Accenture, being a founder member of the Travel & Leisure industry practice. He also worked at the M&A firm Ambers & Co, a spin-off of Arthur Andersen.

    Passionate about tourism and strategy, Javier holds a bachelor's degree in Business Administration and a MBA.

  • Jacqui NobilePort & Shore Excursions Operations managerTUI TRAVEL PLC

    BIO

    Jacqui Nobile is the Port and Shore Excursion Operations Manager for Thomson Cruises. Jacqui started her career with Thomson Holidays over 18 years ago, after graduating from the University of Bournemouth with a degree in Tourism Studies. Following a stint as an overseas representative in Menorca, Mallorca and Tenerife, she then spent 3 years working onboard Thomson Cruises vessels managing their shore excursions and all aspects of the customer service operation. In 2000, she returned to the UK where she worked with Britannia Airways (now Thomson Airways) at Gatwick Airport in ground operations.

     Finally, in 2004, she took up her current role of Port and Shore Excursion Operations Manager for Thomson Cruises - with responsibilities including shore excursion contracting, programme and delivery, and port operations for the 5 vessels Thomson Cruises operates. She is also heavily involved in the itinerary planning and port selection for all deployment areas.

  • Adam CoulterUK EditorCRUISE CRITIC

    BIO

    Adam Coulter is the UK editor of Cruise Critic, an online cruise guide, offering a comprehensive resource for cruise travellers, from first-time cruisers to avid cruise enthusiasts. The site features more than 160,000 cruise reviews and hosts the world's largest online cruise community where travellers share experiences and opinions with fellow cruisers. Cruise Critic was the first consumer cruise site on the Internet, launched in October 1995 by The Independent Traveler, Inc., a subsidiary of TripAdvisor, Inc.

    Coulter has covered the cruise industry extensively working for trade and consumer publications. A knowledgeable source on the cruise industry, he speaks and moderates at cruise events and frequently gives radio and TV interviews on all things cruise. An avid traveller, Coulter has travelled the world extensively, by land and by sea, and took his first cruise almost twenty years ago. He now travels with kids in tow, introducing a new generation of cruisers to the thrill of a holiday at sea.

  • Niamh McCarthyManaging DirectorEXCURSIONS IRELAND

    BIO

    Niamh is Managing Director at Excursions Ireland who have established themselves as the leading provider of ground services to international cruise lines visiting Ireland. With 22 years’ experience in the Irish tourism industry and 4 years working in the on board shore excursions department, firstly at NCL and then as manager at Crystal Cruises, Niamh is the ideal ambassador for Ireland as a cruise destination. In addition to her endless commitment to providing a complete, flawless service to each cruise line visiting Ireland, Niamh is involved with many of the organisations that make our island such an attractive tourist destination. Amongst other contributions, Niamh is regularly part of the team responsible for tour guide selection and training both in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland and her dedication to the success of Irish tourism and in particular cruise tourism is far-reaching and knows no bounds.

  • Maribel RodríguezCountry Director Spain, Portugal & LATAMWORLD TRAVEL & TOURISM COUNCIL

    BIO

    Maribel Rodriguez joined WTTC as Country Manager in June 2014 to coordinate Madrid Global Summit 2015 and currently responsible for business development Spain, Portugal and LATAM areas.

    Previously, Commercial Director for Travelodge Hotels Spain also served as Board Member of Madrid Hotels Association (AEHM) and member of the Commission of Tourism to promote Madrid destination.

    Maribel has extensive experience in the commercial aviation industry managing the launch and implementation of Low Cost Airlines in the Iberian Market,  such as Virgin Express, Go, EasyJet and Ryanair. She also served at Full Service Scheduled Airlines like GB Airways, Franchise partner of British Airways in Spain, Portugal and France. She has built an extensive network within the Travel and Tourism industry public and private sector.

    Overall she accumulates over 15 years of sales, marketing, communication and commercial experience in Europe.

    Executive Master in Business and Administration.

  • Ricardo MenziesChairmanMERCY SHIPS SPAIN

    BIO

    Ricardo originally studied Business Analysis and Information Systems Design and worked for 12 years developing commercial systems for large corporations in both Europe and the Asia Pacific Region. For the last 20 years he has worked in the NGO world initially with youth social work and then for the last 16 years in humanitarian aid and development, primarily with Mercy Ships. He has worked in various capacities on three different Mercy Ships, both in Africa and Central America and was COO of the M/V Anastasis, which was at that time the organizations flag ship. He is currently chairman of the board of the Mercy Ships Foundation in Spain, is a qualified rescue diver, private yacht captain and an advanced emergency medical technician.

  • Jordi FloretaVice-President & Commercial DirectorADELTE

    BIO

    Jordi Floreta is Vice President Sales of ADELTE, an engineering and service solutions company founded in 1991 in Barcelona, Spain. Jordi joined de company in 1993 as Project Manager and since then held various senior management positions before he was promoted to his current title in 2011. Before joining ADELTE Jordi was project manager with TRABOSA, a world leading Spanish designer and manufacturer of trailers and special vehicles. Jordi graduated as Industrial Engineer at the Technical University of Catalonia (UPC) and speaks English, Spanish, Catalan, French and Italian fluently.

