Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA)

St. Lucia, FCCA Countdown To Annual Cruise Convention & Trade Show In October

CASTRIES, St. Lucia (August 4, 2009) - St. Lucia is getting ready to host hundreds of delegates for the 16th annual Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) Cruise Convention and Trade Show this October 26 to 30, 2009.

FCCA officials said preparations were in full swing for the premier industry event of the year, at which cruise executives, destinations, suppliers and tour operators meet with key players in the industry to analyze trends in it and discuss current issues.

FCCA President Michele Paige said her organization's mandate is to "foster a better understanding of the cruise industry and to develop cooperative relationships with our destination partners at both the public and private sector levels, in order to create a win-win situation for all."

"We look forward to deepening our relationship with the FCCA and the cruise sector and building on the phenomenal growth we've experienced in this sector over the past few years," said Senator Allen Chastanet, St. Lucia's Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation. He added St. Lucia also anticipates showcasing the island's solid infrastructure, new and improved attractions and restaurants as well as top quality accommodations during the conference.

The conference's business sessions, social functions and trade show will again provide a forum for cruise industry partners to network, exchange information, share ideas and cultivate valuable business relationships. Paige explained that the trade show allows industry stakeholders to stay in the forefront during tough economic times, by showcasing destinations and products to member lines' cruise executives representing destinations spanning the globe from Europe, the Caribbean and Latin America.

"Those that aggressively remain in the forefront of the marketplace are those best positioned to prosper as the economy recovers," said Paige who expects the St. Lucia trade show exhibit to be one of the most successful to date.

For further information about registration and securing trade show booth space, visit
www.f-cca.com.

FCCA is a trade association composed of 15 Member Lines: AIDA Cruises, Azamara Club Cruises, Carnival Cruise Lines, Celebrity Cruises, Costa Cruise Lines, Cunard Line, Disney Cruise Line, Holland America Line, MSC Cruises (USA) Inc., Norwegian Cruise Line, Ocean Village, P&O Cruises, Princess Cruises, and Royal Caribbean International. It was created in 1972 by the Member Lines operating more than 100 vessels in Florida, Caribbean and Latin American waters, in order to discuss and exchange views on issues relating to: legislation, tourism development, ports, safety, security and other cruise industry issues.