Australian Cruise Association (ACA) has announced additional speakers for its 2025 conference, returning to Fremantle, Western Australia from 3 to 5 September.
This year’s event brings the theme Anchoring Success Across Every Region to life with a powerful lineup of industry leaders, innovators, and regional changemakers.
This year marks a significant milestone – 20 years since Fremantle last hosted the ACA Conference (then Cruise Down Under) in 2005, when just 49 delegates attended. In 2025, over 150 delegates are expected, highlighting the continued growth and momentum of Australia’s cruise industry.
Thursday’s full-day conference program explores critical themes shaping the cruise industry, including regional development, strategic deployment and future forecasting. Attendees can hear from a distinguished lineup of speakers representing government, cruise lines, port authorities, tourism organisations, and local leadership.
Additional speakers
Confirmed speakers for Thursday 4 September include:
- Joel Katz, Cruise Lines International Association
- Matthew Rutherford, Princess Cruises
- Michael Braathren, Mystic Cruises
- Peter Little, Carnival Corporation
- Gavin Smith, Royal Caribbean Group
- Ben Angell, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings
- Tim Jones, Celebrity Cruises
- Adam Radwanski, Silversea Cruises
- Deb Corbett, Ponant
- Sally Cope, Tourism Australia
- Steve Biviano, Select Fresh Providores
- Jacqui Lloyd, New Zealand Cruise Association
They join the previously announced:
- Robert de Bruin, Holland America Line
- Debbie Hollbrook, Princess Cruises
- Christine Manjencic, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings
The Friday 5 September Breakfast session features Fremantle Foundation CEO and guitarist of iconic Australian band Eskimo Joe Stu MacLeod. Stu shares the inspiring work of the Fremantle Foundation through the lens of his personal journey, combining a passion for music, community, and social impact in the place he proudly calls home.
Alana McLean will MC the event. A familiar voice and face across some of Australia’s leading media networks including Southern Cross Austereo’s Mix 94.5, Channel 7 and Channel 10, McLean is a Perth-based radio and television presenter with a strong connection to Western Australia.
McLean has interviewed global names including Grammy-winner David Guetta, earning her an Australian Commercial Radio Award (ACRA).
