Imaging gathering with like-minded individuals, to discuss business or a topic of importance to you, while gazing out at the beautiful sea. What do you think it would it be like to meet in forums, or learn about new product launches, while en route to an exotic locale like the Caribbean or the Mexican Riviera?
These scenarios are realities for those who hold and attend conferences on cruise ships.
One moment they’re taking a morning dip on a pool deck, in the middle of the ocean, and the next they’re talking shoes or tattoos or whatever the subject of the conference may be. During the day, they’re knee-deep in discussion about vending machines or real estate, and at night they’re hitting the cabaret for a show.
In between normal conference activities, those who organize and attend these types of events on cruise ships are soaking in hot tubs, getting spa treatments, and exploring exciting ports of call in locations like Grand Cayman or Cozumel.
If you have the opportunity to organize a conference, or attend one, consider doing it on a cruise ship. Here’s some reasons why:
It’s Cost Effective
If you’re the one in charge of planning a conference, holding it on a cruise ship can save you money. According to Landry & King, a cruise event services company, conferences held on cruise ships can save between 20% and 30% of the normal cost of an event.
This, they say, is because when you consider the price of conference space, presentation equipment, entertainment, and lodging, an all-inclusive rate on a cruise ship fares far better than individually bookings for everything on land.
It Builds Excitement
Whether you’re planning a conference or attending one, there probably aren’t many arguments you can make against the excitement of sharing information while cruising through breathtaking locations. How thrilling does it sound to listen to speaker sessions while lounging poolside, or enjoying a conference activity staged inside of a Vegas-style casino?
Research firm PhoCusWright has held yearly studies to determine the popularity of conferences on cruise ships, and they’ve seen the number of these events rise steadily. Small and large companies, organizations, clubs, and associations are opting more and more to hold conferences on cruise ships. They’re booking space on major cruise lines and they’re chartering private ships, all in effort to offer conference attendees a unique and fresh way to connect. Which, in turn, they’re finding, brings fresh ideas to the table.
Jo Kling, co-founder and CEO of Landry & Kling, says, “Taking people to an environment they don’t go often or have never been shifts the perspective all together. They’re not in a (dark) hotel ballroom… thinking, ‘Here we go again.’”
What if you could plan a conference that was affordable, engaging, and memorable? What if you could attend one with the same characteristics? Would you choose to do so? If so, consider a conference on a cruise ship. If you do take on this experience, drop back here and let us know how it went. We’d love to hear from you. If you’ve already held or attended a conference on a cruise ship, we want to hear from you too! Let us know about your event and if you’d do it again!
