Brought to you by Worldwide Cruise Associates
In today’s world of over 400 cruise ships and the ever-expanding river ship industry, how do you navigate such complicated waters and pick the right vessel for your purpose?
Worldwide Cruise Associates can help you select the right ship at the right price.
Founded in 1989, Worldwide’s mission has always been client-centric and participant-driven.
With over 30 years of experience in the MICE industry, the independent outsource and resource company locate, negotiate, contract and operate full ship charters, corporate and incentive groups, lifestyle cruises, product launches, sporting events on behalf of clients.
The team has personally sailed on hundreds of ships in order to give you first-hand knowledge of the ships, operators, along with their strengths and weaknesses.
Worldwide’s services also include use of its operations department to aid clients with the cruise programmes, shore tours and transfers – offering guidance from programme inception until the final guest walks off the ship.
It’s like having a full-blown cruise line purchasing department and operations division at your fingertips at no extra cost.
Worldwide can also assist you with a customised product and help with the ship selection, contract negotiations, and operational delivery tailored to your business needs.
With over a thousand successful groups and charters, and tens of thousands of satisfied participants, Worldwide is confident in its ability to provide the best product at the best price.
Why choose Worldwide:
- Save you money on contract negotiations
- Save you time with its vast knowledge and relationships industry-wide
- Offer an unbiased recommendation from hundreds of ships available
- Provide dedicated account manager
- Assist in operations and programming
Ready to plan your spectacular event at sea?
Find out why Worldwide is the global leader in outsource cruise purchasing for the past 30 years here.
To discuss an unique experience tailored to your objectives, contact:
Steve Bloss
Co-Founder, President Global Sales
Worldwide Cruise Associates
Contact: +1 954-452 8800 ext 226
Email: sbloss@cruiseco.com
Worldwide also represents the 3 award-winning brands (above), complete with 28 best-in-class ships.
For assistance with ship selection, contact:
Neil Brody
Senior Director, Charters, Meetings & Incentives
Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd.
Email: nbrodie@nclcorp.com
www.nclhltd.com
The persistence of “phygital” events, wellness embedded in business event programmes, and inclusivity are three trends that will shape the business events industry moving forward.
These pointers were identified by Chiruit Isarangkun Na Ayuthaya, president of Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau (TCEB), during the opening keynote address at IT&CM Asia 2022 last week.
The first, “phygital” events – which is a blend of physical and digital events – will soon become the norm, Chiruit opined, as organisers strive to create meaningful and immersive experiences.
Digitalisation can also help to expand the audience reach, while contributing to event safety management, he pointed out.
The second trend is the incorporation of wellness into meetings to avoid delegate fatigue and help them to digest information easily. This comes as health and wellness considerations have intensified during the pandemic.
The third trend is inclusivity, which requires events to be accessible for all, “across diverse cultures and backgrounds, regardless of their physical or intellectual limitations”, Chiruit elaborated.
The application of inclusivity in the business events environment also requires the redesigning of programmes and activities to contribute to the livelihoods of the local community.
On this note, Chiruit encouraged planners to think of ways to establish “measurable legacies for the local communities”.
The keynote address was followed by a panel discussion which touched on the revival of the business events industry.
While panellists Max Boontawee Jantasuwan, president, SITE Thailand Chapter; Supanich Thiansing, director of meetings and incentives department, TCEB; and Waikin Wong, regional director Asia Pacific, ICCA all agreed that business events have rebounded strongly and swiftly, obstacles in human resource have placed a glass ceiling on recovery potential.
Illustrating the acuteness of the manpower crunch, Max shared that some SITE Thailand Chapter members have had to turn down business due to staff shortages. He acknowledged that manpower woes are affecting the industry at large, and not just Thailand.
Challenges in staff retention are another reality, he said, adding that the industry must find ways to keep staff loyal and motivated by providing a more conducive work environment that also benefits the business.
Max recommended that talents can be drawn to the industry by emphasising the critical role business events play in national economic health.
Both Supanich and Wong pointed out that the provision of training and upskilling programmes, as well as opportunities for career growth, will also help to attract young talents into the industry.