BMA Leaders attend CLIA’s Business on the Bay

It was good to be back in Miami and this year The Bahamas Maritime Authority was pleased to be jointly sponsoring the Cruise Lines International Association’s (CLIA) Business on the Bay event with The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments and Aviation. 

The Bahamas’ Deputy Prime Minister, who is also the Minister of Tourism, Investments and Aviation, brought official remarks to an end, underscoring the importance of the cruise industry to the country. The Bahamas was represented in fine style as the event was also supported by the Nassau Cruise Port, Bimini Cruise Port, Freeport Shipping Company and the Grand Bahama Port Authority.

Business on the Bay was held at the Perez Art Museum in Miami during the evening of Monday 8th April and was preceded by a VIP event on the Seafair yacht to which The BMA’s Chairman, Jacqueline M. Simmons, Deputy Chairman, Peter J. Goulandris, Board Director V. Moreno Hamilton and Managing Director and CEO, Capt Dwain Hutchinson, were all invited. 

Board Director Dario Lundy-Mortimer and team members from BMA Global offices, Katie Clarke, Stephen Keenan, Felicia Alleyne, Larez Pinder, and Leah Davis also joined the delegation at the Art Museum. There, The Bahamas was pleased to introduce a Junkanoo Rushout, a key cultural element of Bahamian heritage involving colourful costumes, music, and storytelling, and a Bahamian band. Both performances brought a vibrant taste of The Bahamas to the approximately 1,000 guests present at the event.

The team was able to network with cruise line officials and CLIA leadership, taking the opportunity to discuss the future of cruising and the trends currently emerging.

CLIA has identified four key policy areas for focus in the coming months.  They are:

• Support our members’ pursuit of net-zero emissions
• Promote the industry’s license to operate in key ports and destinations
• Maximise industry growth
• Advance a best-in-class association

All four of these areas of focus align with The BMA’s strategy for the future and the Authority will be working to support both CLIA, the Association’s members and its own clients as they strive for success in these vital endeavours.