The Association of Cruise Experts (ACE) has appointed Flo Powell as its new Director.

Flo will have responsibility for the continued development and growth of the Association, with particular emphasis on providing innovative new cruise training programmes, designing and implementing new online training resources and servicing the membership. Flo will also develop the ACE UK Cruise Convention, building upon the success of this year’s event, which saw the largest ever gathering of travel agents in the UK.

ACE plays a key role in educating travel agents on developments within the cruise sector and last year more than 25,000 agents were trained. The Association works with 36 cruise line members and more than 3,000 travel agencies, as well as colleges and Industry Associates.

ACE is part of the Passenger Shipping Association, and its Director Bill Gibbons said: “I am delighted to welcome Flo to ACE. She brings great strengths to this role and will be able to deliver highly relevant and creative initiatives for both our travel agent and cruise line members.”

Flo is currently working for the Tourism Society as its Executive Director and has been instrumental in growing the Society’s membership substantially. She has also worked in the events and conference sector. Flo will take up her new position with ACE in the autumn.