Mobile to Host the 6th Annual FCCA Platinum Associate Membership Conference

 In June, 2008 Mobile, AL will play host to the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association’s (FCCA) Platinum Associate Membership Advisory Council (PAMAC) Conference. Ever since Carnival Cruise Lines sailed the first cruise ship out of Mobile Bay in October of 2004, there has been a growing new energy in this historic Southern port city. Leon Maisel, President/CEO of the Mobile Bay Convention & Visitors Bureau and fellow PAMAC member, is proud to personally welcome this Conference to his home town. “Mobile, Alabama has been hosting visitors for over 300 years. Throughout this time Mobile has perfected the art of receiving visitors, especially visitors in the maritime and cruise industry. Although it would take quite some time to see all of Mobile Bay, it has been arranged for Platinum members to see some of the best of Mobile Bay and see why fresh, local and delicious seafood dishes as well as an array of ethnic and regional fare are renowned. Past FCCA Platinum Conferences show that members and staff expect only the superb, and experience will provide nothing less during the time here.”
 
The Battle House, a Renaissance Hotel, will be the host hotel for this Conference. This legendary hotel captures classic Southern charm and takes visitors back to a simpler time when elegance reigned supreme and service was sublime. Originally built in 1852 and just reopened in 2007, this downtown Mobile hotel served as a gathering place for high society and a stopover for celebrated American luminaries and statesmen. Guest rooms evoke the opulence of gracious Southern living, and provide the reassurance of modern conveniences and technology. The Battle House is within easy walking distance of many attractions, restaurants and entertainment venues located in heart of the city's revitalized downtown area.

In regard to the City of Mobile, “We're excited to welcome the FCCA Platinum members and industry leaders to our city for this conference,” states Mayor Sam Jones. “We want every attendee to leave here refreshed and enlightened about Mobile and our definite future in the cruise industry.” Win Hallett, President of the Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce affirms “The success of Mobile as a cruise ship homeport is one of many economic achievements this city has attained over the past few years. This will grant the opportunity to show off this victory, as well as Mobile´s ability to grow as a cruise industry supporter, to the esteemed Platinum members of the FCCA during their time
here.”

 One of Mobile Bay’s newest additions to the developing waterfront area is the Mobile Alabama Cruise Terminal. Its sleek design and state of the art security make cruising to the Caribbean from Mobile Bay a pleasant experience for all travelers. Al St. Clair, Director of the Mobile Alabama Cruise Terminal, states "Mobile is both pleased and honored to host the June meeting of the FCCA’s Platinum Associate Member Advisory Council. Most of the members have never seen our modern terminal/parking deck which was completed in October 2004, even though several of them were kind enough to share their design ideas and improvements based on their own existing and older facility layouts. We are going to make their stay in Mobile a memorable one with lots to see and do along with outstanding local cuisine, music and the wonderful opportunities to network with each other. We want them to come back.”

 FCCA Platinum members are in for the Gulf Coast experience of a lifetime at this year’s Conference. See you in Mobile Bay, where the living is easy and the welcome is life-long!

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