The Marine Hotel Association (MHA) has released a new strategic message as part of a New Year’s letter to its membership ahead of the group’s 34th annual conference and trade show, set for Naples, Florida, March 31 to April 2.
“The MHA is a not-for-profit, international association run by and for the cruise industry and dedicated to enhancing the onboard guest experience,” wrote John McGirl, president of the MHA and Chief Operating Officer of The World, Residences at Sea. “This will be achieved by providing active forums for open dialogue between the industry and a broad range of vendor partners and raising the level of cruise industry talent by creating opportunities for professional development and career growth.”
The not-for-profit group has also announced a Culinary Showcase for its Naples event featuring top chefs from across the industry.
The conference and trade show remains the only event of its kind dedicated to the marine hotel sector.
“Our not-for-profit status makes our events accessible and affordable for every level of the marine hotel organization and provides an entry point for new suppliers to gain access to the sector without sacrificing any aspect of the experience,” McGirl said. “In fact, because we are run by a voluntary board of marine hotel executives and supplier companies, we pride ourselves on offering a truly exceptional conference and tradeshow mirroring the standards and quality we aspire to onboard all our respective vessels.”
Additional show and membership revenue is funneled back into the group’s trademark scholarship program.
“Over the years since MHA’s scholarship programs were introduced over 8,000 shipboard and shoreside staff have benefited from attending these programs with their tuition covered by MHA Scholarship funds,” McGirl continued. “We are working on introducing exciting new offerings to the Scholarship program for 2019 and hope to be announcing those at the upcoming show in March.”
