Special edition on the ACE Cruise Convention

1. The Final Word April 2012 | Registration for this year’s Selling Cruise Conference closes soon.
from Andy Harmer, ACE Director Visit WWW.CRUISEEXPERTS.ORG now to secure your place.
“
It was well worth our
investment and thank
you to ACE for giving
us the opportunity
to continue to gain
valuable experience,
training and
motivation in cruise.
Don’t hesitate in
4 weeks to go-go-go
sending your cruise“
sellers….You will reap
the benefits!
It is almost upon us again - the sixth ACE Cruise Convention that is
“
Jason Peters,
Creative Cruises now one of the highlights of the cruising calendar. Launched in 2007 The ACE Cruise Convention
the event has seen many inspirational and knowledgeable speakers Selling Cruise Conference - May 1st & 2nd 2012
...from new to cruise agents,
or those of us, old salty
give us valuable insights into the state of the industry, and how we
can be part of its growth.
sea dogs, we learn from ACE is delighted to be holding the first ever Selling Cruise
the splendid connection Conference as part of the 6th annual ACE Cruise Convention in
This year we are doing things slightly differently. We still have the
and association ACE and Southampton May 1 & 2 2012. This must attend event is
the Cruise companies have ship visits, the trade fair and plenty of insights; but we are having a
dedicated ‘business day’ so that we can really maximise on the time designed for those wanting to discover a world of cruise
to ensure the maximum
learning opportunities for for conference, networking and business sessions; and make day two opportunities, advice, trends and inspiration.
us all together with the all about the ships. In this issue:
wonderfully arranged and Day 1 will see business sessions, a compelling conference programme, great
planned event such as the We have created a line-up of speakers and sessions we know will networking opportunities with a vast array of cruise line and travel partner
ACE Cruise Convention. challenge and inspire you - so much so that we will not reveal the full The Programme members and an engaging range of guest speakers. Some great evening
line-up of speakers and sessions... we want to save plenty of surprises entertainment will finish off day one and visits to either P&O Cruises Adonia
It’s also a time that the for you on the day.
Cruise lines put to one side and Royal Caribbean International’s Independence of the Seas or Princess
Partners at the
rivalry and come together as Event Cruises Grand Princess and Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth will take place on day two.
one to shine amongst a very Our ultimate aim is to give you the advice, tips and inspiration to sell
depressed economic climate, more cruise. We think that this year, more than any other we need to
“Think Differently” - because it is time for creative thinking, a different This year will be the first time we have a restricted number of delegate spaces
and show that cruise is alive
kind of action and time to stand out from the crowd. 4 ways to Join In available and with only 4 weeks to go places are very limited, confirm your
and well and here to grow
through the eyes and efforts attendance now at the ultimate 2012 cruise event by visiting
ACE members.
“
of the specialist travel agent In a competitive world we need a competitive advantage over our
rivals and maybe, just maybe, we can give you some tools to ensure Testimonials
www.cruiseexperts.org. If you sell cruises or work with those that do,
you really can’t afford to miss the Selling Cruise Conference.
that you can return to work to grow your cruise sales. You almost
rmer
cannot afford to miss it... See you there
The Final Word
Adele
info
So come and join us. And Think Differently.
Editor
your update from the cruise experts

2. Come and join us at this great event, but
The Programme don’t just take our word for it...
Tuesday May 1st Wednesday May 2nd Jo Rzymowska, Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises & Azamara Club Cruises
09:15 Registration opens From 09:00 ship visits on-board either: “This year’s ACE Cruise Convention is a ‘Must Attend’ event. The ACE team has put
Botley Park Hotel, Southampton together an action packed day with a great mix of highly aspirational and motivational
10:10 Conference and business sessions speakers, cruise industry experts and lots of practical tips to help ACE agents sell more
12:30 Lunch Grand Princess & Independence of the Seas cruises. I look forward to seeing you all there.”
