USA/INTERNATIONAL. A strong speaker line-up from across the cruise channel has been confirmed for the retail programme at Seatrade Cruise Global in Miami next month.
The Retail Days – a series of conference sessions dedicated to retail at sea – run on 8-9 April at the Miami Beach Convention Center, co-organised by The Moodie Davitt Report. Seatrade Cruise Global is the premier annual gathering of the cruise industry worldwide and runs from 7-10 April.
The partnership between Seatrade Cruise Global and The Moodie Davitt Report delivered a multi-faceted programme around the theme of retail at sea for the first time at the event in 2024.
This year, the focus on retail continues, with themes to be addressed including trends in shopper types, needs and behaviours; the outlook for cruise retail’s cornerstone product categories; how the rising appeal of cruise to a new generation translates into the retail offer; the role of technology; plus the cruise port retail opportunity.
The programme and the strong presence of cruise lines, concessionaires and brand owners reflects the fast-growing importance of retailing to cruise line revenues and its role in enhancing the guest experience.
The conference will begin at 2pm on Tuesday 8 April with opening remarks by moderator The Moodie Davitt Report President Dermot Davitt.
He will then lead a one-to-one conversation with Azamara Cruises Chief Executive Officer Dondra Ritzenthaler about the role that retail plays for the luxury cruise line.
Then will follow the event’s first panel session, titled ‘Taking consumer-centricity to a new level in cruise retail’. This will feature Starboard Group President & CEO Lisa Bauer, Harding+ CEO Chris Matthews and MSC Cruises SVP Onboard Revenue Stefano Menegotto in a discussion about key traveller insights that are informing retailers’ strategies today.
The next panel will address the theme, ‘Where next for cruise retail’s key categories?’ Speakers will include Effy Jewelry Executive Vice President Jennifer Patience, Heinemann Americas Managing Director Nicolas Hoeborn and Starboard Group Director, Merchandising Karla Nedeski, with a further name to be confirmed shortly.
A one-hour reception will close the day at around 4.15pm, allowing guests to network post-conference.
On day two (9 April) the sessions will begin at 10am, with the big-picture theme, ‘Vision 2035’, and speakers invited to assess how the rising appeal of cruise to Millennials, Gen Z and other emerging demographics translates to the cruise retail offer today and tomorrow.
Confirmed speakers include Carnival Cruise Line Vice President Guest Commerce & Onboard Revenue Luis Terife, Diamonds International Chief Commercial Officer Elchonon Shagalov, Starboard SVP Fine Jewelry & Watches Caryl Capeci Cossart and Avolta Senior Vice President Caribbean & Cruises Gian Botteri.
A further session will explore how digital technology is influencing both the guest experience and the management of the retail offer from sourcing through operations. Speakers include MSC Cruises Head of Retail Suzanne Mahoney and Harding+ Chief Technology Officer Mikos Taylor.
The event will close with a focus on the trends in port and land retail related to cruise travel, with several major developments that will help shape the future of the cruise sector worldwide profiled.
Speakers include Global Ports Holding VP, Business Development, Retail & Ancillary Andres Villalever, Carnival Corporation Director Destination Partnerships & Business Development Bertrand Piller and Effy Jewelry SVP, Cruise Retail Suzanne Fiore.
Platinum Partners for the event are Effy Jewelry, Starboard Group, Harding+ and Diamonds International, with Global Ports Holding a Gold Partner.
The Moodie Davitt Report President Dermot Davitt will chair the programme over the two days. He said, “We are pleased to build on a successful first year of retail sessions in 2024 with a stellar line-up of speakers in 2025. We have had superb support from across the cruise community and look forward to hearing from leaders from across the sector over what promises to be an exciting, thought-provoking series of sessions in Miami on 8-9 April.”
Click here for more on the agenda and speaker line-up.
Registration (including access to the retail sessions plus an Expo Pass) is available at the following address: https://www.seatradecruiseevents.com/global/en/attend/attend/tickets-packages.html
Once on the registration portal, select Expo, then VIP, Conference, Expo, enter your details and use the promotional code MDR2025 to take advantage of The Retail Days package. This is priced at US$349 until 6 April and US$449 on-site.
To register for Seatrade Cruise Global and join 10,000+ attendees from around the world, visit www.seatradecruiseevents.com/global
Click here for highlights of The Retail Day 2024.
