Cruise Ship Interiors Expo Europe (CSIE) has released details of the conference programme that will feature at its debut event this winter. The new trade show will take place at the Fira de Barcelona from 4-5 December and is run by Elite Exhibitions (pictured above is CEO Toby Walters).

Over two days, the speaker programme will bring together 30 of the most senior, influential and innovative cruise designers in the business, ready to share their ideas and expertise in a series of interactive sessions.

Kicking off with a Leaders’ Debate chaired by Greg Walton, founding partner of Studio DADO on Wednesday 4 December, CSIE promises participants unique access to the design professionals shaping the cruising experience.

Walton will be joined by Alison Clixby, director of hotel design and projects at Carnival UK and Trevor Young, vice-president of newbuild at MSC Cruises.

“From our own experience at Studio DADO we have seen tremendous hunger for innovative cruise design concepts over recent years,” said Walton.

“CSIE is perfectly timed to reflect on what we have all learned and look ahead to where this incredibly exciting cruise shipping journey will take us in future. I am looking forward to being part of this groundbreaking event and to sharing ideas with industry peers.”

The first morning also includes contributions on design imperatives today and tomorrow from George Scammell, Holland America Group, Adam D Tihany, Tihany Design, Darren Smith, MJM Marine, Jérémie Chauvet, Schmitz Textiles, and Per Eriksson, Tillberg Design of Sweden.

After lunch, the agenda focuses on innovation in the materials used within cruise ship interiors in a session led by Bolidt’s maritime division director, Jacco van Overbeek.

ArtLink founder and CEO Tal Danai will then lead a session on design forecasting, which will feature Luke Pearson from Pearson Lloyd Design, Marloes Boyle of MDesign, and Peter Joehnk from JOI Design.

Part of day two provides a focus for river cruising and cruise ship refits, where confirmed participants include David McCarthy, AD Associates; Adrian Hibbert, Marella Cruises; Andy Yuill, SMC Designs; Michael Oliver of Trimline, and Charles Rae of Hammer Carpets.

Meanwhile, the specialised design needs of expedition cruise ships merit a dedicated slot, in a much-anticipated session featuring Anu Shaw, Kudos Design; Eleonora Brugnolotto of Crystal Cruises; Fredrik Johansson, Tillberg Design of Sweden, and Stefanie Jentz, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises.

Proceedings will come to a close with what promises to be a lively panel session that will allow those at the top of the cruise ship design sector to offer their visions for its future.

Andy Yuill, Greg Walton and David McCarthy return to the stage to be joined by CEO of YSA Design Anne Mari Gullikstad, Duo Yang of Kuhn Logistics University, and Marco de Jorio from De Jorio Design.

Cruise Ship Interiors Expo Europe aims to build on the success of the inaugural Cruise Ship Interiors Expo conference, which took place in Miami Beach in June this year.

This was the world’s first conference and exhibition focused exclusively on interior design, architecture and outfitting in the cruise sector and was attended by more than 3,500 industry professionals.

Cruise Ship Interiors Expo America returns to the Miami Beach Convention Centre from 16-17 June for its 2020 event.

For more information about the conference and exhibition at Cruise Ship Interiors Expo Europe, visit www.cruiseshipinteriors-europe.com.