Alfredo Serrano
National Director, Spain, CLIA

Biography
Alfredo Serrano leads public affairs and strategic engagement with ministries, regional and local administrations and national stakeholders, as well as the direct relationship with the CLIA partners and members in Spain. Alfredo held the position of Managing Director at the Spanish cruise line Iberojet Cruceros, a division of the Iberostar Group. In 2007 Carnival Corporation & PLC acquired Iberojet and rebranded it to Iberocruceros, where Alfredo remained as the Managing Director. He was responsible for launching the company as a key player in the Spanish travel market by diversifying its customer base and establishing a presence in South America. Alfredo obtained the degree of Industrial Engineering from the Polytechnic University of Madrid and holds an MBA from INSEAD (Fontainebleau, France).

Ana Karina Santini
AVP International Destination Development, Royal Carribbean Group

Biography
Ana Karina Santini was born in Argentina. She pursued her undergraduate in Political Science & International Relations from the University of Córdoba (Argentina), and obtained a Masters in International Cooperation from the University of Bologna (Italy), supplementing these two with studies at the European Commission DG1 International Cooperation (Brussels) and a second degree in Political Science with an economics focus at the University of Genoa (Italy). 
She joined MedCruise as Secretary General in 1997. After 6 years she opened her own firm, providing consultancy activities to ports, cruise terminal companies, industry exhibition and congress organizers, local governmental bodies and tourism boards, shipping and tour agencies in the cruise sector in the Mediterranean and Latin America Regions. 
In 2012, Karina joined RCG following PR and Communications, theme cruises and new products.  Over time she has assumed responsibilities as an operating company Board of Directors member in RCG’s port companies and developing new infrastructural projects. She now covers International Destination Development, embracing EMEA and APAC regions. 
Ana Karina lives in Genoa (Italy) with her husband and her 17 years old son.

Andy Harmer
Managing Director CLIA UK & Ireland, CLIA

Biography
Andy first joined the Association in 2006 after many years in the travel industry, including as a travel agent. Andy re-launched CLIA’s travel agent programme in the UK and later extended it to European countries, during which time agent and cruise line membership reached record levels.
CLIA now offers a multi-layered programme that encompasses blended learning to recognise different learning styles. In 2021, Andy was promoted to CLIA UK & Ireland Managing Director.
Andy was recognised by Travel Weekly UK in 2019 for his contribution to the UK travel industry. He was presented with the 2022 Peter Grant Contribution to the Cruise Industry Wave Award for ‘his tireless work to promote the cruise sector and provide valuable resources to travel agents’, and a 2023 Travel Weekly Globe Travel Award for Outstanding Achievement.
Andy was awarded an OBE in the Queen’s 2022 Birthday Honours List, for services to the maritime sector.

Carla Guilbaud
Vice-President, Membership Experience, CLIA

Biography
Carla Guilbaud is Vice President, Membership Experience for Cruise Lines International. In this role, Guilbaud leads the Membership and Commercial elements that are so critical to support and provide value to our members and commercial partners around the globe.

Carlos Romero
Director of Tourism Research, Development and Innovation, SEGITTUR (Spanish State Secretariat for Tourism) 

Biography
Carlos Romero is the Director of Research, Development and Innovation of SEGITTUR, www.segittur.es, a public company belonging to the Spanish Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Tourism, area from which he is responsible of promoting innovation and use of new technologies at the tourism sector. During the last years he has been in charge of the Spanish National Innovative Tourism Startups & Entrepreneurs Program (Emprendetur) and the Smart Tourism Destination initiative.
Carlos got a degree in Economics, and IE Executive Master in Tourism Management. For several years he has been working at the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) with different responsibilities as Executive Director of the UNWTO Affiliate Members and as General Manager of the UNWTO.Themis Foundation. He has extensive experience in the tourism sector, both nationally and internationally in the fields of tourism innovation, new technologies, travel tech sector, smart destinations, economic impacts of tourism and tourism information systems.

Erik Roscam Abbing
Great Whale Conservatory

Biography
I am a consultant, teacher and thought leader in ecosystemic innovation for sustainability and urban challenges, with 27 years of working experience. My career has been a mix of industrial design, service design, entrepreneurship, strategic consulting and teaching. I strive to be a source of inspiration to fellow practitioners, clients and students by applying designerly ways of working to strategic issues such as brand development, customer insight research, innovation strategy and customer experience. My key traits are empathy, curiosity, ability to connect, intelligence and passion.
I specialise in strategic consulting and entrepreneurship in sustainable urban development, especially where it concerns areas where urban centres meet rivers, seas and oceans. I have a strong affinity for the complexities of urban development in South East Asia. I focus my pro bono work on marine conservation, especially whales.

Chris Nicolaides
CEO, ICCS

Biography
Principal of ICCS Corp. Business Consultant and Expert in international tourism, aviation & cruise development, for private and public sector companies and organizations in Greece and abroad. Has collaborated in high ranked positions with major and important tourism development organizations, as well as in the transportation sector, utilizing expertise and experience over 35 years on the subject.specially for the last 15 years in the cruise business development, acting as change agent fostering innovation and collaborate with governments, organizational leaders, and local authorities to demonstrate innovative methods of effective cruise traffic management, waste reduction, efficiency improvements, environmental protection, alternative energy development, and focus on the financial aspects required to sustain organizations and individuals. Providing also guidance toward a continual improvement effort which results in sustainability.
He has participated as head for development projects, programs and initiatives of the EU. He was member of organizing committees of major international athletic and tourism development events like Olympic Games, investment and development conferences for the cruise industry, transportation and tourism, etc. Finally, he is visiting professor and author for post graduate studies in tourism management in Greece and abroad, member of international organizations, speaker and moderator at conferences of the broader field of tourism, aviation & cruise development.

Davide Falteri
VP Nazionale Federlogistica, Consigliere delegato City of Genoa

Biography

Institutional Profile
Municipality of Genoa’s Councillor delegate to the “New Production/Buisiness Settlements” of the Municipality, he supports Mayor Marco Bucci in fostering the most favorable and suitable conditions for making the territory competitive and ready to welcome new entrepreneurial realities, also in view of the centrality of the Port of Genoa and the related activities. He contributes to supporting the digital and energy transition of the transport, logistics and shipping chain, taking care of highly-priority strategic development projects related to digital logistics on behalf of the Municipality.

Entrepreneurial profile
Network entrepreneur, he has been working in the Transport, Logistics and Shipping sector for over twenty years. He is responsible for stimulating the competitive growth of human and digital resources in the supply chain, favoring the meeting between supply and demand through commercial scouting, recruitment and industrial relations. Through the consortia and companies of which he is president, he is all about stimulating competitive growth. He holds numerous membership positions in different trade associations in Italy representing the interests of the sector, such as Federlogistica, Fai (Italian hauliers federation) and Confcommercio (General Federation of Italian Commerce and Tourism). 

Daniel Buchmüller
River Cruise Representative, CSO River Advice AG

Biography
Daniel Buchmüller began his career in the river cruise industry in 1994 with a small Dutch river cruise company. After holding various management positions in the cruise and event industry, he joined the River Advice group in 2011.
River Advice is the leading independent white label ship management company for river cruising and operates over 70 passenger vessels on European inland waterways.
Daniel Buchmüller is board member of the European Barge Union, board member of the Swiss Association for the Shipping and Ports and Vice President of the European River Cruise Association IG RiverCruise.

Eirill Bachmann Mehammer
Senior Consultant, DNV

Biography
Eirill Bachmann Mehammer graduated from Imperial College London in 2017 with a first class masters degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering, specializing in electricity and energy. As part of her studies, she had a six-month industrial placement at SINTEF Ocean, where she worked with maritime energy. After graduating, she worked as a Research Scientist and Project Manager in the department of Electric Power Technology at SINTEF Energy Research. In this role, she developed a new focus area related to electrification of maritime transport and the green ports of the future. Among others, she developed, and was central in the management of, the innovation project ElMar, the competence-building project InterPort and the Green Platform project ZeroKyst. She was also a founding member of IEA Task 47 on port electrification. Furthermore, she worked with offshore wind and was part of the management team for FME NorthWind. From August 2022 until March 2023, Eirill was based in Brussels, where she was following the energy situation and the research & innovation programmes closely, with a focus on offshore wind and decarbonisation of maritime transport. Eirill joined DNV in April 2023 as a Senior Consultant within green shipping. In this role, she has worked with green shipping corridors, electrification and hybridisation of vessels, and charging infrastructure. Among other responsibilities, she is project manager for the Green Shipping Programme, the Knowledge basis for the European Cruise Investment Plan, and the Barometer for the green transition of Norwegian shipping. She is also chapter author for the Maritime Forecast to 2050, and task leader for pilot studies and collaboration platform in the Nordic Roadmap project.

Elena Di Tizio
MD, GDM Training Center , Cosulich Kerstin Will, Director HR Fleet

Biography
April 2020 to date
Managing Director of GDM (Gente di Mare) Maritime Training Founder, Partner and CEO of the first compulsory maritime training centre in the Tuscany region. IMO STCW International Maritime Organization Courses.
2005 – 2022
Customer Care Manager – Azimut Benetti Group SpA Customer Service Manager for the Giga Yachts refitting area, for the first building yard in the world for the locations of Livorno, Viareggio and USA
2000 – 2005
Executive PA for the Director of Laboratori Guidotti SpA, Menarini Group Pharmaceutical Company in La Vettola (Pi), Italy
1996 – 1999
Purser for Ro-Ro Pax Shipping Companies in Italy

Fran Golden

Biography
Fran Golden is an award-winning travel writer who focuses on the cruise industry. Her work regularly appears in such leading publications as Bloomberg Pursuits and Businessweek, Travel + Leisure, AFAR and Conde Nast Traveler. Fran’s writing about cruises has been recognized with awards by the Society of American Travel Writers (SATW) Lowell Thomas Foundation and the North American Travel Journalists Association (NATJA)—and is often informed by her sailing on more than 170 ships (and counting!) during her career. Her resume includes travel editor for the Boston Herald and Gatehouse Media, travel news editor for AOL and cruise editor for Travel Weekly. She developed the Experience Cruise website for USA Today. Early in her career, she worked in radio and as a TV reporter in Connecticut. 

Francesco Galietti
National Director, Italy, CLIA

Biography
Francesco Galietti is National Director, Italy. Francesco is a policy expert, an author and a commentator in both the international print and broadcast media. His professional track record before joining CLIA includes three years as “Consigliere” at the Italian Ministry of Finance and advisory assignments with other Italian public institutions (Cassa Depositi e Prestiti, Government task force on sovereign wealth funds).

