ACA’s 25th conference and AGM kicks off in Wollongong

The 25^th Australian Cruise Association Conference (ACA) and AGM will commence today in Wollongong, NSW.

With considerable momentum gathering behind the cruise industry, the Conference is appropriately titled “Full Steam Ahead” with a range of keynote presentations and panel discussions to reflect the theme.

“The decision by NSW Premier Chis Minns on Monday to repeal the COVID health protocols was a timely and positive lead-in to our discussions at Conference this week,” said Jill Abel, CEO of the Australian Cruise Association.

“With such a positive outlook for cruise both at home and overseas, our conference will provide the industry with the perfect opportunity to come together and ensure we are well positioned to take advantage of future opportunities including what we hope is an imminent decision around the location of the third port.”

Its line-up of speakers will scaffold the program including Ben Angell, chair, CLIA Australasia; cruise line executives including Stuart Allison, SVP, Princess Cruises; Gavin Smith, VP and managing director, Royal Caribbean Cruises; and Mick Fogg – director of expeditions and destination development, Asia Pacific for Ponant Expeditions.

Phil Holliday, ACA chair and CEO, Port Authority of NSW has opened our 25th annual conference citing NSW as “Australia’s Cruise Capital” generating a substantial share of the $5B cruise industry. He also reinforced the urgent need for a third terminal for Sydney. #ACA2023#cruise pic.twitter.com/B0wOG9vrQd
— Aus Cruise Assoc (@CruiseACA) August 30, 2023

Dr. Natasha Montesalvo – principal consultant destinations, strategy and insight at Earthcheck will discuss building sustainable, resilient visitor economies and Sandra Lau from Viva Energy will bring her considerable expertise in the hydrogen fuel arena to the program when she speaks on the future of alternate fuels and their accessibility in Australia.

They will be joined by other industry experts including Bede Fennell (Tourism Australia) and Adele Labine-Romain (Deloitte Access Economics) who will round out the program to be held this year at the Novotel Wollongong Northbeach.

A pre-cruise program is being held with numerous opportunities on offer for attendees to take a deep dive into the local region including a tour of the bustling port of Port Kembla, a trip to Illawarra Regional Airport to experience aviation history, a walking tour of the Blue Mile and a fascinating Indigenous Stand-Up Paddle Board Tour led by local Dharawal woman, Jodi Edwards.

This will be followed by a Welcome Event where Paul Scully, MP is expected to speak about issues relating to cruise in NSW including discussions around Port Kembla as a strong option for Sydney’s third port.

Wollongong Lord Mayor, Gordon Bradbery, AM will welcome the record number of attendees to the conference and officially declare it open.

“We are excited to hold our Conference back in NSW this year to reflect the importance of the state as a lynchpin for cruise itineraries throughout Australia” Abel said.

According to the Port Authority of NSW, around one million passengers passed through Sydney cruise terminals in the 2022-23 financial year, with visitation rates in NSW approaching pre-pandemic figures at a faster rate than expected.

The final day of the Conference will kick off with a motivational breakfast session led by Ironman, Craig Alexander followed by the AGM and Member Workshops.

The Conference is supported by Visit Wollongong, Wollongong City Council and the Port Authority of NSW.

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Australian Cruise Association Ben Angell Jill Abel