The Expedition Cruise Network (ECN) has revealed the programme for its “most ambitious” conference to date

The Expedition Cruise Network Conference 2026, taking place on 29 and 30 September at Glaziers Hall in London, will combine panel discussions, workshops, keynote speeches, networking opportunities and one-to-one business meetings.

New for this year, the content has been separated into a two-day format designed to support delegates at different stages of their expedition cruising journey.

Day one is aimed at new-to-intermediate expedition cruise sellers, focusing on building confidence and know-how through practical sales techniques, destination knowledge and supplier insight.

Day two is geared towards experienced expedition specialists, exploring the trends shaping the sector, including leadership perspectives, innovation, emerging destinations, responsible tourism and commercial opportunities.

So far, contributors include Rémi Bouysset, CEO of Oceanwide Expeditions; Gebhard Rainer, CEO of HX Expeditions; Nathaniel Sherborne, SVP and MD EMEA and ANZ of HX Expeditions; Dan Blanchard, CEO and founder of UnCruise Adventures; and industry veteran Peter Shanks.

Ponant’s UK and Ireland general manager and ECN chair Anthony Daniels will also be in attendance, alongside Mario Bounas, CCO of Swan Hellenic; Dani Bates, head of UK sales at National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions; and John McKeon, founder and chair of Polar Latitudes Expeditions .

Sessions will explore citizen science in action, artificial intelligence in marketing, designing expedition journeys, crisis leadership (specifically hearing from Bouysset, CEO of Oceanwide Expeditions, on the lessons learned from the Hantavirus incident), turning knowledge into sales and current trends and opportunities across both polar and warm-water expeditions.

The ECN has also confirmed there will be a competition taking place on each day of the conference, with the opportunity to win an Antarctica voyage for two with Poseidon Expeditions on day one, and a cruise for two in French Polynesia with Aranui Cruises on day two.

It’s not just a travel trade event, it’s a professional and industry development platform designed to inspire new ideas

The programme launch follows the announcement of the event’s two keynote speakers, marine archaeologist Mensun Bound and trends analyst Dr Antonia Ward.

The event will also feature the invite-only Expedition Cruise Network Awards at Amazing Grace on 29 September. Nominations are still open, closing on 31 July 2026, and for every qualified vote, ECN will donate £1 to Polar Citizen Science Collective, a UK non-profit working to protect the polar regions through collaboration and collective knowledge.

ECN CEO and co-founder, Akvile Marozaite, said: “This year’s programme reflects how far expedition cruising has evolved. Today’s travel professionals need much more than product knowledge. They need confidence, expertise and a deep understanding of the experiences, destinations and trends shaping our sector.

“This is where I believe the value of ECN Conference really comes into its own. It’s not just a travel trade event, it’s a professional and industry development platform designed to inspire new ideas, encourage collaboration and give delegates highly relevant and practical knowledge they can take straight back into their businesses.”