Frigg Jørgensen
CEO, Association of Arctic Expedition Cruise operators (AECO)

Biography
Frigg Jørgensen has been involved in Arctic tourism for 30 years. She has managed Svalbard Tourism/Visit Svalbard and coordinating the establishment of Svalbard Tourism Board. She has also worked as tourism adviser at the Governor of Svalbard, before entering the position as executive director of AECO – the Association of Arctic Expedition Cruise Operators. Her work has been focused on sustainable and responsible tourism, especially in the Arctic expedition cruise industry. Environmental challenges, Maritime Safety, Preparedness and Search & Rescue (SAR), Community Engagement, and Knowledge have been focusing areas with strategic planning, international and government relations, cross sector collaborations as inclusions.

Gilda Hernandez-Maskivker
Deputy Dean Tourism IQS School of Management

Biography
Current professional activity:
– Director of the Tourism Department IQS School of Management
– Director of the Tourism, Sustainability and Innovation Chair at IQS
– IP Research Group Tourism, Hospitality and Mobilities (IQS School of Management Ramon Llull University)
– Professor in Tourism Marketing and Research Methods (Bachelor’s Degree in Tourism and Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing)
– Supervisor of Bachelor’s Degree Thesis and Master’s Degree Thesis. Coordinator and Jury Member of the Final thesis

Gyda Gudmundsdottir
Position – Society

Biography
Gyda joined AECO’s on May 1, 2022, as Community Engagement Specialist and is now Head of Community Engagemetn, based in Copenhagen, Denmark. She works on developing framework and tools related to AECO’s Community Engagement, and has a special focus on Iceland in her role, working to achieve dialogue, partnership and community engagement.
Gyda became acquainted with the cruise industry in Wonderful Copenhagen, working for the Cruise Baltic Network. After moving to Iceland in 2016 she worked hands on handling port calls in Reykjavik as Port Agent and Key Account Manager for Gára Port Agency. She then took over as General Manager for the North Atlantic Agency in 2017, a network of port agents in the North Atlantic and the Arctic. During the summer of 2018 she lived in Nuuk, working for Royal Arctic Line, handling cruise calls and implementing a port operations software with the Greenlandic team. After spending her summer in Greenland, Gyda moved back to Copenhagen.
As well as being General Manager at NAA, Gyda was spokesperson for Cruise Iceland for a year.
Gyda holds a BA in Int. Sales and Marketing management from CPH Business Academy and is almost done with her masters in Strategy and Leadership from the University of Iceland

Ilaria Wambach
Head of crew experience MSC Cruises

Biography
HEAD OF CREW EXPERIENCE (GLOBAL)
May 2023 – Leading the Corporate Crew Development & Experience Team (130), look after our crew (30K onboard and 15K at home) manning our 22 ships. Working closely with Technical Teams, Ships, Shipyards, and Executive Team in HQ, the focus of this role is on the training and development of all crew members, talent management of senior managers, internal mobility, compensation & benefits, and the welfare onboard of our ships to ensure their fast career development and their wellbeing enabling the Company to reach NPS and business objectives.
HEAD OF HR (GLOBAL)
August 2018 – April 2023 With the evolution of the Company, progressed from my previous role and created the Corporate HR Team to support the fast growth of the HQ. Provided strategic direction, leadership, and support to senior management on all HR topics. Led strategic initiatives (company values, global TA strategies, digitalization, organisation redesign, opening of new offices, etc.) while creating and ensuring implementation of universal HR processes and policies. Led international HR Teams across multiple regions ensuring consistent employee experience and engagement.
HR MANAGER CRUISES
December 2013 – July 2018
Working closely with the CHRO, built from scratch the Corporate HR Function as well as supported the owner and top management in setting up the HQ in Geneva to accompany the business 2 development plan (from 12 to 22 ships, 2017-2023). Provided 360-degree strategic HR support to 25 shoreside offices based in 20 countries around the world (3500 employees).

István Ujhelyi
Vice-President of the Transport Committee, Member of the European Parliament

Biography
MEP dr. István Ujhelyi is a Hungarian politician who has been serving as a Member of the European Parliament since 2014 in the fraction of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists & Democrats. He is the vice-chair of the Committee on Tourism and Transportation (TRAN) and substitute member of the Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI). As of this year, he is also a member of ENVI’s Subcommittee on Public Health, SANT. Even before the Covid-19 pandemic, he started floating the idea of a minimum standard for healthcare in the European Union, and he took part in the creation of S&D’s Position Paper on the European Health Union in 2020. In 2022, together with healthcare organizations and colleagues, he launched the European Health Union Network, a roundtable between organizations and the parliament with his leadership.
In addition, together with colleagues from S&D, he is actively working on the creation of a task force or a working group on Mental Health Strategy. He holds a law degree from József Attila University in Szeged. He has been active in Hungarian politics since 1996 and he held several significant positions such as State Secretary in the Prime Minister’s office in 2009-2010 and state Secretary in the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development in 2006-2008. In 2022, he established Esély Közösség – the Hungarian Community of Chance, which focuses on social democratic values and helps bringing civilians together with everyday problems – be it social or health related – and solve the issue, move forward together as a community.

Jason Park
Senior Vice President of Global Government Affairs, Managing Director for North America, CLIA

Biography
Jason Park joined CLIA in September 2023 in the new role of Managing Director for CLIA in North America, and Senior Vice President for Global Government Affairs. In this position, he oversees government relations, public affairs, policy development, and membership and commercial efforts in the United States and Canada, reflecting similar CLIA structures in Europe, Australasia, and South America.
Jason has more than 20 years of experience in government affairs and policy development in international and national arenas. Previously he served as Head of Federal Government Affairs, Americas, at Expedia Group, Inc., where he was responsible for the company’s outreach strategy with governments in the United States and foreign capitals. Throughout his career, Jason has successfully navigated complex legislative landscapes and fostered critical relationships with key stakeholders at various levels of government.
A graduate of Yale University with a degree in Political Science, Jason earned his Juris Doctorate degree from Columbia University School of Law. Before joining Expedia Group, he spent more than a decade on Capitol Hill, notably playing an instrumental role in negotiating significant provisions in trade-related legislation during his time as International Trade Counsel on the Senate Finance Committee. He also worked as an international trade lawyer at Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld. He currently serves on the boards of Asian American LEAD and The Travel Technology Association. 

Jelka Tepšić
Deputy Mayor of Dubrovnik

Biography
• Head, Sector for Communication Tactics, Dubrovnik Tourist Board, since 2012
• Director, Dubrovnik Tourist Board, 2008 – 2012 • Head, Public Relation and Special Events, Dubrovnik Babin Kuk since 2003 • External Consultant, various national and local media
• Administrative Secretary, Marin Držić Theatre
• Receptionist, Dubrovnik Sun Gardens; Hotel Dubrovnik Palace

Jennifer Williams
VP, Maritime Policy, CLIA

Biography
Jennifer Williams is Vice President, Maritime Policy at Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) in Washington DC, where she develops, presents, negotiates, and implements global industry positions on legislative, regulatory, and policy matters involving ship design, operation and engineering. She is accredited to the International Maritime Organization where she represents the global cruise industry during international treaty negotiations and other matters. She is also the designated Secretary to the CLIA Global Committee on Maritime Safety Matters as well as the Cruise Ship Safety Forum and its Steering Committee.
Jennifer has diverse expertise in maritime safety, security and marine environmental protection. Having retired from the U.S. Coast Guard with nearly 30 years of service, she has held a variety of operational and staff positions which included Sector Commander Los Angeles/Long Beach where she served as Captain of the Port and Director of Inspections and Compliance in Washington DC, where she oversaw developed and maintained regulatory policy, standards, and program alignment for all prevention activities associated to the safe operation of vessels and facilities. She managed policy development for the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary, recreational boating safety, foreign and domestic commercial vessels compliance inspections, ports and facilities safety and security, vessel documentation, and marine casualty investigation.
She is a 2006 graduate of the National Graduate School in Quincy, Mass., where she received her Master of Science degree in Quality Systems Management, and a 1990 graduate of the United States Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, NY where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Marine Transportation as well as her Third Mate’s Unlimited Tonnage U.S. Coast Guard License. 

John Portelli
General Manager Roma Cruise Terminal

Biography
John Portelli is the General Manager of Roma Cruise Terminal, the manager of one of Europe’s premier cruise terminals. Roma Cruise Terminal, whose shareholders include Costa Crociere, MSC and Royal Caribbean, was the recipient of CLIA Italys’s Best Port Operator in 2016, 2015 and 2019. In 2023, RCT handled 3.3 million passengers.
John has spent the past thirty 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 privatisation 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 most importantly passion.Ut wisi enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamcorper suscipit lobortis nisl ut aliquipex ex ea commodo consequat.

Jonathan Hawkings
Director, Government Relations UK & Nordics, Royal Caribbean Group

Biography
Jonathan Hawkings joined Royal Caribbean Group in March 2022 as Director, Government Relations UK & Nordics.
Jonathan is the primary interface between the company and local and national politicians, regulators, trade associations and legislative bodies. He is responsible for advocacy and engagement on public policy issues in the UK and Nordic region. Jonathan has over 15 years of experience in policy and public affairs. He has worked at high profile trade associations, most recently as Director of Policy at ADS, representing the UK’s aerospace, defense, security and space industry. Prior to that he worked for SMMT, the UK’s trade body for the automotive industry and for the CBI in Brussels on EU policy and legislative affairs. Jonathan graduated from Loughborough University with a degree in European and International Studies and holds a post-graduate Diploma in Public Affairs and Political Communication from the Charted Institute of Public Relations (CIPR).

Jose Manuel Pagés Sánchez
Director of the Agenda 2030 by AIVP (International Association Cities and Ports)

Biography
Dr. José Manuel Pagés Sánchez is the Director of the AIVP Agenda 2030, Projects and Content in AIVP (International Association Cities and Ports). José Sánchez has been working in AIVP since 2016 in different positions to improve the relations between cities and ports by promoting dialogue and cooperation. He is an architect by training, having received his bachelor and master degree in architecture and planning at Lisbon’s Technical University, but his passion for port and urban development led him to pursue a PhD in Hamburg’s Hafencity University, completed in 2019, focused on sustainable port-city relationships. In his research career he received different grants to pursue his investigation from organizations such as the Übersee-Club from Hamburg or the Cusanuswerk Studientstiftung as well as academic awards. Previously, Jose Sánchez has worked as an architect in renowned practices, and as independent consultant, lecturer and researcher.

