CLIA Predicts Solid cruise3sixty Attendance

Since its launch by Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) in 2004, cruise3sixty, an annual cruise industry conference and trade show, has grown bigger every year. It looks like 2011 will be no exception, according to CLIA.

With about two months to go before the April 14-18 event at the Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center, organizers predict another year of sellout attendance.

"We thought the tremendous excitement of being in Vancouver last year might be hard to top, but, at the rate we’re receiving registrations, it looks like 2011 in Fort Lauderdale may sell out even faster," said Bob Sharak, CLIA’s executive vice president for marketing and distribution. "We’re already very close to full capacity, so anyone who wants to attend and has not registered should do so very quickly."

This year’s cruise3sixty will be the first opportunity for many agents to officially meet CLIA’s new president, Christine Duffy, who will be joined in Fort Lauderdale by cruise line presidents, sales and marketing leaders, industry experts, representatives from cruise destinations all over the world, industry suppliers and 1,500 CLIA member travel agents.

Joining American Express, cruise3sixty’s presenting sponsor, are over 30 other sponsors, including Greater Fort Lauderdale, Port Everglades, Amadeus and Sabre, all of which are gold sponsors.

Participants at cruise3sixty can "Fast Track" their CLIA Certification as Accredited or Master Cruise Counsellors with 16 CLIA seminars to select from as well as attend cruise line and destination workshops, the gala CLIA Cruise Industry Hall of Fame induction festivities and enjoy outstanding entertainment presented by leading cruise lines, CLIA notes.

This year’s cruise3sixty trade show is expected to feature more than 300 exhibition booths. A selection of 19 cruise ships will be available for scheduled inspections during the event.

Visit www.cruise3sixty.com.