The full program is now live for Travel Weekly's CruiseWorld. The theme for this year's event is "Charting Our Course" and is designed to bring together the travel advisor community and the industry leadership to have live discussions and take those next steps together. CruiseWorld will be held over three full days, from Nov. 11 to 13.
The programming will include education, networking, engagement and one-to-one appointments.
"In 2020, more than ever, we believe firmly in the power of connection. And we are dedicated to delivering on the quality educational content and the supplier and advisor connections that are staples of CruiseWorld," said Alicia Evanko Lewis, executive vice president of the Travel Group Global Events. "This virtual event will play an integral role in ensuring travel advisors have the tools and relationships they need to move into 2021 and towards recovery."
Access to industry leadership will be unprecedented this year during the three days of general session programming. General sessions each will include conversations with cruise line CEOs Arnold Donald of Carnival Corp., Gianni Onorato of MSC Cruises, Richard Fain of Royal Caribbean Group and Frank Del Rio of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings.
There will be opportunities for live Q&A with these leaders, who will share insights and discuss the challenges the industry has faced during the pandemic. Individual brand leadership and sales and marketing execs will also be joining live general sessions. View the full roster of industry leadership here.
In addition, advisors will be able to "chart your course" with a selection of more than 30 critical conversation sessions, workshops and supplier training sessions from which to choose. The programming has been retooled to be more accommodating to a virtual environment, which means short bursts of learning, more in-depth training and opportunities for interactive conversations.
We know travel advisors are craving interaction with their peers and wanting to share best practices. Each day will offer peer sessions where advisors can share success strategies for business skills, marketing and customer development, and allow for idea exchange, questions and conversation. In addition, there will be Chill or Chat session time built in each day for you to exchange ideas and information with your peers in a video face-to-face environment.
More than a dozen peer-to-peer advisors are among the speaker roster, bringing the voice of the travel advisor right to the screen each day in multiple ways. View the full list of advisor speakers here.
A bonus to the virtual format is that many sessions will be recorded for viewing at a later date. Event content will be accessible only to registered CruiseWorld attendees through the end of 2020. The full virtual event agenda can be viewed here.
The signature Exhibitor Showcase will remain a large component of the event. The new format allows for expanded access to supplier partners with Exhibitor Showcase access on both Thursday, Nov. 12 and Friday, Nov. 13. Advisors can pre-schedule specific times to connect one-on-one or drop by a virtual booth to chat with representatives during the dedicated Exhibitor Showcase hours. A complete list of participating exhibitors can be found here.
A portfolio of virtual ship inspection and resort inspection options will also be available to all attendees.
Advisors can register for CruiseWorld at an anniversary rate of $100 to celebrate CruiseWorld's 10th year. Head to www.cruiseworldshow.com for more information or to register.
UPDATED: This report was updated Oct. 26.