In this issue:

The Programme

Partners at the Event

4 ways to Join In

Testimonials

The Final Word

informeryour update from the cruise experts

The ACE Cruise Convention Selling Cruise Conference - May 1st & 2nd 2012 ACE is delighted to be holding the first ever Selling Cruise Conference as part of the 6th annual ACE Cruise Convention in Southampton May 1 & 2 2012. This must attend event is designed for those wanting to discover a world of cruise opportunities, advice, trends and inspiration.

Day 1 will see business sessions, a compelling conference programme, great networking opportunities with a vast array of cruise line and travel partner members and an engaging range of guest speakers. Some great evening entertainment will finish off day one and visits to either P&O Cruises Adonia and Royal Caribbean International’s Independence of the Seas or Princess Cruises Grand Princess and Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth will take place on day two.

This year will be the first time we have a restricted number of delegate spaces available and with only 4 weeks to go places are very limited, confirm your attendance now at the ultimate 2012 cruise event by visiting www.cruiseexperts.org. If you sell cruises or work with those that do, you really can’t afford to miss the Selling Cruise Conference.

See you there

AdeleEditor

April 2012 |

It is almost upon us again - the sixth ACE Cruise Convention that is now one of the highlights of the cruising calendar. Launched in 2007 the event has seen many inspirational and knowledgeable speakers give us valuable insights into the state of the industry, and how we can be part of its growth.

This year we are doing things slightly differently. We still have the ship visits, the trade fair and plenty of insights; but we are having a dedicated ‘business day’ so that we can really maximise on the time for conference, networking and business sessions; and make day two all about the ships.

We have created a line-up of speakers and sessions we know will challenge and inspire you - so much so that we will not reveal the full line-up of speakers and sessions... we want to save plenty of surprises for you on the day.

Our ultimate aim is to give you the advice, tips and inspiration to sell more cruise. We think that this year, more than any other we need to “Think Differently” - because it is time for creative thinking, a different kind of action and time to stand out from the crowd.

In a competitive world we need a competitive advantage over our rivals and maybe, just maybe, we can give you some tools to ensure that you can return to work to grow your cruise sales. You almost cannot afford to miss it...

So come and join us. And Think Differently.

The Final Word from Andy Harmer, ACE Director

It was well worth our investment and thank you to ACE for giving us the opportunity to continue to gain valuable experience, training and motivation in cruise.

Don’t hesitate in sending your cruise sellers….You will reap the benefits! 4 weeks to go-go-go

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...from new to cruise agents, or those of us, old salty sea dogs, we learn from the splendid connection and association ACE and the Cruise companies have to ensure the maximum learning opportunities for us all together with the wonderfully arranged and planned event such as the ACE Cruise Convention.

It’s also a time that the Cruise lines put to one side rivalry and come together as one to shine amongst a very depressed economic climate, and show that cruise is alive and well and here to grow through the eyes and efforts of the specialist travel agent ACE members.

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Jason Peters, Creative Cruises

Registration for this year’s Selling Cruise Conference closes soon. Visit WWW.CRUISEEXPERTS.ORG now to secure your place.

The Programme

Tuesday May 1st09:15 Registration opens Botley Park Hotel, Southampton10:10 Conference and business sessions 12:30 Lunch13:30 Part 2 of the Conference and business sessions15:00 Cruise Marketplace17:00 Coaches to your hotel19:15 Pick up from your hotel19:30 An evening of entertainment and dining

The Partners

To date the following partners are supporting the event in May:Headline SponsorsRocky Mountaineer, Spanish Tourist Office, Canadian Tourism Commission and TraveltekMedia SponsorsMail Newspapers and Travel WeeklyOfficial SponsorsA2B Transfers, ABTA, All Discovery Cruising, APT, Avalon Waterways, Azamara Club Cruises, Bedsonline, Business Solent, Carnival Cruise Lines, Celebrity Cruises, Classic International Cruises, Conrad Advertising, Cruise & Maritime Voyages, Cruise Baltic, Crystal Cruises, Cunard Line, Dubai Tourism, Florida Keys & Key West, Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises, Holiday Extras, Holland America Line, Hurtigruten, Kirker Holidays, Looking 4 Parking, MSC Crociere SA, Norwegian Cruise Lines, Oceania Cruises, P&O Cruises, Port Of Dover, Port of Portsmouth, Princess Cruises, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Royal Caribbean International, Seabourn, Shearings Limited, Silversea, Tailor Made Cruise Holidays, Tauck Tours, Thomson Cruises, Titan Travel, Tourism Fiji, Travel TIS, Travel Uni, Tunisia

Martin Hay, Go Cruise Ribble Valley“Let’s face it times are hard, money is tight so why should you go to the 2012 ACE Cruise Convention? Two reasons: Hardware and People

Hardware: Anyone (including your clients) can read a brochure, but there really is no substitute for developing your cruise knowledge and expertise and no better way of doing that than by seeing the real thing up close and personal, if you are new or nearly new to cruise the line-up at this year’s ACE Cruise Convention is fantastic.

People: The ACE Cruise Convention provides you with a unique opportunity to talk with many different cruise line representatives and who knows you may even discover operators you have never even heard of - think opportunity and go for it”

Wednesday May 2ndFrom 09:00 ship visits on-board either:

Grand Princess & Independence of the SeasOr

Adonia & Queen Elizabeth

Disembarkation from 15:30 and coaches back to your hotel or train station.

Four ways to Join InThere are four ways to join in during the event; Send us your images: have you got a great image or number of images that you have taken whilst on a cruise, on a cruise excursion or pre-or-post stay. We could be using your image on the main stage... Email alex@psa-ace.org Do you have any top sales tips that you can tell us about? No matter how big or small, share your top tips and we could be sending you off on a cruise to say thank you! Email alex@psa-ace.org

We are holding a session featuring Captain’s and on-board officers and crew. Is there anything that you would like to know or ask them? Email your questions to alex@psa-ace.org, heading the email QUESTION, and we could be asking your question on-stage...

Follow the conversation all about the Convention on Twitter by using #acecruise and keep up to date with news, opinions and announcements.

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Tracey Holt, Go Cruise noted that, “The ACE Cruise Convention is an invaluable experience

Simply a must attend event for the following reasons:• Networking with cruise lines and account managers• Gain a full understanding of the industry• Up to date information, learning new trends within the travel industry• Good investment of time and money• Attending the convention shows the cruise lines and account Managers that you are serious about your business and want to gain more information • Good to see the account managers face to face, and not just speaking over the phone.• Ship visits - gaining first hand cruise experience• My own personal growth and development in the industry was fast tracked by visiting the first ever ACE Convention in Dover.”

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Come and join us at this great event, but don’t just take our word for it...

Jo Rzymowska, Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises & Azamara Club Cruises “This year’s ACE Cruise Convention is a ‘Must Attend’ event. The ACE team has put together an action packed day with a great mix of highly aspirational and motivational speakers, cruise industry experts and lots of practical tips to help ACE agents sell more cruises. I look forward to seeing you all there.”

Nicole Eaves, Garstang Travel says“Two of our sales team attended the ACE convention last year the experience of the event was invaluable….They had their first experience of a RCCL ship on one of the ship visits on the Independence Of the Seas and were amazed with its superb facilities. Emma secured a fantastic RCCL booking worth £9k for new to cruise clients on her 1st day back in the office! Proving that sending front line staff to the ACE Convention to gain first-hand experience and get enthusiastic about cruise is paramount.”