FCCA Staff Profiles James Kazakoff~ Sr. Director, Event Operations James Kazakoff currently holds the position of Senior Director of Event Operations at the FloridaCaribbean Cruise Association. He is responsible for overseeing the implementation and logistical aspects of all FCCA events, including the organization of the FCCA Cruise Conference and Tradeshow. This entails daily management of sales and quotas, press and media coverage and the organization of all Platinum events throughout the calendar year. His main objective is to develop and implement new strategies and business for the FCCA and to manage the marketing, sales and operations aspects of all events. James works closely with FCCA Associate and Platinum Members to help support and meet their cruise industry goals. Prior to accepting his position at the FCCA, Mr. Kazakoff founded and operated Private Group NYC. What began as a marketing and promotional company involved in the production of high-end entertainment and fashion events at various venues throughout New York City later extended to the cruise shipping industry. Eventually Mr. Kazakoff began handling operations for a diverse portfolio of events at United Business Media, notably, the worlds largest cruise shipping event Cruise Shipping Miami-that eventually led him to his current position with the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association. James has 7+ years experience in the media/event industry. James currently resides in the Brickell neighborhood of Miami, FL.
Jessica Lalama ~ Executive Assistant Born in California and raised in Ecuador, Mrs. Lalama worked in the hotel industry with Marriott Hotels before joining the FCCA in 2007. She is the executive assistant to the President, Michele M. Paige, and therefore responsible for the day-to-day liaison with all private and public sector partners for the FCCA. She also assists in the coordination and promotion of the FCCA Foundation Essay Competition and the FCCA Foundation Donation Program for the Caribbean and Latin America, along with organizing the vessel deployment for FCCA’s Member Lines. Jessica lives in Plantation, Florida with her husband Raphael and son Martin.
Justin Paige ~ Manager, Communications, Research & Marketing Justin Paige assists in day-to-day operations and FCCA publications, such as Cruising Magazine, Highlights Issue and the membership directory, along with overseeing the development of press releases and other distributed material. He also constantly serves to foster communication between the FCCA and its members; and has undertaken the research department, in which he keeps contact with the Member Lines and port authorities to derive and provide up-to-date data about cruise ship calls, port fees and other imperative information. Before joining the FCCA, Justin produced freelance articles for various publications over a fiveyear span and earned his bachelor of arts in English from Florida State University. He resides in the Miami, FL area.
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CRUISE INDUSTRY PROFILES