Cruise Ship Interiors Expo Miami, the world’s first highly focused event dedicated exclusively to interior design, architecture, and outfitting in the cruise industry, welcomed the entire cruise interiors community under one roof on June 19 and 20, 2019, at the Miami Beach Convention Center, FL, USA.
The inaugural event opened its doors to more than 2,800 industry delegates from 43 countries. Twenty-three per cent of attendees held C-level job titles, while 20% were lead architects or designers. Attending companies included Crystal Cruises, Disney Cruise Line, Fincantieri, Holland America Group, and The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection. The reception on-site was unprecedented, with the event receiving an impressive 120% rebookings on-site.
Kickstarting the event on June 18 at the New World Center in Miami, VIPs and exhibitors came together for an evening of networking, complimentary drinks, and live painting by James R Hahn at the Official Launch Party, sponsored by Bolidt, Global Marine Travel, Janus et Cie, and Somec Group.
After a successful evening of reconnecting with industry peers and making new acquaintances, attendees flooded into the expo hall at 9.30am the following day to meet with 250+ marine interior brands. The expo hall quickly filled up with cruise lines execs, senior interior designers, shipyard and outfitting experts, and IMO-certified suppliers.
Meanwhile, hundreds of delegates gathered for the first conference session of the day, ‘Cruise Industry Outlook: Leaders’ Debate,’ where speakers from Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Princess Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, and MSC Cruises were welcomed to the stage by chair & associate professor of interior architecture at Florida International University Newton D’souza. It was standing room only as the session got under way.
Day two highlights included international president of NEWH Cindy Guthrie presenting Brennan Broome with a design scholarship sponsored by Cruise Ship Interiors Expo. Even more networking took place at Studio DADO’s VIP breakfast and, later in the day, at Trimline’s exclusive party.
After a laudable first event, Cruise Ship Interiors Expo attendees left with brand new connections, reaffirmed partnerships, fresh inspiration, and a host of new clients.