CLIA UK & Ireland has announced an inspirational speaker programme ahead of the 12th annual CLIA conference, taking place in Southampton between 23 and 25 May.

The focus for the three day event is the importance of making cruise appealing to all generations, and strategies and techniques to cut through to different age groups and demographics.

Andy Harmer, CLIA UK and Ireland director, said: “The over-arching theme of the conference is #GenerationCruise. Thanks to the incredible amount of cruise ships being delivered to CLIA cruise lines this year and for the next few years, there is a mind-boggling array of types of cruise and itineraries to choose from; there’s a cruise for every generation.”

Opening the conference sessions on 24 May is Cindy D’Aoust, CLIA’s president and chief executive. Cindy will set the scene for the day’s sessions and give an overview of the latest CLIA figures for 2017.

Dr Paul Redmond will address delegates about the importance of realising the differences between the generations X, Y and Z, the graduate labour market, and how companies and organisations can establish, develop and maintain an engaged workforce.

Following Redmond, MSC chief executive Gianni Onoratu will talk agents through the innovations the line has planned for its multiple ships on order and early plans surrounding the launch of Bellissima next year, the first MSC ship to be christened in the UK for more than a decade.

Chris Austin, Seabourn senior vice president global sales and marketing, will talk to agents about developments from within the luxury cruise sector, and sales strategies to make the most of these opportunities.

Harry Sommer is the executive vice president, international business development for Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. Sommer, who was appointed in June 2015, is responsible for sales, marketing, public relations and office operations for all three NCL group brands outside the United States and Canada, so will be able to offer a global view of how the UK sits alongside other divisions.

The penultimate speaker is Rai Caluori, Princess Cruises’ executive vice president guest experience and product development. Caluori and his team lead the design and execution of all the line’s new products across the globe.

On Friday morning, the conference will love onboard Princess Cruises’ Royal Princess for the closing keynote from explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes, and final address from Stuart Leven, CLIA chair and managing director and vice president EMEA of Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines.

For more information, visit cruiseexperts.org