CLIA has revealed the second keynote speaker at its three-day conference, taking place in Southampton from the 15-17 May.

Virgin Voyages’ president and CEO Tom McAlpin will join Azamara’s president and CEO Larry Pimentel at the association’s flagship event.

McAlpin is one of founding members of Virgin Voyages and was previously CEO for ‘The World – Residences at Sea’, the largest private residential ship in the world.

The theme for the 2019 conference is ‘Next Generation’, exploring what cruise lines are doing in terms of investment and innovation to shape holidays for the future.

CLIA UK & Ireland director Andy Harmer said: “The theme ‘Next Generation’ looks at how guests’ cruise holiday experiences will change as we know it, both ashore and onboard, due to the huge amount of investment and innovation within the cruise industry.”

The annual CLIA conference will include a trade fair, a full day of conference sessions and a gala dinner.

Delegates will have the chance to visit to visit two of the three ships in port for the event: Celebrity Edge, Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 and MSC’s Preziosa.

Harmer added: “With a record number of travel agents already registered, tickets to attend the event are still available but we expect spaces to sell out very soon.

“Make sure to register and book a ticket so you don’t miss out on what’s set to be the biggest CLIA conference to date.”