Once again, Hamburg was the hub of the international cruise industry when Europe’s leading congress and tradeshow for the sector, Seatrade Europe Cruise and River Cruise Convention, took place Sept. 11-13 at Hamburg Messe.
The tradeshow was held in conjunction with Hamburg Cruise Days, the biggest public cruise festival worldwide, making the city the biggest global stage for the cruise industry. More than 5,000 participants attended the 10th Seatrade Europe, bringing together senior buyers, planners and key decision-makers from Europe’s ocean and river cruise lines.
This unique biennial event has over 260 exhibitors from over 50 nations, including shipbuilders, tour organizers, interior outfitters and entertainment specialists.
Well-established public event Hamburg Cruise Days is held alongside Seatrade Europe, culminating in a mile-long procession of illuminated ships sailing down the Elbe River towards the sea against a backdrop of fireworks.
Other events held alongside Seatrade Europe include the Cruise Lines International Association’s (CLIA) Ports and Destination Summit, travel agency congress Cruise Live and Marine Interiors Cruise & Ferry Global Expo—a leading global event for passenger ship interiors.
“The combination of these cruise industry mega events ensures Hamburg will, once again, be the biggest global stage for the cruise industry,” says Florian Gerdes, marketing manager for conventions at Hamburg Convention Bureau.
“Germany’s second-largest city is the ideal venue for events like these,” she adds. “Many global players from the industry have their European headquarters in the city. Hamburg‘s long-established links with Asia, notably China, and the Baltic states make the city an international meeting point for decision-makers.”
The Hamburg Convention Bureau (HCB) is a division within Hamburg Tourismus GmbH. Already since 2009, the HCB has been responsible for profiling the destination as a globally recognised premium location for B2B events. For more info, visit www.hamburg-convention.com.
