The Expedition Cruise Network (ECN) is gearing up to host its inaugural conference dedicated to the burgeoning sector of expedition cruising.
Scheduled for the start of October in London, the event promises to unite leading UK travel trade professionals and international cruise brands, focusing on networking and addressing pivotal industry issues.
The ECN’s first conference, in partnership with HX, will take place at the Bankside Hotel, spanning two days from 1st to 2nd October 2024. This event aims to foster connections between UK travel professionals and global cruise industry leaders through seminars, speaker sessions, and discussion panels interspersed with face-to-face meetings.
Up to 30 pre-arranged meetings will be facilitated via a digital platform, specifically designed to connect buyers and sellers in the expedition cruise domain. This strategic initiative reflects the industry’s move towards digital engagement and personalised interactions.
Attendees will include a diverse range of independent agents, tour operators, home-based agents, and leisure agents, offering a broad spectrum of perspectives and ideas to the conference discussions.
The invitation to participate in these gatherings enables delegates to engage with industry figureheads, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of current trends and future directions.
Sustainability is a central theme at the conference, recognising its critical role in the future of travel and industry practices. The sessions will address how sustainable practices are being integrated into expedition cruising.
As Nathaniel Sherborne from HX highlights, the initiative underscores the industry’s commitment to responsible tourism, essential for protecting the environments that expeditions explore.
The conference is poised to be an invaluable networking opportunity, providing a platform for establishing commercial relationships and strategic alliances within the travel sector.
By facilitating interactions between industry veterans and emerging talent, ECN aims to create a dynamic environment where participants can share knowledge and innovate together.
The agenda includes educational sessions designed to enhance attendees’ understanding of expedition cruise operations and market trends. Experts will lead workshops focusing on skill development and industry-specific insights.
These sessions are free for travel trade delegates, reflecting ECN’s commitment to fostering professional growth and industry inclusivity.
ECN’s objective goes beyond mere networking; it aims to elevate the profile of expedition cruising within the broader travel industry. By hosting this conference, ECN seeks to position itself as a pivotal player in setting future trends and inspiring innovation.
Akvile Marozaite, ECN co-founder, emphasises the importance of such events in shaping the travel sector’s dynamics and fostering long-term partnerships.
The success of the ECN conference could pave the way for more sector-specific events, fostering ongoing dialogue and collaboration within the cruise industry.
The Expedition Cruise Network’s inaugural conference marks a significant milestone, bringing together stakeholders of the travel sector to shape the future of expedition cruising. With its focus on networking, sustainability, and education, the conference is set to be a landmark event in the industry calendar.
