Fort Lauderdale, Florida - The Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center is hosting CruiseWorld 2024, a major industry event bringing together a thousand travel advisors and global suppliers from North America for three intensive days of training, networking, and business opportunities in the cruise and travel sector. Visit Lauderdale serves as the official sponsor of the event, aimed at fostering collaboration and growth across the travel industry.

Stacy Ritter, President and CEO of Visit Lauderdale, warmly welcomed attendees: “Welcome back, CruiseWorld, to the Broward County Convention Center. You’ll see lots of progress on the campus and convention center since your last visit. And to truly experience Greater Fort Lauderdale, you’ve got to walk on the beach and dip your toe in the ocean.” Ritter emphasized the region’s multicultural appeal, noting, “We’re a county of 2 million people, 170 nations, and cuisine from around the world. Don’t miss the chance to see an alligator in the wild and explore our cosmopolitan attractions, including hotels on the east coast.”

Ritter highlighted regional tourism updates, including the Omni Hotel, a luxury property with 801 rooms set to open next year as the first hotel directly connected to the convention center. She also mentioned the renovated Pier 66, an iconic 1970s structure that has been modernized with cutting-edge technology while retaining its historic charm in a 21st-century setting.

Ritter also shared a nostalgic note about the Mai-Kai restaurant, a Fort Lauderdale icon that will reopen in November after extensive renovations. “I moved here 50 years ago, and Mai-Kai was one of the first restaurants my parents took me to as a teenager. It closed for renovations after the pandemic, but it still looks as it did 50 years ago, lovingly restored,” said Ritter.

Mary Pat Sullivan, Executive Vice President of Marketing and Partnerships at Northstar Travel Group, remarked, “We’re thrilled to kick off another year at CruiseWorld and see the industry come together to build and strengthen relationships, educate each other, and grow their businesses. At Northstar, we’re dedicated to advancing travel, and this event has been doing just that since its inception.”

Attendees will have access to educational workshops, general sessions, ship tours, and the signature Exhibitor Showcase, a key feature of CruiseWorld.

Key Speakers

This year’s event features prominent leaders in the cruise industry, including:

• Jason Liberty, President and CEO, Royal Caribbean Group
• Harry Sommer, President and CEO, Norwegian Cruise Line
• Josh Weinstein, President and CEO, Carnival Corporation & plc

General Sessions and Industry Leaders

CruiseWorld also includes general sessions with notable industry figures, such as:

• Gus Antorcha, President, Holland America Line
• Katina Athanasiou, Senior Vice President of Sales and Services, Celebrity Cruises for the Americas
• Chris Austin, President, Explora Journeys for North America
• Michael Bayley, President and CEO, Royal Caribbean
• Christine Duffy, President, Carnival Cruise Line
• Laura Hodges Bethge, President, Celebrity Cruises
• Stacy Ritter, President and CEO, Visit Lauderdale

The event will feature the Exhibitor Showcase, a full day dedicated to showcasing the industry's top players: airlines, hotels, tour operators, insurance providers, and, of course, cruise lines.