Julie Green
VP of Strategic Communication, CLIA

Biography
Julie Green joined CLIA in Europe in January 2020 as Vice President of Strategic Communications. Julie is an expert communicator with a strong background and combined experience in corporate PR and Public Policy. Previously, Julie headed up global communications for the infrastructure business at the engineering firm Bechtel, where she helped to transform the company’s approach to reputation management. During her time at Bechtel, she introduced and ran strategic communications and thought leadership programs across multiple markets, including central and eastern Europe, and the Middle East. With a proven track record of results-oriented.

Karyn Gruenberg
Position – Society

Biography
Details coming soon

Kelly Craighead
President & CEO, CLIA

Biography
Kelly Craighead is the President and CEO of Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), the world’s largest cruise industry trade association and the leading the authority of the global cruise community. She is responsible for overseeing the management of the global operations and CLIA leadership teams across its seven regions around the world. Ms. Craighead comes to CLIA with extensive experience serving in executive leadership positions in the public and private sectors.
As the first executive director of the National Travel & Tourism Office at the U.S. Department of Commerce from 2014 to 2017, Ms. Craighead served as the senior government representative for travel and tourism matters on behalf of the administration. In addition to providing overarching coordination of federal government tourism policies and programs, Ms. Craighead led initiatives that generated more than $250 billion annually from international visitors to the USA while also representing the United States as the key point of contact with other government tourism ministers in critical travel and tourism policy efforts.
Prior to her role at the U.S. Department of Commerce, Ms. Craighead served as President and Managing Director at Democracy Alliance where she provided essential management capacity to evolve the organization from inception to steady state. Earlier in her career, Ms. Craighead held leadership roles on the White House staff from 1993-2001 and traveled extensively within the United States and abroad and developed a far-ranging network of partners in government, public affairs, media, and business. Immediately before her appointment to CLIA, Ms. Craighead was Principal of Vertimas Consulting, a consultancy she founded to deliver strategic planning, business development and executive leadership support to variety of private sector clients including The World Travel and Tourism Council where she served as a Special Adviser. In 2017, Women in Travel and Tourism Industries (witti) named Ms. Craighead “Outstanding Woman in Travel and Tourism Leadership.

Klaus Bondam
Director, Cruise Baltic

Biography
Klaus Bondam was born in 1963 on the Danish island Bornholm to a Danish mother and a Dutch father. He has lived over 25 years of his life in Copenhagen. Today he lives with his husband on a small farm in Odsherred, Denmark.
He is originally trained as an IT assistant, customs officer and actor. As an actor, he had an exciting career on films a.o. the internationally acclaimed Dogme-film ‘Festen’ (‘The Celebration’).
He has also been a theater manager at Grønnegårds Teatret and Folketeatret in Copenhagen. He has been a member of the Copenhagen City Council for 9 years (2002-10) elected for the social liberal party Radikale Venstre. He has served as Mayor of Technology and Environment (2006-09) and Mayor of Employment and Integration (2010).
He lived in Brussels for three years (2011-14), where he was Director of the Danish Cultural Institute/Benelux. In the years 2014-22 he was the director of the Danish Cyclists’ Federation. From 2023 he has been the director of the two network organizations Cruise Baltic and CruiseCopenhagen. He is a part of the senior management at the regional tourist organization Wonderful Copenhagen.
In his spare time, he relaxes in the garden and when cycling. In addition to being interested in Danish and European politics, he is also very interested in art and culture; he does this by going to the theater a lot, watching many movies and TV series and visiting art museums.

Luca Fanciulli
Director, Crew Management Leisure, V-Group

Biography
Born in Genoa with a degree in local University in Political Science, International law, Luca has almost 30 years in Shipping business with 25 in crewing operations. Currently working as Crew Director for V. Ships Leisure SAM, the cruise arm of V.Group. Board Member of the Propeller Club of Monaco and member of CLIA Labour Affair working Group.

Maria Deligianni
National Director, Eastern Mediterranean, CLIA

Biography
Maria Deligianni is National Director, Eastern Mediterranean based in Athens, Greece. She joined CLIA in March 2018 and is responsible for government and public affairs issues in the region. Maria has been involved in the shipping industry since 2011.
Before joining CLIA, she worked for the European Community Shipowners’ Associations (ECSA) in Brussels as a Senior Advocacy and Policy Advisor on maritime safety, environmental and offshore shipping issues. Previously she spent time at the European Commission’s Director General Mobility and Transport Directorate in Brussels as well as SQE Marine Group and PriceWaterhouseCoopers (PwC Greece) in Piraeus and Athens.
She holds an executive Master in Maritime Science (MSc) degree from the University of Ghent in Belgium as well as an MSc degree in International and European Studies from the University of Piraeus and a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Public Administration from the University of Athens.

Marie-Caroline Laurent
Director General in Europe, CLIA

Biography
Marie-Caroline is a transport policy expert who has worked in leadership roles at the International Air Transport Association (IATA) for nearly a decade, including serving as Assistant Director for EU Affairs. Previously she worked in policy development for the Association of European Airlines and has also served as a parliamentary adviser at the European Parliament and as senior policy officer at the American Chamber of Commerce to the EU. She joined CLIA as Director-General in Europe in November 2021.

Marina Hadjimanolis
Shipping Deputy Minister, Cyprus

Biography
Marina Hadjimanolis was born in Ammochostos in 1973. After the Turkish invasion of 1974, at the age of one, she settled in Lemesos with her family. She is a graduate of Lanitio Lyceum B, Lemesos. She studied Law at the University of Leicester in the United Kingdom, where she was awarded the degree of Bachelor of Laws (LLB Hons).
She was awarded the title Barrister at Law from the Inns of Court School of Law in London, as a member of Lincolns Inn in England. She is a member of the Cyprus Bar Association and the Lemesos Bar Association. She practiced the law profession for many years, in a law firm, as well as in companies as a legal advisor.
She has been an elected Municipal Councillor in Lemesos Municipality since 2016. She actively participates in numerous committees of the Municipality and she is a member of the Board of Directors of the Sewerage Board of Limassol. She was a founding member of the Youth Chamber of Commerce of Lemesos, President of the Parents’ Association in Primary Education, Member of the Federation of Parents’ Associations and Guardians of Primary Schools of the city and District of Lemesos and she is an active member of public and private charities of the city.
She has received honorary awards for her social and charity work. With her own contribution, a Blockchain application was implemented for the Municipality of Lemesos for the first time, for the electronic issuance and authentication of documents of the Municipality, allowing the residents of Lemesos to receive quality service in a digital environment. Since 2021, she has been the first female honorary member of Europa Uomo Cyprus, where she pioneered in the campaign to raise awareness and prevent prostate cancer.
Her political activity began from her school years as an active member of the Student Movement (MAKI) of NEDISY Lemesos, then in Protoporia of England and then in NEDISY and the Democratic Rally. During the 2023 presidential election campaign, she held the position of Director of the Political Bureau of the President-elect of the Republic of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides. She is the mother of three children, Harry, Melani and Christina.

Maribel Rodriguez
Senior Vice President – World Travel & Tourism Council

Biography
Maribel has more than 25 years of experience in the travel and tourism sector with executive responsibilities in international organizations, commercial aviation, hospitality, destination management and academia. She is currently Senior Vice President of WTTC and member of the board of directors leading the Commercial, Business Development and Private Sector Relations. Previously CCO and Member of the Operating Committee of Travelodge Hotels where she also served as a Member of the Board of Directors of the Madrid Business and Hotel Association and of the Tourism promotion Commission. Previously she spent a decade in commercial aviation overseeing the launch and operations of low-cost airlines in the Southern European markets for Virgin Express, Go-Fly, Easy Jet and Ryanair airlines. In addition, she was Commercial and Marketing Director at GB Airways/British Airways for the markets of Spain, Portugal and France. In 2020 she founded with a group of professional women a non-profit organization, Women Leading Tourism, to support women’s leadership in the travel and tourism sector. She graduated in Industrial and Social Psychology from the University of Salamanca with stays in Coimbra, Portugal and Leuven, Belgium. She studied an Executive MBA at ICADE Business School and a SEP in Tourism Boards of Directors Programme.

Michael Jaworski
Director, Global Crew Government Relations and Visas, Royal Caribbean Group

Biography
Michael Jaworski, Global Director Crew Government Relations, and Visas for Royal Caribbean Group has over 42 years of experience in Government Relations pertaining to global crew and passenger visas issues/processing. Michael’s long tenure with the airlines and with the Royal Caribbean Group has enabled him to build a global relationship with U.S and foreign Embassies, Consulates, and Immigration officials in most countries, ports, and airports worldwide. His long tenue with CBP (CIQ prior) has forged a trusting and solid relationship bridging and resolving issues plaguing the industry. He has been an active member of CLIA U.S. / CLIA Europe Visa Subcommittee group pertaining to maritime visas which has reshaped the landscape for seafarers. He is regarded as an industry S.M.E. for the Global Maritime Sector around the world to help resolve crew visa and port immigration / customs issues. His passion and top priority for his 90,000 crew members (“his Internal Guests”), keeps him busy 24/7, to ensure their safe, compliant passage from their front door to their ship and return.

Martyn Griffiths
Director, Public Affairs, CLIA

Biography
Martyn Griffiths is a Welsh man who has been living and working in Brussels since 1999. He is currently the Director Public Affairs at the Cruise Lines International Association a position he has held since 2016. He is responsible for issues management and developing proactive communications around the industry’s sustainability initiatives.
Previously he spent six years at the animal welfare NGO, Eurogroup for Animals, helping the organisation redefine its purpose from a legislative focus to a proactive campaigning focus. He has also worked for CEPI the European Paper Producers Association where he developed their sustainability approach including the Paper Value Tree and Meet Paper initiatives.
His first appointment in Brussels was as Communications Manager with the European Council of Vinyl Manufacturers where he developed the industry’s 10-year sustainability programme, Vinyl 2010, as well as the industry’s award-winning specifier engagement programme, PVC for Life and Living.
His background saw him study Management Science at Aston University in the UK followed by post-graduate studies in Media and Public Relations at the Welsh School of Journalism, University of Wales, in Cardiff. He is a specialist in issues and crisis management and has worked for many organisations in all sectors of society helping them manage major change programmes and major customer/audience issues management programmes

Michele Francioni
Chief Energy Transition Officer, MSC

Biography
Michele Francioni joined MSC Cruises S.A. in September 2018 as Senior Vice President. On January 2024 he has been appointed as Chied Energy Transition Officer, leading the decarbonization strategy of the Company. Among his current responsibilities, Michele leads the Sustainability team of MSC Cruises.
Michele has strong background in shipping and maritime technology. He holds a Master degree in Naval Architecture and Mechanical Engineering from the University of Genoa. He started his career at the Italian Classification Society RINA, as a structural engineer and marine surveyor before being appointed as Asia General Manager and lately he served as CEO of RINA Services S.p.A. for over 6 years.

