Agenda

Registration for Trade Show required. Sign up will be available in the Attendee Service Center on January 23.

When you are not visiting with Exhibitors in the Trade Show, please explore the ships during their open house, which will be running throughout the day.

Trade Show coffee break sponsored by:

Celebrate a successful Expo with after parties aboard river cruise ships, featuring vibrant live music and captivating themes tailored to each vessel. Join us for an unforgettable celebration as we close the event in style, creating lasting memories against the scenic backdrop of the river.

Ships participating in after parties include:

• Amadeus Cara
• AmaWaterways AmaSerena: St. Patrick's Day themed
• Avalon Passion
• Avalon Imagery III
• Riverside Debussey
• Riviera MS Geoffrey Chaucer
• Tauck MS Joy: Dance Party
• Uniworld S.S. Victoria: 70s themed

Registration for Trade Show required. Sign up will be available in the Attendee Service Center on January 23.

When you are not visiting with Exhibitors in the Trade Show, please explore the ships during their open house, which will be running throughout the day.

Trade Show coffee break sponsored by:

Join us at the welcome reception, where the enchanting ambiance of riverside elegance sets the stage for a memorable event kickoff. Savor exquisite cocktails and snack on small bites as you mingle with fellow enthusiasts, creating the perfect prelude to a voyage of discovery and networking along Amsterdam's beautiful waterways.

Located inside the Passenger Terminal.

Sponsored by

The General Session will be held in the Passenger Terminal, doors open at 8:45 AM. Kick off the ASTA River Cruise Expo 2024 with our emcee, Sandra McLemore, Founder of Travel Marketing & Media. You'll also hear inspirational words and welcome from ASTA President & CEO, Zane Kerby and ASTA Board Chair, Jackie Friedman.

 

Session I: Mastering River Cruise Sales: Accelerating Your Success with Proven Strategies

Unlock the secrets to river cruise sales success in our exclusive panel discussion featuring top river cruise advisors. Join the discussion as they unveil the keys to propelling your river cruise business into "overdrive." Whether it's mastering sales, leveraging cutting-edge marketing techniques, or dominating the social media game, these experts will share proven strategies for unprecedented success. Attendees will learn actionable steps to boost sales, master marketing, and tangible steps needed to increase your influence.

Don't miss this chance to learn from the best and supercharge your river cruise business!

Speakers:

Jackie Friedman, President, Nexion

Kristie Keller, Owner, Addicted to Adventures LLC

Karen Quinn-Panzer, Owner, Quinn Panzer Travel

Alisa Spatafora, Luxury Travel Advisor, Alisa Travel Designs

Vernae White, Agency Owner, Voyages By Vernae

 

Networking Break sponsored by Signature Travel Network

 

Session II: Educational Keynote: Navigating Success and Growing Your River Cruise Business

Get ready for an engaging session at the ASTA River Cruise Expo with Sandra McLemore, a renowned expert in travel marketing. Sandra brings a fresh, dynamic approach to understanding sales pipelines in the travel industry. She'll dive into the art of converting strangers into curious email subscribers and eventually, into loyal paying clients who become river cruise fanatics. Her presentation promises to be lively and insightful, packed with practical tips on nurturing these relationships and establishing a strong presence in the travel market. Expect a blend of professionalism and charisma as Sandra shares her secrets to keeping your pipeline flowing and your clients excited.

 

Don't miss this opportunity to learn from one of the best and give your travel agency the edge it deserves!

Speaker:
Sandra McLemore, Founder, Travel Marketing & Media

 

Session III: Mastering the Art in Transforming Skeptics into Devoted River Cruise Enthusiasts

Discover the secrets to turning skeptics into passionate adventurers from top river cruise advisors. Whether some potential clients are more addicted to the vastness of ocean cruising, averse to the idea of cruises altogether, or feeling confined by perceived river cruise limitations, this distinguished panel will guide you through the art of conversion. Gain persuasive talking points and actionable strategies you can use to ignite a love for river cruising with your clientele.

 

Speakers:

Nicole Edenedo, Senior Editor, Tours/River Cruise Travel Weekly

Donna Manz , Travel Advisor and European River Cruise Specialist, Caddie Travel

Melinda Fortunato, President, Best Travel, LLC

Christen Perry, Founder and Owner, Classic Travel Connection

Maria Evangelista, Travel Designer, JMJ Travel Services

General Session Partner Speakers:
Bob Ford, Regional Vice President of US Sales, AIG
Suzanne Lustig, Director of National Accounts, Allianz Partners
Marcus Leskovar, Executive Vice President, Amadeus River Cruises
Alex Pinelo, Senior Vice President of Sales, AmaWaterways
Pam Hoffee, President, Avalon Waterways
Jen Halboth, CEO, Riverside Luxury Cruises
Marilyn Conroy, Executive Vice President of Sales & Marketing, Riviera River Cruises
Ken Muskat, Managing Director, Scenic | Emerald River Cruises
Steve Spivak, Vice President of Global Sales & Reservations, Tauck River Cruises
Ellen Bettridge, President & CEO, Uniworld Boutique River Cruises
Michele Saegesser, Vice President of Sales & National Accounts, Viking
 

Sponsored by

Reservations are required. Sign up is now CLOSED. 

if you did not make meal selections, meals will be assigned to you at random. 