13:30 Part 2 of the Conference Or
and business sessions Martin Hay, Go Cruise Ribble Valley Tracey Holt, Go Cruise noted that,
Adonia & Queen Elizabeth
15:00 Cruise Marketplace “Let’s face it times are hard, money is tight “The ACE Cruise Convention is an
17:00 Coaches to your hotel
so why should you go to the 2012 ACE Cruise invaluable experience
Convention?
19:15 Pick up from your hotel
Two reasons: Hardware and People Simply a must attend event for the following
19:30 An evening of entertainment and dining Disembarkation from 15:30 and coaches back
reasons:
to your hotel or train station.
Hardware: Anyone (including your clients) • Networking with cruise lines and account
can read a brochure, but there really is managers
The Partners Four ways to Join In no substitute for developing your cruise
knowledge and expertise and no better way
• Gain a full understanding of the industry
• Up to date information, learning new
of doing that than by seeing the real thing up trends within the travel industry
To date the following partners are supporting the There are four ways to join in during the event;
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close and personal, if you are new or nearly • Good investment of time and money
Send us your images: have you got
event in May: new to cruise the line-up at this year’s ACE • Attending the convention shows the cruise
a great image or number of images
Headline Sponsors Cruise Convention is fantastic. lines and account Managers that you are
that you have taken whilst on a cruise, on a
Rocky Mountaineer, Spanish Tourist Office, serious about your business and want to gain
cruise excursion or pre-or-post stay. We could
Canadian Tourism Commission and Traveltek People: The ACE Cruise Convention provides more information
be using your image on the main stage...
Media Sponsors you with a unique opportunity to talk with • Good to see the account managers face to
Email alex@psa-ace.org
many different cruise line representatives face, and not just speaking over the phone.
Mail Newspapers and Travel Weekly
and who knows you may even discover
2
• Ship visits - gaining first hand cruise
Official Sponsors Do you have any top sales tips
operators you have never even heard of - experience
A2B Transfers, ABTA, All Discovery Cruising, that you can tell us about? No matter
think opportunity and go for it” • My own personal growth and development
APT, Avalon Waterways, Azamara Club Cruises, how big or small, share your top tips and we
in the industry was fast tracked by visiting
Bedsonline, Business Solent, Carnival Cruise could be sending you off on a cruise to say thank
Nicole Eaves, Garstang Travel says the first ever ACE Convention in Dover.”
Lines, Celebrity Cruises, Classic International you! Email alex@psa-ace.org
“Two of our sales team attended the ACE
Cruises, Conrad Advertising, Cruise & Maritime
3
convention last year the experience of the
Voyages, Cruise Baltic, Crystal Cruises, Cunard We are holding a session featuring
event was invaluable….
Line, Dubai Tourism, Florida Keys & Key West, Captain’s and on-board officers and
They had their first experience of a RCCL ship
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises, crew. Is there anything that you would like to
on one of the ship visits on the Independence
Holiday Extras, Holland America Line, Hurtigruten, know or ask them? Email your questions to
Of the Seas and were amazed with its superb
Kirker Holidays, Looking 4 Parking, MSC Crociere alex@psa-ace.org, heading the email QUESTION,
facilities. Emma secured a fantastic RCCL
SA, Norwegian Cruise Lines, Oceania Cruises, and we could be asking your question on-stage...
booking worth £9k for new to cruise clients
P&O Cruises, Port Of Dover, Port of Portsmouth,
4
on her 1st day back in the office! Proving that
Princess Cruises, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Royal Follow the conversation all about the
sending front line staff to the ACE Convention
Caribbean International, Seabourn, Shearings Convention on Twitter by using
to gain first-hand experience and get
Limited, Silversea, Tailor Made Cruise Holidays, #acecruise and keep up to date with news,
enthusiastic about cruise is paramount.”
Tauck Tours, Thomson Cruises, Titan Travel, opinions and announcements.
Tourism Fiji, Travel TIS, Travel Uni, Tunisia