Nick Powell
Principal Consultant, Ricardo

Biography
Nick is a Principal Consultant at Ricardo, a global strategic, environmental and engineering consultancy. He is based in the UK and has over 35 years experience in propulsion system development and technology strategy projects including studies on decarbonization in the maritime sector. Nick has led multiple projects relating to engine technology strategies and market assessments including alternative marine fuel market share forecasts, methanol propulsion market and technology reviews and the impact of new marine emissions regulation.
Nick holds a 1st class honours degree in mechanical engineering, a PhD from Cambridge University, an MBA, and is a Fellow of the Institute of Mechanical Engineers.

Nicole Yeomans
Senior Offshore Account Executive, Nature Metrics

Biography
Nicole, Cruise and Shipping Lead at NatureMetrics, seamlessly integrates scientific expertise with industry insight. Pioneering the utilization of nature intelligence and eDNA technology, she spearheads a collaborative initiative with MSC Foundation and MSC Cruises to address critical ocean data gaps. At the core of NatureMetrics’ mission to transform global biodiversity data, Nicole’s background in marine molecular ecology and marine policy positions her to comprehend challenges and opportunities.
Having previously steered the industrial sector towards nature-positive outcomes in large infrastructure projects and sustainability within UK marine planning, Nicole is at the forefront of driving positive environmental impact. Currently, she facilitates data collection within MSC cruise routes, unveiling the hidden wonders of marine life. This invaluable data, extending beyond informing conservation decisions, is shared publicly through platforms like GBIF and eBioAtlas, fostering widespread awareness and inspiring action.
Simultaneously pursuing a PhD on the commercialization of conservation and restoration practices, Nicole envisions a future where protecting biodiversity aligns seamlessly with business success. Join Nicole as she illuminates the transformative power of data, collaboration, and innovative solutions in safeguarding cetaceans for generations to come.

Nikos Mertzanidis
Vice President Ports & Destinations and Taxation, CLIA

Biography
Nikos Mertzanidis is Vice President, Ports & Destinations and Taxation at Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) where he is responsible for developing, presenting, negotiating, and implementing European industry positions on legislative, regulatory, and policy matters involving taxation, port & destination, public health, crew and visa issues. In addition, he is the designated Secretary to the CLIA Europe Port & Destination Advisory Committee and the Taxation, Labour Affairs and Public Health Working Groups.
Mertzanidis joined CLIA in 2016 as manager, European Government Affairs and was promoted to his present position in 2024.
Prior to joining CLIA, Mertzanidis was a political advisor, working on the Constitutional Affairs Committee of the European Parliament, and later joined Imperial Brands Ltd. where he was the chief lobbyist focused on taxation, new generation products, and consumer affairs.
A seasoned government and public affairs professional, with expertise in EU policy making and European business regulation, Mertzanidis is a long-standing member of the International Political Science Association and the Society of European Affairs Professionals.
Born and raised in Greece, he studied political science and international relations at the University of Macedonia in Greece, working in parallel for the UNESCO Chair for Intercultural Policy. In 2009, he earned his Master’s degree in International Politics at the University of Aberystwyth in Wales, and in 2022, he will complete his PhD, with an emphasis on International Relations and Affairs, from the University of Macedonia.

Paul Trouth
Communications Coordinator, HELCOM

Biography
Paul Trouth is an experienced communications professional with a proven track record in government administration. Currently serving as the Communications Coordinator for EU Mission Ocean’s PROTECT BALTIC project, Paul also takes on the pivotal role of leading two critical work packages: communication and outreach, and sustainability. PROTECT BALTIC, a flagship EU-funded initiative, aims to achieve significant milestones in the protection and restoration of the Baltic Sea. Specifically, the project endeavours to meet the ambitious target of designating 30% of the sea as protected areas by 2030, with 10% under strict protection—a key objective under the EU’s Biodiversity Strategy. Prior to his current role, Paul spent more than a decade as part of a large communications team at the European Chemicals Agency, where he specialized in news production and content editing while also developing a versatile skill set across various communication disciplines. He holds a Master of Arts in English Philology from the University of Helsinki, Finland.

Sascha Gill
Vice President Environment & Sustainability, CLIA

Biography
Sascha has previously worked as Vice President, Nautical Operations and hs had several roles within hotel operations, and learning and development, for Viking. Before working in the cruise sector, Sascha held the position of Senior Consultant Brand Protection for Richey International with responsibility for Asia and the US. Previously, Sascha worked for leading hotel brands, namely Marriott, Intercontinental and Hilton. Sascha’s cruise experience also includes roles onboard Seabourn Cruise Line and Cunard.
Sascha holds a Doctorate in Business from Nottingham Trent University, an MBA from Oxford Brookes University and is currently studying Environmental Policy Making and International Negotiations.

Steve Jones
Director Fundraising & Operations, ORCA

Biography
Steve is the Director of Fundraising & Operations at ORCA, a UK-based whale and dolphin NGO that works with the cruise industry to monitor and protect whales and dolphins around the world. Steve works with the shipping industry to develop high impact conservation projects addressing threats to large whales such as ship strike, responsible whale watching and commercial whaling. Steve also developed and oversees ORCA’s innovative Ocean Conservationist program, where the charity place professional conservationists onboard cruise ships and ferries around the world to enrich the guest experience whilst conducting citizen science research to help us better understand some of the world’s most important whale and dolphin habitats.
ORCA have been working with the shipping industry for over 25 years, helping to monitor whales and dolphins globally and support the sector in creating safe habitats for marine mammals in all five oceans.
To find out more about some of ORCA’s conservation projects, visit www.orca.org.uk

Tania Marcos
Head of Quality & Smart Sustainable Cities, UNE. Vice Chair U4SSCU4SSC The “United for Smart Sustainable Cities” (U4SSC), a UN initiative

Biography
Tania is Smart Sustainable Cities coordinator at the Spanish Association for Standardization – UNE, where serves as Manager of the Standards Committee for the deployment of smart sustainable cities, communities, and tourism destinations. She is Vice-Chair of the UN initiative ‘United for Smart Sustainable Cities (U4SSC)’ leaded by ITU, UNECE and UN-Habitat, an international platform for information exchange and partnership building to guide cities and communities in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals; and has participated at the expert group meeting for the thematic review of SDG 11 and SDG 9 in preparation of the HLPF 2023.
She is also Vice-chair of ITU-T Study Group 20 on ‘Internet of things (IoT) and smart cities and communities (SC&C)’ on behalf of the Spanish State Secretariat for Telecommunications and Digital Infrastructures, where promoted the development of the ITU Recommendations on Smart City Platforms and interoperability and is editor to Y.MIM on ‘Minimal Interoperability Mechanisms for Smart and Sustainable Cities and Communities’.
Tania is engaged with the European Commission through the Living-in.EU initiative, supporting the deployment of local digital twins, MIMS and the European Interoperability Framework for Smart Cities and Communities (EIF4SCC), and participated at its networking event at last World Urban Forum, WUF11.
She represents Spain at the ISO, IEC and JTC1 relevant Committees on SC and at the CEN-CENELEC-ETSI Sector Forum on Smart and Sustainable Cities and Communities, where was liaison to the European Innovation Partnership on Smart Cities and Communities (EIP-SCC); and is Head of the Spanish delegation to CEN/TC 465 on Sustainable Cities and Communities, where is co-leading the standardization on Nature-Based Solutions. Senior Standardization Programme Manager, Tania has successfully performed different roles in a wide range of developments at European, LATAM and international level, including EU-funded R&D projects, for the public and private sectors covering Quality and Sustainability, with a particular sensitivity towards accessibility, conformity assessment and green & digital transition.

Tino Hensel
PVP Marine Human Resources, Carnival Maritim

Biography
Tino Hensel has been working in leading positions in the maritime industry for more than 25 years. Apart from previous assignments in a well-known shipmanagement company he built up his career at AIDA Cruises and supported the company in its growth period by holding various positions in different areas of responsibilities. His focus is set on Human Resources. Besides establishing a sustainable organization, he constantly looks for innovative approaches in human resources management in the maritime area with special attention on education, development, and support of personnel on board of ships. In the year 2008 the European Cruise Academy was built up under his lead which included the introduction of state-of-the-art education and development programs for the cruise industry. Tino Hensel holds the honorary post as Chairman of Labour Subcommittee with CLIA Europe in Brussels and he engages himself actively for the interests of the cruisy industry in this position. Since April 2015 Tino Hensel has been in the position Vice President Marine HR with Carnival Maritime in Hamburg. Supported by 25 employees in his department he is in charge of the management of more than 4000 employees working in the nautical and technical areas on board of 26 cruise ships of the Costa Group (AIDA Cruises, Costa Cruises, Costa Asia).

Tom Strang
SVP Maritime Affairs, Carnival Corporation

Biography
Tom is a chartered Naval Architect who started his career in British Shipbuilders in Barrow-in-Furness. He then joined Lloyd’s Register where he was involved in all aspects of shipbuilding and ship survey, finishing up as a Senior Passenger Ship Specialist. He joined Carnival Corporation & plc in 2000 and has had a variety of senior roles across the group, including three years as SVP Marine Operations for Costa Cruises. Now SVP Maritime Affairs, Tom is based in the UK where as well as being responsible for Carnival’s LNG strategy and ship recycling, he leads our engagement on regulatory aspects of decarbonisation. He chairs several industry committees including the CLIA EU Sustainability Advisory Committee, ICS Passenger Ship Panel, Royal Institution of Naval Architects Environmental Committee and the UK Chamber of Shipping Safety and Environmental Committee and Carbon Working Group. He is Chairman of the Board of the Society for Gas as a Marine Fuel (SGMF) and a board member of SEA-LNG and the UK CoS.