  • Enrique López VeigaPresidentPORT OF VIGO AUTHORITY

    BIO

    Enrique César López Veiga nació en A Coruña en febrero de 1947. Licenciado en Ciencias Biológicas por la Universidad de Santiago de Compostela, obtuvo el Doctorado con la calificación de Sobresaliente Cum Laude y cursó estudios a distancia en la Facultad de Ciencias Económicas de la Universidad de África del Sur, donde logró el Grado de Bachelor of Administration.

    A lo largo de su trayectoria profesional, ha desempeñado diversas tareas de investigación y asesoramiento, además de participar en multitud de campañas oceanográficas y pesqueras y ser elegido Presidente del Comité Permanente Científico y Estadístico de la International Comission for the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries. En la empresa privada, fue Director-Gerente de la Cooperativa de Armadores del Puerto de Vigo.

    En la UE, ejerció como Jefe de División para Cuestiones Internacionales y Estructuras de la Pesca en la Dirección General de Pesca, así como en la Dirección General de la Política de la Competencia de la Comisión Europea y fue Jefe de Gabinete del Presidente del Parlamento Europeo, D. José María Gil Robles, y Director General  de Finanzas y de Control Financiero del Parlamento Europeo.

    A nivel autonómico, fue Conselleiro de Pesca durante las legislaturas 1990-1993 y 2001-2005; Diputado del Parlamento de Galicia para el periodo legislativo 2001-2005 y 2005-2009 y Senador por la Comunidad Autónoma de Galicia en el periodo 2012-2015, fue distinguido con la Medalla de Plata de Galicia por la labor realizada en el sector de la pesca y nombrado académico por la Real Academia del Mar.

    En el ámbito de la Cooperación al Desarrollo, ejerció como asesor en asuntos marítimos e inversiones pesqueras en la República del Yemen, Senegal y Argelia.

    Autor de diversas publicaciones, le fue concedido el título honorífico de Alférez de Fragata al cesar en su condición de reservista voluntario de la Armada Española.

    Desde octubre de 2015 es Presidente de la Autoridad Portuaria de Vigo.

  • Alan LamSenior EditorCRUISE BUSINESS REVIEW

    BIO

    With a background in travel writing, Alan has been a maritime writer and researcher since 2009. He contributes to various shipping publications and shipping market reports worldwide. He carries out commissioned research works for various shipping lines, ports, and consultancy firms. In addition he also fulfills the role of Senior Editor for Cruise Business Review.

    He is based in the U.K. and Hong Kong.

  • Mario SennacheribboCEOBC AGENCY

    BIO

    Mario Sennacheribbo was born in Palma de Mallorca. His Italian surname comes from the region of Piemonte where his grandfather was from.

    Mario has been involved in the Tourism industry since he was a kid due to his father being working in one of the most important travel agencies in the Balearic Islands.

    While he was studying his university degree in Chemistry, he travelled around Spain assisting the cruise ships for Viajes Formentor, his father’s company. When he finished his degree, he decided to work full time in Viajes Formentor. During this time, he did a Master course on Tourism Management (ESADE) and then he decided to expand the business and founded Baleares Consignatarios and Baleares Consignatarios Tours. Today he is the CEO for the group of companies under the name BC Agency.

  • Virginia QuintairosRegional Director MediterraneanINTERCRUISES SHORESIDE & PORT SERVICES

    BIO

    Virginia has over sixteen years of experience in the cruise Industry and has significantly contributed to the ongoing growth of the Spanish and Mediterranean cruise market. She leads the Intercruises Mediterranean region, which delivers Turnaround, Port Agency, Shorex and Hotel services in fifteen countries, at more than 100 Mediterranean destinations.

    After working for a leading Spanish based ground handler for two years, Virginia joined the cruise division of TUI Espana in 1998. She continued to develop her career in the cruise industry until 2004, when Virginia joined the events department of Boehringer Pharmaceutical. However one year later, Virginia was contacted by TUI Espana and became responsible for their cruise operations in Spain. When TUI merged with First Choice, this became part of Intercruises Shoreside & Port Services.

    Virginia completed tourism studies at Turismo Sant Igansi (TSI) and has also achieved a master in Management & Marketing for Tourism Companies from the UOC.

  • Kristijan PavićPresidentMEDCRUISE

    BIO

    Mr. Kristijan Pavić is the President of MedCruise following serving two years (2014-2016) as Senior Vice-President of the Association representing cruise ports in the Med and its adjoining seas. His professional development has so far brought him a variety of experiences within the cruise industry. Following graduation in maritime sciences (Split University), he worked as cruise company employee onboard ship. In 2006-2010 he became the General Manager of County Dubrovnik Port Authority, and since 2010 he serves the Dubrovnik Port Authority. He has been professionally active in cruise destination management, the enhancement of the cooperation between ports and cities, as well as in the development of partner relations between cruise market stakeholders, in the Adriatic Region and beyond.

  • Carla SalvadóDirector of Cruise MarketingGLOBAL PORTS HOLDING

    BIO

  • Arnt MollerCOO Cruise & FerriesPORT OF COPENHAGUE

    BIO

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