WHAT'S ON 

Take a look at what DFNI has in store for you this June below.

Please note programme and agenda may be subject to change.

JUNE 13

  • Exhibition Setup
  • Evening Cocktail Reception and Registration

JUNE 14

  • Conference, Expo, Pitch Sessions
  • Networking Breaks & Lunch
  • Gala Dinner at a traditional Majorcan manor

JUNE 15

  • Conference, Expo, Pitch Sessions
  • Networking Breaks & Lunch
  • Evening Cocktail Reception at the Treehouse

JUNE 16

  • Cruise Ship Tours from MSC Seaview and Harding+
  • Pitch Sessions

    Please note programme and agenda may be subject to change.

Conference takes place

Click the button below so you can count down to the conference along with us!

Tuesday 13 June 2023

-
Registration and Welcome Cocktail

A chance to meet other delegates as they register, along with a seaview welcome cocktail.

Dress Code: Cocktail Attire

Terrace, Hotel Victoria Gran Meliá


Wednesday 14 June 2023

-
Morning Coffee and Networking
-
Welcome & Introduction

Cruising is set for a stellar year ahead, with consumer demand and perception outshining 2019 levels as the appeal of cruise holidays increases with repeat and new voyagers alike. This opening session will outline the foundations underpinning the opportunities in cruise retail.

Speaker
Editor
DFNI
-
Keynote: Customer Experiences in an Omnichannel World
Speaker
Head of Leisure & Hospitality Practice & Partner
OC&C Strategy Consultants
-
State of the Industry

Leaders from our anchoring partners for the 2023 DFNI Cruise Conference map out the opportunities and challenges for the industry in the year ahead in this headline panel discussion.

Speakers
President & CEO
Starboard Cruise Services
Head of Retail
MSC Cruises
Deputy CEO & Chief Operations Officer
Harding+
Executive Vice President
Effy
-
Networking Coffee Break

-
Keynote: Decoding the Cruise Retail Consumer Journey

Before embarking on their journey, cruise guests have endless inspiration and discovery moments that influence their purchasing decisions. Discover some of the myths, facts and drivers that will keep brands top of mind even before cruisers come onboard, while they are on their journey, and long after disembarkation.

Speaker
President & CEO
Starboard Cruise Services
-
Panel: The Quaternity At Sea

How the relationship between retailer, cruise line and brand is developing, including important insights from a cruiser.

Speakers
Chief Brand & Culture Officer
Harding+
Head of Leisure & Hospitality Practice & Partner
OC&C Strategy Consultants
Director of On Board Revenue & Retail Concessions
Carnival UK
Director, Travel & Specialty Retail Americas
Swarovski
-
Panel: People & Planet

More than ever, shoppers are looking for brands that reflect their values for sustainable, ethical and responsible products. How is cruise retail supporting this important demand and how is it communicated instore?

Speakers
Director Compliance & CR
Gebr Heinemann
Manager, Onboard Partners & Operations | Onboard Revenue
Celebrity Cruise Lines
CEO of Enviro-Point & Business Development Director for Luggage-Point
Enviropoint
Co-President & Chief Revenue Officer
LXR
-
Lunch

-
From bar to boutique

Amazing hospitality and exciting entertainment are synonymous with cruising. Top players in the onboard beverage sector discuss how they are bringing brands to life through engaging guest experiences and explore the synergies with retail boutiques at sea.

Moderator: Chris Madden, Special Projects Editor, DFNI-Frontier

Additional Speakers TBC

Speaker
General Manager Europe & Americas Global Travel
Diageo
-
The People Factor

How training, engagement and retention of staff is vital to creating lasting relationships and a memorable guest experience.

Speakers
Senior MD, Travel Retail North America & Global Wholesale
NEWMARK
Executive Vice President
Effy
VP, Onboard Revenue
Holland America Line
-
Pitch Sessions

A chance to meet with our Platinum Partners in a 'Buyer/Seller' pitch meeting format.
Delegates will have 10 minutes to meet with the buyer, where they'll be able to give you opinions and feedback.

*Meeting times will be pre-allocated to delegates by the event team


Transport to Gala Dinner Departs

Coaches will be departing from Hotel Victoria Gran Meliá to transport delegates to the gala dinner.

-
Gala Dinner hosted by DFNI

Guests can enjoy a three course gala dinner hosted by Majorica at a stunning and intimate venue overlooking the Mallorcan hills, as well as post meal cocktail courtesy of Osborne.

Dress Code: Cocktail Attire

The Finca Son Termes


Transport back to Hotel Victoria Gran Meliá

Coaches will be departing from the Gala dinner every 20-30 minutes to take guests back to Hotel Victoria Gran Meliá. 

Thursday 15 June 2023

-
Welcome
Speaker
Editor
DFNI
-
Going Global

The cruise industry is proving itself to come back stronger from the pandemic than expected. The next stage of recovery for brands in this sector is to assess if they are ready to ‘go global’ and prepare for the sheer diversity of opportunity ahead.

Speaker
Head of Retail
MSC Cruises
-
Setting sail for Asia

Asia is back on the sonar. After three turbulent years, the Asian cruise market is set for a restart by the end of the year. Experts chart the course, detailing what we can expect from this key market of the future.

Speakers
Vice President & Managing Director EMEA/APAC
Starboard Cruise Services
Executive Director
Asia Pacific Travel Retail Association (APTRA)
EMEA Travel Retail Regional Director
EssilorLuxottica
-
Coffee Break

-
The Brand Perspective

Our panel of international brands share their experiences and understanding of the cruise retail landscape including leveraging data and consumer insights, tailoring the brand experience to the channel and navigating challenges in logistics and supply management.

Additional Speakers TBC

Speakers
Managing Partner
Purple
Channels Development Manager Global Travel Retail
JTI
Head of Global Travel Retail
Kering Eyewear
-
Facts and Figures

Exclusive research from m1nd-set will market overview of the cruise sector and latest trends and behaviour of cruise and ferry guests.

Speaker
Owner & CEO
m1nd-set
-
Lunch & Networking

-
Diverse Destinations

The variety of destinations, cruise ships and passenger profile is widening. Our panel discusses the impact of itinerary on the retail offer and how to adapt to the future of cruising.

Speakers
Global Head of Merchandising
Starboard Cruise Services
AVP Procurement & Fleet Operations
Virgin Voyages
VP of Sales, US, Canada and TR Americas
Majorica
-
Closing Remarks
Speakers
Editor
DFNI
Publisher
DFNI
Pitch Sessions

A chance to meet with our Platinum Partners in a 'Buyer/Seller' pitch meeting format. Delegates will have 10 minutes to meet with the buyer, where they'll be able to give you opinions and feedback.

*Meeting times will be pre-allocated to delegates by the event team


-
Cocktails at Vida by UM

Shuttles depart hotel from 18:40.

An evening of relaxed networking at a nearby venue, around a 25 mins walk from Hotel Victoria Gran Meliá. Wind down at the end of a busy two-day conference, with light bites, Gold 999.9 Gin and Cinco Jotas Jamon courtesy of Osborne.

Delegates can feel free to go out after the cocktail reception for their own private dinners. 

Please note there will not be a return shuttle to Hotel Victoria Gran Meliá.

Dress Code: Cocktail Attire

Vida by UM




Friday 16 June 2023

-
Cruise Ship Tours

One representative per company will be delegated a space on this year's two ship tours.

Please meet at 09:00 in the Hotel lobby. Coach departure will be at 09:30am promptly. 

Ship tour places are now closed and are by prior arrangement only.