Tor Christian Sletner
National Director, Norway, CLIA

Biography
Tor Christian Sletner has his primary education from the Royal Norwegian Navy; at the Coastal Artillery School of Appeal, the Naval Academy’s Operative Line and the Navy’s Staff School. In addition, he holds a degree in Economics from the University of Oslo and an MBA in Strategic Management from the Norwegian School of Economics. Following 15 years of service in the Navy, he began his civil career at Vestfold University College, later he became Deputy Director of the Norwegian Coastal Administration. Until he joined CLIA and has worked at the Norwegian Shipowners’ Association since 2010. Finally, he has been a board member in the Norwegian NOx fund, permanent representative of the Norwegian delegation to IMO and over years jointed and worked in committees in both International Chamber of Shipping and the European Community Shipowners’ Association.

Barbara Muckermann
President of Silversea

Biography
Barbara Muckermann is the President of Silversea, as well as a member of Royal Caribbean Group’s Executive Committee.
Muckermann joined Silversea in October 2001, returning as Chief Marketing Officer in 2016 to lead the company’s brand evolution and help establish the company as the world’s leading ultra-luxury and expedition cruise line. Muckermann has played a pivotal role in the launch of such pioneering travel concepts as Silversea’s S.A.L.T. culinary programme and the cruise line’s Roman-inspired wellness programme, Otium, among others.
A Doctor in Political Sciences and Economics, with a joint Executive MBA from the London Business School and Columbia University, Muckermann is an accomplished professional in the luxury travel and hospitality industries, with more than 25 years of experience. Muckermann has held strategic marketing positions with multiple luxury and cruise brands, including Loro Piana, NCL, and MSC. She also formerly held the position of Chairwoman of the Reputation Committee of CLIA.
An expert in luxury, Muckermann has taught Branding and Strategy at numerous universities. The Italian national is the second woman to lead one of Royal Caribbean Group’s three wholly owned brands, and currently serves as a Global Member of the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC).

Bill Burke
CMO Carnival Corporation

Biography
Vice Admiral William Burke is the Chief Maritime Officer for the Carnival Corporation & plc. He joined Carnival Corporation in December 2013. Burke graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy with a Bachelor of Science in Systems Engineering, completed his MBA at Marymount University, and received Master of Science in National Security Strategy at the National War College. He is a graduate of MIT Seminar 21 Program in International Politics. Adm. Burke served on five submarines including command of USS Toledo and commanded Submarine Squadron Two. His Washington, D.C. assignments included tours in Navy Office of Legislative Affairs, JCS directorate for Combating Terrorism, Navy Warfighting Assessments Branch and as Executive Assistant to the Vice Chief of Naval Operations. His flag assignments included Command of Logistics Group Western Pacific in Singapore, Director of the Assessment Division (N81), and Director of the Navy Quadrennial Defense Review (N00X). He served as Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Fleet Readiness and Logistics (N4) and his final assignment was as Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Warfare Systems (N9).Vice Admiral William Burke is the Chief Maritime Officer for the Carnival Corporation & plc. He joined Carnival Corporation in December 2013. Burke graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy with a Bachelor of Science in Systems Engineering, completed his MBA at Marymount University, and received Master of Science in National Security Strategy at the National War College. He is a graduate of MIT Seminar 21 Program in International Politics. Adm. Burke served on five submarines including command of USS Toledo and commanded Submarine Squadron Two. His Washington, D.C. assignments included tours in Navy Office of Legislative Affairs, JCS directorate for Combating Terrorism, Navy Warfighting Assessments Branch and as Executive Assistant to the Vice Chief of Naval Operations. His flag assignments included Command of Logistics Group Western Pacific in Singapore, Director of the Assessment Division (N81), and Director of the Navy Quadrennial Defense Review (N00X). He served as Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Fleet Readiness and Logistics (N4) and his final assignment was as Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Warfare Systems (N9).

Daniel Frakas
Xxxxxxxx

Biography
Daniel Farkas is the Executive Vice President and General Counsel of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. (NYSE:NCLH), which operates Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, and Regent Seven Seas Cruises, and brings more than 25 years of legal experience. Daniel oversees all aspects of the Legal division, including Risk Management, Corporate Governance and Compliance, Passenger and Crew Claims, and Governmental Affairs. He also serves as the company’s Corporate Ethics Officer.
Before joining the company, Daniel served as an assistant State Attorney for the Eleventh Judicial Circuit in Miami-Dade Country under both Janet Reno and Katherine Fernandez Rundle. Daniel was also a partner at a boutique law firm specializing in maritime litigation.
Daniel earned his Bachelor of Arts in English and America Literature from Brandeis University in Massachusetts, and his Juris Doctorate degree from the University of Miami. 

Gianni Onorato
Chief Executive Officer, MSC Cruises

Biography
As Chief Executive Officer of MSC Cruises, Gianni Onorato oversees the Company’s growth from its Geneva-based headquarters and reports to the Board of Directors and to its Executive Chairman, Pierfrancesco Vago. With over 30 years’ experience in the cruise industry, Mr. Onorato has a finely developed understanding of the cruise business and extensive knowledge in senior executive leadership, having served as President of Costa Cruises from 2004 to 2013.
Born in Italy, Mr. Onorato graduated from Naples’ Istituto Orientale with a degree in Foreign Languages and Literature in 1983 and then specialized at SDA Bocconi School of Management in Milan and INSEAD in Fontainebleau. He began his cruise industry career in 1986 at Costa Cruises as Food and Beverage Manager before becoming Cruise Product Director. From 1997 he served as Vice President & Cruise Operations Director and was responsible for logistics and provisioning, as well as all activities relating to calls, excursions, and hotel operations.

Harry Sommer
President & CEO, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. (NCLH)

Biography
Harry Sommer is President and Chief Executive Officer of S&P 500 company Norwegian Cruise Line Ltd. (NYSE:NCLH) which operates Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises. Sommer, an over 30-year cruise industry veteran, assumed this role on July 1, 2023 after previously serving as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company’s largest brand, Norwegian Cruise Line. In this role, Sommer led sales, marketing, revenue management, passenger services, itinerary development and international business development and operations for Norwegian Cruise Line.
Under his leadership, Sommer navigated the cruise through the industry’s toughest period in its history and successfully relaunched its fleet of ships following a more than 500-day paise; delivered the first-in-class Norwegian prima, the first ship of six ships in the Brand’s first new class in nearly a decade; and led the team to achieve a record-breaking booking year in 2022. In addition to his role at Norwegian Cruise Line, Sommer also assumed oversight responsibilities in January 2023 for all of the Company’s other revenue generating functional areas which included Oceania Cruises, Regent Seven Seas Cruises and the tri-branded Onboard Revenue department.
Previously, Sommer served as President, International for the Company’s portfolio of award-winning brands including Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, and Regent Seven Seas Cruises. In this role, he was responsible for sales, marketing, public relations, business development, and office operations for all markets outside of the United States and Canada. Sommer led efforts to expand the Company’s global footprint with the opening of several offices around the world and significantly strengthened its international presence.
During his tenure in the industry, Sommer held a variety of executive roles at Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd., Prestige Cruise Holdings, Renaissance Cruises and Viking River Cruises including Executive Vice President, International Business Development; Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer; Senior Vice President Finance; Chief Information Officer and Chief Accounting Officer. He also co-founded Luxury Cruise Centre, a high-end travel agency specialising in premium and luxury cruise experiences. Sommer holds an MBA from Pace University and a BBA from Baruch College, both in New York City. 

Luca Pronzati
Chief Digital Technology Officer, MSC Cruises

Biography
Luca Pronzati is the “Chief Business Innovation Officer” of MSC Cruises. He reports directly to Mr. Gianni Onorato, CEO of MSC Cruises. He oversees the overall company’s ongoing “Digital Transformation and Innovation Program”, supporting the company’s long-term vision strategy from MSC Cruises headquarter in Geneva (Switzerland). Mr. Pronzati is Seasoned Keynote Speaker and Innovation Influencer in several worldwide events.
Mr. Pronzati is responsible to outline the big picture vision to spread the culture of innovation inside the company, to enable the disruption of current business models, to leverage on emerging technologies (such as Digital Channels, Wearables, IoT, Bots, AI & Robotics, AR&VR, etc.) to accelerate the transformation and to keep the company competitive in the market.
He is successfully spearheading the launch of a 10-plus years investment plan of digitalization, with the adoption, on new next-generation mega cruise ships, of “MSC for Me”, the industry-first digital innovation program designed to elevate the on-board customer experience by enhancing the way guests interact each other’s, with the ship and the crew members (www.msccruises.com/en-gl/Discover-MSC/MSC-for-Me.aspx). To further enrich the MSC for Me ecosystem, Mr. Pronzati and the Business Innovation Team introduced in March 2019 Zoe, the industry-first virtual personal cruise assistant, powered by artificial intelligence, developed in partnership with Harman and Samsung Electronics. In the last edition of CES 2020 in Las Vegas MSC Cruises released a new report called “The Future of the Guest Experience,” which explores the trends that will impact the future of the travel industry. For the christening of the new ship MSC Virtuosa, in May 2021, the Innovation Team sailed off onboard the ship Rob, the first humanoid robotic bartender at sea, the main character of the immersive, futuristic MSC Starship Club, an entertainment bar experience.
Mr. Pronzati holds a Masters’ degree in Electronic Engineering. He holds further degrees in Financial, Business and Marketing trainings attended at SDA Bocconi and other top-class institutes.
Mr. Pronzati began his career in the 2000s at Siemens. In 2002 he took on the position of International Business Development Manager of Postel. He joined Carnival Corporation & Plc in 2003 as Manager, Management Advisory Services. In 2008 he took over the responsibility as Senior Manager Continuous Improvement, Business Development, Revenues Enhancement & Cost Optimization of Costa Crociere. In 2012 joined MSC Cruises, recruited by the Chairman, to orchestrate the “MSC 3.0 Enterprise Transformation Program” targeting millions of euro of investments optimization and consolidation.
In his current role as “Chief Business Innovation Officer” of MSC Cruises Mr. Pronzati heads a team of more than 50 internal professionals and more than 100 FTEs externals around the world, including but not limited to, strategic partners such as Samsung Electronics International, Deloitte Digital, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, McKinsey, Boston Consulting Group and others who are focusing on disrupting the cruise industry going through a significant digital transformation, building smart ships and setting a new standard of digital excellence at sea.
With nearly 20 years’ experience in digital innovation and in the cruise industry, Mr. Pronzati has a finely developed experience in boosting productivity and extensive knowledge in senior executive leadership.

