Highlights
Seatrade Europe 2007 broke all records – more exhibitors, visitors and delegates
Europe’s leading event for the cruise, ferry and rivercruise industries welcomed a record number of attendees: 3235. The organisers, Hamburg Messe und Congress GmbH (HMC) and Seatrade Communications Ltd welcomed 270 exhibitors from over 50 countries, to present their products and services at the new, 7000 sqm exhibition hall of CCH – Congress Center Hamburg.
Over 80 percent of visitors appraised Seatrade Europe as a good or very good event and 68 percent stated that the convention had a decisive influence on purchasing and procurement decisions.
While almost three quarters of exhibitors were based in European countries, more non-European organisations participated than ever before. This is seen as clear evidence of the growing importance of Europe’s source markets overseas. The Caribbean Village allowed eight ports to showcase their distinct offerings.
One of Seatrade Europe’s key benefits is its ability to cover the full extent of the cruise sector, with the convention and exhibition covering both the cruise and rivercruise industries.
Running alongside the exhibition was a three-tiered conference programme, examining the key issues facing the cruise, ferry and rivercruise industries. Over 50 leading industry speakers took part in the conference including Sebastian Ahrens, Managing Director, Hapag Lloyd Cruises; David Dingle, Chairman, European Cruise Council, and CEO, Carnival UK; Susan Hooper, Senior Vice President International and Managing Director, EMEA, Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises; Michael Thamm, President AIDA Cruises and Pierfrancesco Vago, CEO, MSC Cruises.
Almost 150 travel agents took part in a two-day travel agent training programme designed to increase their awareness of the cruise and ferry industries. This great interest shows the enormous and growing importance of cruises in the European market.
Inaugural presentation of the Seatrade Insider Cruise Awards
Seven companies/personalities were awarded for their contributions to the cruise industry at the Seatrade Insider Cruise Awards, principal sponsor Fidelio Cruise. Hobart was awarded in the category of ‘Food & Beverage/Hotel Operations’, for its development of environmental friendly dishwashers, which save up to 50 percent of water. Cruise Baltic, an alliance of 19 destinations in the Baltic Sea, won ‘Destination of the Year’; Holland America Line in cooperation with the British environmental specialist Krystallon won ‘Environmental Initiative of the Year’ (sponsored by Port of Dover), ‘Supplier of the Year’ was awarded to the Turkish travel company Tura Turizm and ‘Port of the Year’ went to Puerto Costa Maya. John Heald, Senior Cruise Director of Carnival Cruise Lines, was recognised as ‘Sea-going Employee of the Year’. The final award, ‘Seatrade European Cruise Personality of the Year’ was presented to Bernard Meyer, Managing Partner of Papenburg’s Meyer Werft.