CLIA Enhances And Expands Executive Partner Member Program

New membership categories and levels include exclusive access and benefits for Members

Executive Partner Member Program reaffirms CLIA's commitment to entire value chain

News provided by

Cruise Lines International Association

Nov 12, 2014, 12:00 ET

WASHINGTON, Nov. 12, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), the global cruise trade association, today announced a restructure of its Executive Partner Membership Program, designed to offer more opportunities for the entire cruise industry to engage in CLIA's programs and activities.

"Based on feedback from our Executive Partners, cruise line members, and other stakeholders, CLIA is introducing a streamlined, customized Program for 2015," said Christine Duffy, CLIA President & CEO. "With this evolution of our Executive Partner Member Program, we are reaffirming our commitment to the cruise industry's value chain and our underlying vision: 'One Industry, One Voice,' as we look forward to expanding our collaboration with all of segments of the broader cruise industry."

The 2015 Executive Partner Membership Program will be enhanced in various ways, including by creating communities of interest and adding new events and other exclusive offerings for each of the four new categories of Executive Partner membership: Ports & Destinations, Travel Operators, Technical & Supply Chain Providers, and Business Services Providers. Additionally, in 2015 CLIA will restrict access to most of its events to members only, and will offer Executive Partner Members preferential sponsorship opportunities.

The geographic-based National, Regional and Global levels in CLIA's current Executive Partner Member Program will be replaced by a Silver, Gold, and Diamond membership levels in 2015, reflecting the global nature of the cruise industry and clarifying the benefits and pricing at each level. Silver-level memberships offer affordable, entry-level membership for smaller national markets in Europe, Australasia, and emerging markets while Gold and Diamond memberships provide additional benefits for more established markets.

"The new membership categories are intended to provide more relevant opportunities for networking and brand awareness, while the new membership levels will offer clearly-defined levels of access to CLIA's network for each Partner. We look forward to growing our relationships with existing Partners, and to welcoming new Partners to CLIA in months to come," said Duffy.

CLIA's "One Industry, One Voice" vision is to represent, promote, protect and grow the entire cruise industry and its stakeholders. CLIA's Global Executive Partner Membership Program was established in 2014 to engage industry supply stakeholders, following CLIA's development into the global association for the cruise industry. In further uniting ports and destinations, travel operators, manufacturers and service providers, the Program aims to create a community committed to the sustained success of the cruise industry around the world.

About CLIA
Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) is the world's largest cruise industry trade association with representation in North and South America, Europe, Asia and Australasia. CLIA represents the interests of cruise lines and travel agents and is engaged in providing travel agent training and marketing communications to promote the value and desirability of a cruise holiday vacation. For more information on CLIA, the cruise industry, and CLIA-member cruise lines and travel agencies, visit www.cruising.org. CLIA can also be followed on the Cruise Lines International Association's Facebook and Twitter fan pages, and CEO Christine Duffy can be followed@CLIACEO and cruising.org/ceoblog.

SOURCE Cruise Lines International Association