Enjoy an evening at your leisure, or grab some peers and explore the city. 

Looking for a place to dine? click here. 

If you have not yet picked up your badge, please stop by the registration desk. Your badge will be required for entry to all activities for today. Our ASTA Help Desk will also be available to assist with any questions you may have.

Say hello to the ASTA Registration staff and pick up your badge. Badges will be required for entry to all Expo events.

Located inside the Passenger Terminal.

Hear directly from our River Cruise partners as they review their product. Education sessions will be hosted on all 12 ships. 

• Amadeus Cara
• AmaWaterways AmaMora
• AmaWaterways AmaSerena
• Avalon Passion
• Avalon Imagery II
• Riverside Debussey
• Riviera MS Geoffrey Chaucer
• Scenic Emerald Dawn
• Tauck MS Joy
• Uniworld S.S. Victoria
• Viking Sigrun
• Viking Ve

Registration for Education Sessions required. Sign up now CLOSED. 



 

Hear directly from our River Cruise partners as they review their product. Education sessions will be hosted on all 12 ships. 

• Amadeus Cara
• AmaWaterways AmaMora
• AmaWaterways AmaSerena
• Avalon Passion
• Avalon Imagery II
• Riverside Debussey
• Riviera MS Geoffrey Chaucer
• Scenic Emerald Dawn
• Tauck MS Joy
• Uniworld S.S. Victoria
• Viking Sigrun
• Viking Ve

Registration for Education Sessions required. Sign up now CLOSED. 




 

Sightseeing Tours will be offered through the River Cruise ship in which you are staying on during the Expo. The lines will be reaching out to confirmed attendees to coordinate your tour.

for those staying at the Movenpick or offsite, we have provided a tour option for you. To sign up, please click here. 

ASTA's New Member Dinner will be hosted offsite at the Pulitzer Hotel. Transportation will be provided.

Sponsored by

For any last minute questions before you embark, please visit the ASTA staff at our Help Desk. 

Located on Level 1 of the Movenpick.

Reservations are required. Sign up is now CLOSED. 

if you did not make meal selections, meals will be assigned to you at random. 

Luggage will need ot be outside your cabin door by 8:30 AM so that your post-cruise line may collect all baggage. 

Reservations are required. Sign up is now CLOSED. 

if you did not make meal selections, meals will be assigned to you at random. 

For any event related questions, please visit the ASTA staff at our Help Desk. 

Located in the Movenpick Lobby.

Reservations are required. Sign up is now CLOSED. 

if you did not make meal selections, meals will be assigned to you at random. 

Our ASTA Help Desk will be available to assist with any questions you may have.

Onboarding is available at 9:00 AM or 12:00 PM depending on your ship. If you have a special request to board early, please contact the cruise line directly to make arrangements. While you can embark, drop your luggage, and enjoy the lounge at the time listed below, your cabin may not be ready until the afternoon.

• 9:00 AM Ships:
  • AmaWaterways
  • Avalon
  • Emerald
  • Riverside
  • Tauck
  • Uniworld
  • Viking
• 12:00 PM Ships:
  • Riviera
  • Amadeus

Reservations are required. Sign up is now CLOSED. 

if you did not make meal selections, meals will be assigned to you at random. 

Seamlessly weave together ship inspections, trade shows, and FAM sailings with a game-changing, high-conversion blueprint.

 

Get excited for this pre-expo workshop offered by Travel Marketing and Media in Amsterdam! It’s not only the perfect bridge linking all your experiences and learning, but it’s also one of those rare moments when the Travel Marketing & Media® community comes together in person. The workshop is an optional add-on for advisors and everyone is welcome. It has limited space and bookings will close on Feb 15 or when the workshop is fully booked, whichever comes first. Benefit from the stellar, hands-on training in travel marketing and sales conversion with travel marketing expert, Sandra McLemore.

 

Prepare to boost your leads and skyrocket your sales!

• Identifying potential river cruise clients from your current clientele.
• Profiling the ideal river cruiser, especially reaching those unfamiliar with the concept.
• Key visibility tactics and a spotlight on the top three for maximum conversion.
• Crafting the perfect content for your visibility ads and guidance on how to set up your first visibility ad
• The crucial email sequence every new subscriber should receive
• Distinguishing between educational and sales emails.
• Strategizing how and when to send sales emails for maximum bookings.
• A deep dive into the conversion formula to ensure you meet your targets: from impressions/views to email subscribers, open rates, click rates, proposal numbers, and finalized sales. We'll dissect each conversion step, enabling you to trace back from your sales target.
• Clarity on how to charge planning fees for river cruising clients (individuals, couples, or groups)

 

If you cannot attend the in-person experience, there is a pre-recorded on-demand version that can be purchased. It will be available on Mar 1, 2024 and sent directly to all registered participants

 

LOCATION & TIME: TBD (click on “Register Now” for up to date information)

REGISTER NOW

Use this time to explore all River Cruise brands at your leisure. 

If you are participating in a post-sailing, please stop by the ship's front desk to collect your luggage tags.