Mario Zanetti
President Costa Crociere

Biography
Mario Zanetti was named President of Costa Cruises in March 2021, reporting directly to Michael Thamm, Group CEO, Costa Group & Carnival Asia. In his role of President, he oversees the Costa brand across the world, including Asia, with the aim of guiding Costa to strengthen its leadership in Europe, South America and Asia, and ensure profitable and sustainable growth in the long term.
A veteran in the cruise sector with over 20 years of industry experience, Zanetti began his career in 1999, when he joined Costa Revenue Management unit based in Genoa headquarters, which he brought to excellence over the years. In 2017 he was named President of Costa Asia, where he demonstrated great leadership capabilities, promoting important innovations in Costa’s local business. Since July 2020 he has been back in Genoa to take also the position of Chief Commercial Officer of Costa Cruises, showing sharp decision-making skills and vision during these challenging months.
Zanetti studied maritime economy at University of Genoa and completed his executive education by attending general management programs at Insead Business School. 

Pierfrancesco Vago
Executive Chairman, MSC Cruises

Biography
Leads the Cruise Division of MSC Group, the leading, privately held Swiss-based shipping and logistics conglomerate. From the Division’s global headquarters in Geneva, Mr Vago sets the strategy and long-term vision of MSC Cruises, the world’s third largest cruise brand, and Explora Journeys, the Group’s new luxury travel brand.
Mr Vago focuses on the two brands’ sustained growth, fleet development and the division’s overall terminal portfolio. He also oversees other MSC Group subsidiaries in maritime passenger shipping, including ferry operator GNV. As Chair of the MSC Foundation’s Executive Committee, Mr Vago leads MSC Group’s philanthropic efforts, focusing on conservation, humanitarian and cultural projects seeking to restore the critical balance between people and nature within a generation.
Mr Vago was appointed Global Chairman of CLIA, the cruise industry’s international association, in January 2021. In this role, he led the efforts to resume service around the world following the global halt of cruise operations brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. He has been closely involved in the association for many years, having previously held the position of Chairman, CLIA Europe.
As CEO of MSC Cruises from 2003 to 2013, Mr Vago oversaw the company’s first phase of expansion, which saw 12 purpose-built cruise ships join the brand’s fleet in just ten years, to become the leading line in Europe.
He began his professional career in the family business, Franco Vago SpA, one of Italy’s leading transport companies, before joining MSC Group’s Cargo Division in 2000, where he was Line Manager for the USA, Mexico and Canada. Mr Vago studied Economics at St Catharine’s College, University of Cambridge, UK. In his free time, he is happiest spending time with his wife and two young children and is particularly passionate about sailing, skiing, and football. 

Alessandro Carollo
Associate Vice-President Government Relations, Royal Caribbean Group

Biography
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Andreas Ullrich
Global Market Leader, Passenger Ships & Ferries, Bureau Veritas

Biography
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Anne Albercht
Director Logistics, Costa

Biography
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Armando Carrara
Director Procurement FB, Hotel, New Build OS, Silversea Cruises

Biography
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Chris Theophilides
CEO Celestyal Cruises

Biography
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Dirk van Aarsen
Vice President Marine Operations, Carnival Maritime

Biography
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Elisabetta de Nardo
VP Port Development, MSC

Biography
Since September 2018, Elisabetta De Nardo works for MSC Cruises VP Port Development.
In this role, Elisabetta reports to the SVP Port Development and Shore Side Activities, supporting the establishment and development of strategic partnerships with the global cruise port community.
Since February 2024 she’s Chairman of the CLIA Europe Port & Destination Advisory Committee, for her second mandate.
Elisabetta joined the cruise industry in 2007, having first worked in the cargo shipping business, where she reached the level of Director, Operations. Ever since, she has worked for Costa Crociere and then for Silversea Cruises, where she was appointed Vice President, Port & Destinations Operations.
Elisabetta has a University degree in Shipping & Maritime Economics and a Master in Cargo Marine Surveying (London).

Gianluca Suprani
SVP Port Development and Shoreside Activities, MSC

Biography
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Giorgio Zagami
Chief Procurement Officer, Explora Journeys

Biography
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Herve Gastinel
CEO Ponant

Biography
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James Wells
SVP, Global Chief Supply Chain Officer, Royal Caribbean Group

Biography
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Jes Nauckhoff
Sustainability and ESG Manager, MSC Cruises

Biography
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Kati Lehtoranta
Principal Scientist Emission Controls VTT Research Center Finlan

Biography
Kati Lehtoranta joined VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland in 2011 and currently acts as Principal Scientist in Transport emission control team. Kati has over 20 years research and development experience in the field of engine emissions and emission reduction technologies, focusing mainly on marine and HD sectors. She has led large research projects involving several research and industry partners, currently she is coordinating an EU funded GREEN RAY project to reduce methane slip from LNG vessels. She has a docentship at University of Vaasa. She started her career at Tampere University of Technology achieving the Doctor of Science in 2006. Following that she worked over 4 years at catalyst company Ecocat developing after-treatment systems to reduce engine emissions.

Linden Coppell
Vice-President Sustainability & ESG, MSC Cruises

Biography
Linden Coppell has more than 20 years of senior experience in sustainability and environmental protection within the travel industry.
She joined MSC Cruises at its Geneva-headquarters in 2018, establishing the MSC Cruises’ Sustainable Advisory Board, led by Executive Chairman Pierfrancesco Vago, that approves actions throughout the company to meet its corporate sustainability goals and ensure sustainability is embedded across all business functions.
With the aim of becoming a net zero emissions organisation by 2050, Linden is responsible for tracking and reporting on the company’s decarbonisation strategy and she also has the same responsibility for sister company Explora Journeys, the luxury travel brand of MSC Group.
Linden manages the publication of MSC Cruises’ annual Sustainability Report and represents the company on several external programmes and initiatives, including the Sustainability Taskforce of the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) and the Sustainability Committee of the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA).
She is a regular panellist and presenter at maritime events around the world and on behalf of MSC Cruises Linden received the ‘Sustainability Initiative of the Year – 2023’ accolade at the Seatrade Cruise Awards for the world’s first net zero emissions cruise operated by the ship MSC Euribia.
Linden joined MSC Cruises after 10 years at the UAE’s national airline Etihad Airways where she was Head of Sustainability.  Previously she was Manager Environmental Affairs at Hong Kong-based airline Cathay Pacific for six years. Prior to that Linden had been a sustainability and environmental protection consultant for national governments and private companies in Southeast Asia.

Palle Laursen
Executive Vice President, Head of Marine, Royal Caribbean Group

Biography
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Paolo Raia
Managing Director, MSC Procurement & Logistic

Biography
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Patrick Augier
Secretary General, Ponant

Biography
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Sandra Weir
Government Relations & Public Affairs, Sr Director, NCLH

Biography
Sandi brings over 20 years of valuable experience to the vibrant tourism and hospitality industry, with a specialized focus on the cruise sector for the past 15 years.  During her tenure with Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, she has led NCL’s shoreside operations in Hawaii, spearheaded business development initiatives, and held a key leadership position in Revenue Management.  In her current role, she leads Global Government Relations for all three of Norwegian’s brands alongside managing Public Affairs. Through her current responsibilities, she effectively integrates her extensive cruise experience, which encompasses shore excursion development and operations, port operations, contract management, community engagement, itinerary design, and optimizing revenue. 
Prior to Norwegian Sandi held positions at Cendant Corporation in their travel division.  She began her career in the Oil and Gas industry in Calgary, Canada.  Weir has a Bachelor of Commerce (Honors) degree in Finance and holds a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) designation.

Sandra Yunta
Terminal Director, MSC Cruises

Biography
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Simone Tommaso Maraschi
Maraschi Managing Director, Cruise Gate Hamburg

Biography
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Wybcke Meier
CEO TUI Cruises

Biography
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Yana Grundke
Chief Business Officer for Cruise, Port of Roenne

Biography
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Lamiaa Albert
Senior Information Technology Officer, Product Management Sector, euLISA

Biography
Lamiaa joined eu-LISA in May 2021 as Product Manager of the Webservices for the new EES (Entry/Exit) and ETIAS (the European Travel Information and Authorisation) systems. In her current position she supports carriers, travel industry and the eu-LISA project teams in the implementation of the EES and ETIAS systems.
Prior to joining eu-LISA, she worked as a Head of Security and Governments Projects in private sector, leading the Passenger Data Transmission from carriers to various authorities in the EU, connecting more than 200 airlines, over multiple airports and systems. In addition, Lamiaa has worked as a Business Analyst and Project Manager at Amadeus.

Heino Nau
Xxxx

Biography
Dr. Nau coordinates the work on International Blue Economy in the European Commission. He closely cooperates with international organisations like the European Investment Bank, the OECD, the World Bank, the United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) and other UN agencies. European Cruise Tourism is part of his portfolio.
He previously coordinated the EU Arctic Policy in the European Commission and was an EU observer in the Arctic Council.
Prior to joining the European Commission, he worked for leading research organisations in Germany, France, the U.K., and the U.S. He authored and co-authored several books and published numerous articles in refereed journals

Ingo Soerensen
Area Vice President, Global Cruise Sales, Oracle

Biography
Ingo Soerensen is a seasoned professional with over two decades of expertise in the global cruise industry. In his current role as Area Vice President Global Cruise Sales at Oracle Hospitality, he brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the industry. Throughout his illustrious career, Ingo has played a pivotal role in shaping the cruise industry by leveraging technology and innovation. Ingo’s expertise spans a wide range of areas, including revenue management, guest services, operations, and digital transformation

Ioannis Pappas
Director Mediterranean Region, GSTC

Biography
Dr Ioannis PAPPAS, Founder & CEO of GREEN EVOLUTION SA, is Director for Mediterranean Region of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC). He is a Mechanical Engineer, with PhD in Applied Mechanics, with over 30 years’ experience in several fields of science, focusing in Sustainability for Tourism, Energy and Environmental Efficiency in Infrastructure and Buildings, Advising in standardization of companies and technological implementation of climate adaptation and mitigation methodologies. He is Lead GSTC Assessor for Destinations, Auditor / Assessor for Sustainable Tourism Certification Standards, focusing on Hotels, Tour Operators and Destinations, Lead Trainer and Assessor for GSTC in South East Europe Region. He was an invited speaker in a large number of seminars and webinars, including European Commission, GSTC and Google.

