2026 Day 1
Wednesday, November 4, 2026
All times are listed in Eastern Standard Time. Program is tentative and subject to change.
8:00am Registration Opens
9:00am – 10:00am Sponsored Workshops
VAX VacationAccess: The Must Visit Leisure Travel Marketplace
Join us to experience the power of the VAX. VAX VacationAccess is the premier Leisure Travel Marketplace, home to a wealth of tools, resources, content and suppliers that advisors rely on all in one spot. Let us show you how VAX can help you grow your business with bookable product, educational opportunities, offers & promotions and tons of exciting editorial content on The Compass. In this session you’ll have the opportunity to learn about the latest news from VAX VacationAccess.
Presented by Mark Wertschnig, VAX Education and Implementation Advisor, VAX VacationAccess
Hong Kong – Asia’s Cruise Hub
Hong Kong is not only a well-renowned cruise hub, but also an exceptional destination with enormous market potential for regional cruising. Renowned for its iconic skyline, award-winning culinary experiences, state-of-the-art cruise facilities, and seamless connectivity, Hong Kong offers travelers an unparalleled blend of East-meets-West experiences. As Asia's World City, it provides a diverse range of immersive shore experiences, from heritage neighborhoods and breathtaking natural landscapes to family-friendly attractions and luxury lifestyle experiences. This session will showcase Hong Kong's latest tourism developments, destination highlights, and cruise infrastructure, demonstrating why the city remains a preferred homeport and turnaround destination for unforgettable cruise journeys across Asia.
Presented by Patricia Yuen, Director, Cruise, Hong Kong Tourism Board
10:15am – 11:45pm Sponsored Workshop
What’s New at Six of the Carnival Corporation Brands?
Learn the latest news from six of the Carnival Corporation brands all in one workshop! Did you know that Carnival Cruise Line, Holland America, Princess, Seabourn, Cunard and the Italian brand Costa are all part of the Carnival Corporation family? Together with German-based AIDA and British-based P&O UK it is the largest cruise corporation in the world with more than 350 years of combined cruising experience, cruising to all seven continents and more than 800 destinations around the world. From family to luxury to expedition there is a Carnival Corporation brand that will suit your client expectations with comfort, safety and reliability. Whether it’s just driving distance from home or on the other side of the world, our ships offer the best seats in the house for the best views at sea.
12:00pm – 2:00pm General Session, sponsored by Carnival Corporation & Lunch, sponsored by Carnival Cruise Line
Welcome from Visit Lauderdale
Presented by Stacy Ritter, CDME, President & Chief Executive Officer, Visit Lauderdale
Live Podcast, presented by Carnival Corporation
With Johanna Jainchill, Editor-in-Chief, Travel Weekly
A Sit Down with Seabourn
With Mary Pat Sullivan, Executive Vice President of Marketing and Partnerships, Travel Weekly; and Mark Tamis, President, Seabourn
Lunch, sponsored by Carnival Cruise Line
Presented by Kirsten Sanchez, Director of Strategic Partnerships, Carnival Cruise Lines
A Word from AmaWaterways
Presented by Michal Maguire, Vice President, Marketing, AmaWaterways
TW Talks, hosted by AmaWaterways
Presented by Theresa Scalzitti, Chief Operations Officer, Cruise Planners
2:15pm – 3:15pm Sponsored Workshops
Japan: Endless Discovery Seminar by JNTO and Princess Cruises
With its breathtaking scenery, rich cultural heritage, unparalleled cuisine and world-class service, Japan has garnered the attention of travelers as one of the world's most exciting cruise destinations. In this workshop, JNTO and Princess Cruises will introduce this wondrous archipelago and help advisors understand how to best explore it by sea. Representatives from Yokohama City Visitors Bureau, JTB Global Marketing & Travel Inc., and Japan Airlines will also be joining to share their own insights. From seamless travel by air to expertly curated pre-post land itineraries to smooth embarkation from one of Japan's leading cruise gateways, every aspect of your clients' travel experiences will be covered. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn directly from Japan travel experts and expand your Japan destination knowledge.
Presented by:
Brandon Carothers, Assistant Manager, Yokohama City Visitors Bureau
Munenori Fujita, General Manager, JTB Global Marketing & Travel, Inc.
Take Muranaka, Account Manager, Global Sales, Japan Airlines
Sara Preston, National Account Manager, Princess Cruises
Hidetoshi Saito, General Sales Manager, JTB Global Marketing & Travel, Inc.
