CLIA has announced changes to the format of its annual conference in Southampton in response to feedback from travel agents. The 2027 event will take place from May 13th to 15th and will feature an extended trade fair, new practical workshops and business sessions spread across 2 days.
The first business session will be held at the Kings Conference Centre in Hedge End, followed by a second session on board P&O Cruises’ Britannia. Four new themed workshops will focus on areas including sales and marketing, sector-specific topics and guidance for agents who are new to cruise. Cruise line representatives and subject specialists will lead the sessions.
The trade fair will also be extended to provide additional time for networking and meetings with industry representatives. Delegates will have a choice of ship visits to Celebrity Apex or Sky Princess, with each tour beginning with a CLIA overview of current cruise industry trends.
Andy Harmer, CLIA UK & Ireland managing director, said the changes had been developed in response to delegate feedback, with the revised programme designed to provide more time for business sessions and networking while adding practical workshops and greater flexibility for attendees. He added that ship visits and direct access to cruise lines would remain central elements of the conference.
Registration will open on October 8th, while details of the conference theme and keynote speakers will be announced at a later date.