Luis de Carvalho
Council member of Cruise Europe, Port of Copenhagen

Biography
Luis de Carvalho is one of the leading Port and Destination Development Planners in the World. His extensive career in the cruise and travel industry spans over 38 years including positions with Premier Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean Cruise Line, Hilton Hotels, Crystal Cruises, TUI AG, Tumlare Corporation, Kuoni DMC, Consult DC and for the last 10 years CEO of the Europe’s division of leading AEP firm Bermello Ajamil & Partners Inc.
His experience covering more than 450 ports and destinations around the world allows him to understand the logistics and requirements involved in the delivery of a successful cruise port and destination, and Luis has personally overseen the delivery of over 50 projects in the last 15 years.
Currently Luis holds the position of Commercial Cruise Director for Copenhagen Malmö Port (CMP) in addition to be a member of the Cruise Europe Council and a member of the Danish Tourism Advisory Board.

At CMP and as part of a well-structured team, he is responsible for the cruise commercial activities at the ports of Copenhagen, Malmö and Visby which welcome approx. 500 cruise ships and 1 million passengers yearly. Copenhagen is the leading turnaround port in the Baltic Sea Region and one of the most important cruise ports in Northern Europe. CMP has the ambition to become one of the most sustainable ports in the world and is well underway to become CO2 neutral by 2025 by amongst other things focusing on an effective and sustainable cruise service.
Luis is also a regular speaker at international cruise and tourism events with over 75 appearances in the last 15 years.

Maria Garbarini
Head of Passenger Ships Excellence Centre, RINA

Biography
Maria Garbarini is the Head of Passenger Ships Excellence Centre at RINA Services S.p.A. With a decade-long tenure in a shipping company, she specialized in overseeing new building, conversion, and engineering projects, as well as managing funded innovative projects. Transitioning to RINA in 2018 as a passenger ships engineer, Maria focuses on implementing cutting-edge products and value-added services in the passenger ships sector. She actively contributes to RINA’s Decarbonization Committees, dedicated to exploring alternative fuels, new technologies, and operational strategies to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions. Currently, Maria leads a team that provides a unique source of expertise to the cruise and ferry industry, concentrating on energy transition and safety considerations. Maria holds a degree in Naval Architecture and Mechanical Engineering from the University of Genoa and is a Member (MRINA) of the Royal Institution of Naval Architects.

Marika Mazzi
XEU ECO-CRUISING FU_TOUR project

Biography
Founder, Major shareholder, Innovation Strategy Director at X23 — The Innovation Bakery™ (a European, multidisciplinary, independent, and private Research Center, registered at the Ministry of Research and University in Italy at #60954DHH). Mother of 4, one day I’ll stop and rest on my favorite island. But not yet. Industrial leadership program expert at European Commission, at #EX2014D166255.

Neil Lamerton
Xxxx

Biography
Neil Lamerton is currently a UK based bunker supplier and trader with the Italian company Alpha Trading Spa. Alpha specialises in Bunker Supply in Italy & Worldwide Trading and Biofuels supply as well as Bitumen and products supply in Italy.
Neil Started his career as a Navigation Cadet with P&O Steam Navigation Co, before coming ashore in 1983 buying bunkers for P&O, before working as a broker in AJ Speed & Co, a trader for Marubeni, a broker/trader for Wake Marine, Davies and Newman Wake, and KPI Bridge Oil. He then took on the role of Global Head of Bunkers for Gulf Petrochem based in Dubai, and in 2017 set up his own bunker broking company Oceanic Energy. He spent a year working for the broker trader LQM before joining Alpha trading in 2021.
Neil has always been interested in the technical and specification issues in the bunker Market and looking at the alternative fuels side of the business.
He was a founder member of the International Bunker Industry Association, is a member of the Energy Institute and is a member of the Worship Company of Fuellers in London.

Paola Strata
Maritime Courses Manager, Coordinator, Italian Shipping Academy

Biography
Maritime Courses Manager – Didactical Coordinator // Responsible for internationalization
It is delegated to operate on everything connected with the management/organization of the Accademia Foundation, with particular reference to the core business of the structure, or to the maritime courses (courses for officer/officer/master/director/commissioner and alignment). Management and coordination of the Maritime Courses Office and teachers for the conduct of training courses. Responsible for the internationalization of students and the Academy structure, managerial functions in the management of relations with abroad, within the associations IAMU and IAPH. Responsible for the management and organization of summer/winter schools for foreign universities and for the Government of Panama.

Chen Shi
Vice President of Goldwind Green Energy and Chemical

Biography
Detail coming soon

Svetlana Cuk
Shore Excursions Product Development Manager

Biography

• Overseeing the product content and delivery, negotiating costsand developing new tours with the aim to grow revenue andimprove guest satisfaction in specific geographical regions
• Developing new tour products and manage the shoreexcursions tour program for selected geographical areas;
• Procuring Shore Excursions product in a timely manner tomeet seasonal deadlines;
• Identifying threats and consumer trends within the assignedgeographical region and proposed appropriate actions plan;
• Analyzing guest service scores by region and develop tactics toensure continuous improvement;
• Managing the relations with up to 100 tour operators and 1000+tours;
• Negotiating with suppliers, follow up their performance andstrives to reduce costs; Ensuring and maximizing inventory accuracy;
• Performing site inspections in areas of responsibility;
• Representing the company at selected governmentalmeetings, association functions, cruise industry events, travelindustry conventions, and other meetings as required.
  

Theodora Riga
Chief Commercial Officer & Director of Strategic Communications of ThPA S.A.

Biography
Theodora Riga is the Chief Commercial Officer & Director of Strategic Communications of ThPA S.A., a Member of the Board of Directors of MedCruise (Association of Mediterranean Cruise Ports), Member of the Board of Directors of Thessaloniki Tourism Organization and the Hellenic Chamber of Shipping Representative on the Hellenic Government’s National Cruise Committee.
Born in 1973 in the USA, she holds an MBA in Business Administration and has held senior managerial positions in port, shipping and financial services companies over the last 20 years, a member of the National Cruise Committee and a Board Member of a shipping company listed on the Athens Stock Exchange, as Commercial Director and as Management Consultant on Strategic Development, Sales, Marketing and Communication in the largest shipping companies in Greece, providing communication support to the Association of Shipping Companies.

Timothy Cosulich
CEO Fratelli Cosulich and Chair of the International Bunker Industry Association

Biography
Timothy started his career as a Consultant at PricewaterhouseCoopers first in London and then in Madrid, in the Valuation & Strategy department, focusing on M&A transactions. He then got his MBA from INSEAD and later on joined the A.P. Moller Maersk Group in The Netherlands as a General Manager, focusing on New Terminals acquisition and development. In 2010 Timothy joined his family business, Fratelli Cosulich, where he sits on the Group Board of Directors and holds the role of CEO – Marine Fuels. Fratelli Cosulich is a diversified Group founded in 1857, fully owned by the Cosulich family, now at its seventh generation. The Group is active in a number of aspects of the Shipping Industry, from ship-owning to ship-agency, freight-forwarding, catering, manning, yacht-services, ship-management, Marine Energy. Fratelli Cosulich has offices in 25 countries, approx. 2,200 employees worldwide and a yearly turnover of USD 2bn.
Timothy is also the Chairman of the International Bunker Industry Association (IBIA) and sits on a number of Boards, including YPO.

Daniela Santanche
Minister of Tourism, Italy

Biography
Minister Santanché is an entrepreur and politician. Born on 7 April 1961 in Cuneo, Santanché graduated in Political Science from the University of Turin and cut her teeth in marketing. In 2007 she founded ‘Visibilia Pubblicità’ (an advertising concessionaire later listed on the Milan stock exchange), and pater on also expanded into publishing and hospitality. She has always been very active politically, and is a long time conservative MP (first with AN, an ancestor of Brothers of Italy, then with Berlusconi). In 2010 she served as Undersecretary of State to the Presidency of the Council of Ministers in charge of the government programme when Berlusconi was PM. In 2017, Santanché 2017 left Forza Italia, joined Fratelli d’Italia and got elected Senator in 2018 and in 2022, when she was also appointed Minister of Tourism.

Edouardo Rixi
Deputy Minister of Transport, Italy

Biography
Rixi was born and raised in Genoa. His political career began in 2002, when he was elected municipal councillor with the League in Genoa. In 2010 he made it into Parliament in Rome, but opted instead to become a Regional Councillor in Liguria. In 2018 he became MP in Rome, and also served as deputy minister of Transport until 2019. In Fall 2022 he was re-elected MP, and became once again deputy Minister of Transport. His portfolio includes ports and shipping, which makes him a go-to for the cruise industry.

Einar Vik Arset
CEO Norwegian Coastal Administration

Biography
Einar has been Director General of the NCA since 2019, after being municipal director of Ulstein County. Arsets term as director has been focused on establishing good working relations with the numerous ports that are spread out along the Norwegian coastline. Norwegian ports are both publicly and privately owned, and cooperation between them has become more and more important in the effort towards strengthening value creation locally through tourism, industry and innovation. Ports are, at their core, regional centres of commerce and financial activity, and Arset has been focused around creating jobs and industry surrounding the ports.
Arset has repeatedly pointed to the importance of ports as facilitators of the transition to net zero – they are providers of shore-side electricity and facilitators of the offshore industry.

Maikel Arts
General Manager Market Innovation, Wartsila

Biography
Maikel Arts is General Manager Technical Sales Cruise & Ferry at Wärtsilä Marine Power. His career in Wärtsilä spans well over 15+ years and it has brought him in contact with all aspects of the marine industry. During his early years at Wärtsilä he has worked a lot with customers on solutions for their existing fleet and after that he has started to work more and more on New Building projects and concept development. While growing the company to become the global leader in innovative technologies and lifecycle solutions Maikel has specialized himself in the Passenger vessel segment and has become a key partner for the Cruise industry.
The company purpose: ”Enabling sustainable societies through innovation in technology and services” is close to his heart. Maikel works at the intersection of maritime C-suite challenges and cutting-edge technology development with a strong focus on decarbonisation. He combines this technology with his experience and network to create solutions that deliver on sustainability and business economics.
Maikel has a degree in engineering and a degree in commercial business; however he is also a certified tutor in engineering. This enables him to explain complex problems and solutions to a wide range of audiences. He has 25+ years of experience in commerce and business development in complex and competitive environments. This combination of technology expertise, business understanding, and communication makes him a frequent speaker at events and an ideal advisor from engine room to board room.
In his private life Maikel is married and a father of 3 children and as a Dutch man also a keen cyclist.