Yohko Scott, Regional Promotion Director, JNTO
Cruise Planners: Tech Tools for a More Productive Advisor
In this workshop, we’ll look at ways travel advisors can use technology in all facets of their business to service, book, manage, and communicate with their best clients. Using AI-powered tools, Cruise Planners will demonstrate how modern technology empowers today’s travel advisors.
Presented by Brian Shultz, Chief Information Officer, Cruise Planners; and Phill Guerra, Senior Vice President, Technology, Cruise Planners
Century Cruises: Making the World’s Great Rivers Easy to Sell
China is returning to the tourism main stage—and travel advisors who prepare now will be ready to capture the opportunity. Join Century Cruises for an engaging 60-minute session designed to take China from complex to confident. Discover how our 5-star, all-inclusive, fully guided cruise tours make one of the world’s most extraordinary—and sometimes intimidating—destinations surprisingly easy to sell. Learn how to identify the right China traveler, overcome common misconceptions, answer client questions, and turn growing curiosity into bookings. And the Century story is getting bigger. Meet Century Star, our beautiful new ship bringing the Century experience to Europe’s legendary Danube and Rhine, and get a first look at what’s ahead as we expand to Egypt with our own purpose-built Nile ships expected to debut in 2028. Come for China. Discover where Century is going next—and leave with new destinations, new confidence, and new opportunities for your business. P.S. Did someone say 25% commission opportunity?
Presented by Ivana Nunez, Business Development Manager, Century Cruises
Workshop: VidantaWorld
Alaska Awaits: Find Your Wild
Ready to sell more Alaska with confidence? Pack your sense of adventure and find your wild beyond the ship. That might mean spotting a moose, riding the Alaska Railroad, experiencing Alaska Native cultures, or walking on a glacier. Discover how Anchorage connects it all. Explore sample land itineraries, local insights, and practical planning tips. Leave ready to match the right experience to every traveler, extend your clients’ Alaska journeys, and increase your sales.
Presented by:
Kara Troglin, Tourism Sales Manager, Visit Anchorage; and Tracy Zadra, Senior Passenger Sales Executive, Alaska Railroad
3:30pm – 5:15pm General Session
Beyond the Ocean: Exploring the River & Small Ship Market
Set sail beyond the ocean and dive into the expanding world of river and small ship cruising. In this panel, industry leaders will share insights on unique itineraries, guest experiences, and opportunities in this growing market. Learn how to position these intimate journeys to your clients and expand your sales potential.
Moderated by Ken Shapiro, Group Vice President and Editorial Director, Northstar Travel Group
With:
Hannah Westerdoll, Vice President of Sales, AMADEUS River Cruises
AmaWaterways
Arjun Sinsinwar, Chief Inspiration Officer, Antara Cruises
Damien O'Connor, Vice President, River Cruise, Trafalgar River Cruises
VIVA Cruises
Coffee Chat with Mary Pat, presented by InteleTravel
Presented by Tara Minson, President, InteleTravel
A Moment with IMG Travel Insurance
Presented by Will Nihan, Chief Executive Officer, IMG Travel Insurance
TW Talks, hosted by AmaWaterways
Presented by Andrea Wright, Vice President of Luxury Sales and Trade Partnerships, Opulence by Outsideagents.com
A Spotlight on Riviera Travel
Presented by Marilyn Conroy, Executive Vice President, Business Development, Riviera Travel
A Word from Hertz
Groups Panel
With:
Costa Cruises
Oceania Cruises
Railbookers
Travelive
TW Talks, hosted by AmaWaterways
Presented by Joshua Harrell, Chief Revenue Officer, WorldVia Travel Network
5:30pm – 6:45pm Think Tank (Advisors only), sponsored by Scenic & Emerald Cruises
Join fellow travel advisors in the collaborative Think Tank, sponsored by Scenic & Emerald Cruises, designed to spark conversation and share best practices. Walk away with fresh ideas and actionable strategies to grow your business and better serve your clients.
Moderated by Catherine Brask, Senior Director of Marketing, Northstar Travel Group; and Marilyn Cairo, Vice President of Sales & Trade Relations for the US & LATAM, Scenic & Emerald Group
5:30pm – 7:00pm STAR Program Roundtables*
*Pre-scheduled suppliers and advisor attendees only