PHILIPSBURG:--- Preparations are well underway for the 2019 Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) Platinum Associate Membership Advisory Council (PAMAC) meeting that will take place next week on the island from June 12-15.
Business leaders, owners, and managers are invited to attend a town hall meeting on Tuesday, June 11 from 5.00pm to 7.00pm at the Port St. Maarten Homeporting Pavillion, at the Dr. A.C. Wathey Cruise and Cargo Facilities in Point Blanche. To register, go to http://201.220.14.28/sxm/MainMenu.aspx?SpecialEvent=1 or
www.portstmaarten.com, click on “Ship Schedule” and click “FCCA PAMAC Townhall. Those interested in attending the town hall must register by Monday, June 10 at 5.00pm.
Cruise line executives will be present to share their views about the industry as well as other related information in a panel format discussion that would be beneficial to persons in the tourism-cruise-hospitality sector or to those who would like to enter the local cruise business sector.
PAMAC brings together Platinum Members of the FCCA who meet with high-ranking FCCA Member Line cruise executives and top Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) as part of a relationship and business building process.
The PAMAC 2019 Conference is expected to attract 150-200 delegates, all platinum members, and 10-15 cruise executives and top Chief Executive Officers and takes place at the time of 55-years Cruise.
PAMAC 2019 is an opportunity for all stakeholders to showcase the recovery efforts during the past 20-months since September 2017, and to give a taste of what cruise guests enjoy while making memorable experiences on the island.
Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Traffic & Telecommunication (TEATT), the Honourable Stuart Johnson said on Thursday that it will be an honour to welcome the top brass of the cruise industry to the shores of the ‘Friendly Island’ as well as platinum delegates who will be attending the conference next week.
“I encourage our business leaders, managers working in the cruise tourism and hospitality sector as well as those interested in starting their own business to attend the Townhall meeting on Tuesday, June 11. This provides an opportunity for those planning to go into business to gather as much information about the expectations of the cruise lines from a destination and the businesses that offer the services and products that lead to memorable experiences by our guests.
“It is an opportunity for mature businesses already with a foothold in the cruise sector to learn how to further improve their products and services that they offer cruise passengers when they visit the destination,” Minister Johnson said on Thursday.
“Port St. Maarten is proud to be hosting the PAMAC June 2019 conference which coincides with marking 55-years Cruise. 55-years later, St. Maarten is a successful cruise destination. This is due to its approach of listening to the cruise lines and understanding the business which has grown by leaps and bounds.
“Cruise tourism has played an integral role in the national economic development of St. Maarten. At the heart of this development are entrepreneurs. The townhall meeting and panel discussion on Tuesday for would-be entrepreneurs should be considered a road to entrepreneurship, an opportunity.
“Come out and hear what the cruise executives have to say and what they are looking for and what cruise passengers expect from destinations. For an entrepreneur in the making, this could help bring that vision to fruition and fill a need in the cruise tourism sector on the island which keeps us at the forefront as a destination. Register today,” Port St. Maarten Management said on Thursday in its call to action.
The PAMAC conferences give FCCA Executives and destination leaders the opportunity to dialogue directly with each other. While traditional conventions are “fast-paced”, the Platinum events create an atmosphere for closer networking and give the Cruise executives the opportunity to explore the new offerings from the host destinations.
Sonesta Maho Beach Resort, Casino & Spa is the conference hotel where the PAMAC guests will be staying.
Port St. Maarten will be organising several meetings, tours and night events catering to the delegates who will be attending the PAMAC conference.
The PAMAC event is one of many that the FCCA coordinates for its Platinum Members and Member Lines to stay at the forefront of information about both the industry and destinations while finding ways to maximise the benefits for all.
The FCCA is a not-for-profit trade organisation composed of 19 Member Lines operating over 100 vessels in Floridian, the Caribbean and Latin American waters.
Created in 1972, the FCCA’s mandate is to provide a forum for discussion on tourism development, ports, safety, security, and other cruise industry issue and to develop bilateral relationships with destinations’ private and public sectors. By fostering an understanding of the cruise industry and its operating practices, the FCCA works with governments, ports and private sector representatives to maximise cruise passenger, crew and cruise line spending, as well as enhance the destination experience and increase the number of cruise passengers returning as stay-over visitors.