Nello Musumeci
Minister of Maritime Affairs, Italy

Biography
Musumeci is a nationalist-conservative career politician from Sicily. In 1994 Musumeci he was elected President of the Catania province, a position he held twice. In 1995 he joined Alleanza Nazionale, a right-wing party, but soon locked horn with its leader Gianfranco Fini. In 2005 Musumeci quit Alleanza Nazionale and founded his own local party, Alleanza Siciliana. In 2011 Musumeci served as Labour undersecretary in Berlusconi’s last government. In 2017 he became president of Regione Sicilia, a position he held until Fall 2022, when he was elected Senator and Minister for Maritime Affairs.
He has been elected to the Hellenic Parliament at every election since May 2012. From 10 June 2014 to 27 January 2015, he served as Minister for Public Order and Citizen Protection in the Cabinet of Antonis Samaras. He was party spokesman from 18 November 2016 to 9 October 2017. He served as Minister for Health from 9 July 2019 to 31 August 2021, when he was appointed Minister for Tourism by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.

Olga Kefalogianni
Minister for Tourism, Greece

Biography
Olga Kefalogianni was born in Athens in 1975. She is a graduate of the School of Law of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (1997) and holds two postgraduate degrees, from King’s College, University of London (LL.M, 1998) and the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University in Boston (GMAP, 2006). She has worked in large law firms in Athens and New York, as well as in the Legal Service of the European Commission in Brussels.
From 2004 to 2006 she was an associate of Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis in legal matters. She was elected Member of Parliament for the Prefecture of Rethymno (2007 and 2009), and, since 2012, she has been elected to the Athens A’ constituency (2012, 2015, 2019, 2023).
She served as Minister of Tourism in Prime Minister Antonis Samaras’ government (2012 – 2015). She has also served as Head of the Greek parliamentary delegation to the Inter-Parliamentary Union (I.P.U), ambassador of the Greek Parliament to the Women Political Leaders (WPL) network, and member of the parliamentary committees of National Defense and Foreign Affairs, Production and Trade, Institutions and Transparency, European Affairs and Armament Programs and Contracts.
She is the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Center for Policy Studies on Gender and Equality – (KEMEFI) of the European Public Law Organization (EPLO). She is married to composer Minos Matsas and they have two children.

Rosana Morillo
State Secretary in charge of Tourism, Spain

Biography
Academic experience
Degree in Mathematical Sciences from Universidad Complutense de Madrid with an Erasmus program at University College Dublin and postgraduate training at ESADE in the areas of Human Resources and Leadership.
Professional experience
Appointed Secretary of State for Tourism of Spain in December 2022, she began her career in 1996 in Mexico working as a technology consultant for companies in different sectors. Then she moved to France, United Kingdom and Italy. Advisor in technology applied to human resources for Société Générale Corporate & Investment Banking in Paris. In 2007, she joined the Barceló Group, in the position of Head of Organization and Projects at corporate level. In 2009, she joined Arabella Starwood as Corporate Director of Human Resources, a position she continued to hold until 2019 managing the period of its acquisition by Marriott International. Member of the Board of Directors of the Balearic Islands Port Authority and member of CECET (Executive Committee of the Spanish Tourism Council) drafting the Sustainable Tourism Strategy 2030 for Spain. Since her appointment in 2019 as Director General of Tourism of the Government of the Balearic Islands, she has managed initiatives such as the Excesses Law in the field of Tourism, the settlement process with the cruise sector and the Law of Circularity in Tourism. In addition, she has led the implementation process of the projects associated with the Next Generation funds, with programs for the modernization and reconversion of mature tourist areas, the creation of an international HUB for tourism innovation and circular economy, and social sustainability projects among others.

Jason Liberty
Global Chairman, CLIA

Biography
As the President and Chief Executive Officer of Royal Caribbean Group, Jason Liberty stewards the industry’s leading cruise brands, including Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, and Silversea, as well as a joint venture in TUI Cruises and Hapag-Lloyd Cruises, of which the company is a 50% owner. The Group’s global fleet of 65 ships sails to all seven continents propelled by nearly 100,000 employees from more than 130 countries.
Mr. Liberty is committed to delivering the best vacations responsibly and leads an organization that is continually innovating to create the ultimate experiences at sea and on land; drive the company’s ambitious energy transition efforts; harness technology to expand the company’s commercial capabilities; and generate exceptional long-term shareholder value. Each of the Group’s three marquee brands lead their lifestyle category – Royal Caribbean International delivers thrilling vacations for the family and contemporary market; Celebrity Cruises elevates premium travel; Silversea offers ultra-luxury and expedition experiences – and together, as a family of brands, they turn the vacation of a lifetime into a lifetime of vacations.
In January 2024, Mr. Liberty was appointed Global Chairman for the Cruise Line Industry Association (CLIA), to further establish cruise vacations as an accessible and responsible option for today’s traveler that creates positive ripple effects across the globe.
He became CEO in January 2022, following a career spanning nearly two decades in the cruise industry, including nine years as Chief Financial Officer. Prior to joining the Group, he worked at KPMG, one of the world’s leading professional services firms.
He holds an accounting degree from the University of Miami Herbert Business School; a Master’s Degree in Finance from Indiana University; and an MBA from the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, Kenan-Flagler Business School, where he serves on the Board of Advisors. He also serves on the Board of Directors of WNS Limited, a business process management public company headquartered in Mumbai, India.

Marie Blitza
Director Port Operations, Carnival Maritime

Biography
As Director Port Operations, Marie is responsible for worldwide port operations and itinerary planning for both AIDA Cruises and Costa Crociere. In this role, Marie works in collaboration with various stakeholders in ports & destinations, local authorities, and port agents. Working closely with key departments within AIDA Cruises and Costa Crociere the focus is on safe and compliant port operations, identifying opportunities to contribute to an efficient itinerary and port planning process, as well as strategic and sustainable itinerary planning.
Prior to joining Carnival Maritime GmbH as Manager Port Operations in 2016, Marie’s started her career in the cruise industry in port agency and ground operations, overseeing port operations and passenger logistics in the three main German cruise ports. Marie holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in International Cruise Industry Management and a Master’s degree in Marketing Management (MBA). 

OlivierButon
Senior Vice President, Marine/Technical & New Build Supply Chain Management, NCLH

Biography
Olivier Buton is currently the SVP of Marine/Technical & New Build Supply Chain Management at Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd., where he has worked for over 11 years focusing on supply chain for fleet in service, new builds and shoreside constructions, and supervising multiple categories like marine, technical, FF&E, refurbishment, and security. Previously, he was the Group Procurement Director at MCI Group, a Swiss company specialized in communications and event management, enhancing procurement strategies. His experience also includes roles in procurement and technology consultancy. Olivier has over 22 years of experience in supply chain and purchasing.
Born on the West coast of France, Olivier relocated to Miami in 2009. He holds a Master of Science in Engineering from Ecole Nationale Superieure d’Arts et Metiers (ENSAM) in Paris.

Hélène Lebas
General Secretary, Marseille Provence Cruise Club

Biography
Hélène has been working at Marseille Provence Chamber of Commerce and Cruise Marseille Provence for more than 25 years for the development of the cruise market locally.
General Secretary of Cruise Marseille Provence, an association which members are public authorities, the port, the representatives of the main trade unions linked with tourism, maritime, travel agents, hotel, transport, taxis.
In 2024, the membership is increasing, showing the economic impact of the industry.

 Coordinating with the other members the actions of the association to:

• Encourage and coordinate all the marketplace stakeholders in the ongoing eco-energy transition phase
• Promote Marseille Provence as an all-in-one cruise destination, with ocean and river ports that consolidate its unique position in the Mediterranean
• Inform and coordinate the key players handling incoming passengers to optimize tourist flows and experience
• Analyze developments and outlook in the cruise market and passenger profiles
• Deliver information to the members
• Open to advice the cruise lines with projects with the local community
• Organize the third edition of the « Blue Maritime Summit » on December, 5^th 2024 in Marseille which will review the « sustainable cruise charter » and present the results of the second year of implementation of it.
• Develop the provisioning in Marseille

Eleonora Modde
General Manager, FONASBA

Biography
Detail coming soon

Laura Amoretti
CEO, Crocierissime

Biography
In the last few years of my career, I have professionally performed all tasks relating to the active management of services aimed at maintaining a high standard of. Thanks to my experience at @lastminute.com, I have been able to build an effective leadership model to lead business growth and development!

Francesco di Cesare
Risposte Turismo

Biography
Francesco di Cesare, President of Risposte Turismo. The company he had founded in 2001 with headquarters in Venice has established itself as the leading Italian research and consulting company with expertise in maritime tourism and is partner of the CLIA European Summit since the first edition. In 2011 the company launched Italian Cruise Day and in 2013 Adriatic Sea Forum, two among the most relevant international events dedicated to an international event dedicated to cruise and maritime tourism. Francesco combines his commitments to teaching, research and consultancy on the main topics of the macro-industry of travel and tourism, with operative roles also in the organisation of big events. Besides contributions about tourism marketing and management, he wrote or curated numerous articles and papers dedicated to maritime and cruise tourism.

Mark Dowling
Vice President of Global Partnerships, Tower Supplies

Biography
Based near Southampton, UK, Tower are a non-food dry goods supplier to the hotel and technical sectors within the cruise industry, working with strategic partners and clients including Carnival UK and MSC.
Supporting many aspects of Tower’s solutions to cruise lines, Mark has led Tower’s commitment as Diamond Executive Partners of CLIA from the outset of the Hospitality & Guest Services community in 2018. An avid cruiser himself, Mark has been involved in cruise since 1995, moving his focus to suppling cruise in 2014.
Mark is also passionate about sustainability. As a Tower Sustainability Committee Member, Mark drives many of Tower’s sustainability initiatives and regularly engages cruise companies on the topic of supply chain miles.

Harold Betancourt
Sr. Director, Logistics Management, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd.

Biography
Harold is a seasoned Senior Director at Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. with nearly two decades of expertise in the logistics industry, specializing in the cruise line sector. Beginning his career in 2004 in freight forwarding with a focus on dry docks and New Builds, he quickly ascended to the role of Logistics Manager at PCH, parent company of Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises, where he managed various aspects of their logistics operations. Currently, as the head of logistics for Norwegian Cruise Lines Holdings, Harold oversees the intricate logistics, warehousing operations, dry docks, and New Builds, for a fleet of 32 ships and growing. His proficiency lies in efficient transportation, and warehousing management, ensuring flawless operations within the dynamic and complex world of cruise logistics.