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Welcome Message
Michele M. Paige CEO, Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association
Thank you for joining us tonight in what strikes a personal note with me, as this exclusive, executive-packed event represents something truly special beyond the treasure chest of opportunities and surprises. For me, the best part is that this all signifies support for the FCCA Foundation.
Everyone here likely knows some of the ways and hundreds of thousands of underprivileged children that the FCCA Foundation has helped throughout the Caribbean, Mexico and Central America during its more than 25-year history, including the Holiday Gift Project, annual poster and essay competitions, support of schools and orphanages, and so much more.
Now the FCCA Foundation continues to enhance its efforts and revamped focus on building a foundation for youths throughout our partner destinations, with primary identified objectives of education, sports, and career-building opportunities to help them thrive in the present and future.
We at FCCA are beyond grateful for the support that made this possible, from the collaborative partnership with Diamonds International that jumpstarted the Foundation’s relaunch to Port Everglades continuing their legacy of supporting the Foundation as a Partner Sponsor – and of course everyone here tonight is providing vital assistance to the FCCA Foundation.
And this evening is all about embracing not only the worthy cause and continued growth of the Foundation, but also the theme of partnership and working together to reach further mutual understanding and success.
So, without further ado, I want to give another thanks to all here tonight – the true Shining Stars!
The FCCA Foundation
The FCCA Foundation provides a tangible mechanism for the cruise industry to fund a range of humanitarian causes throughout the FCCA’s Caribbean and Latin American partner destinations. Founded in 1995, the Foundation has impacted thousands of citizens by providing supplies, countless hours and aid to causes throughout the regions. In addition to assisting deserving institutions like charities and hospitals and helping after crises like natural disasters, the Foundation executes annual projects, including:
Holiday Gift Project – The FCCA reaches out to many Caribbean and Latin American destinations by providing holiday gifts, festivities and cheer to children in foster homes and institutions that would likely receive nothing otherwise. The presents are delivered to partner destinations on Member Lines’ vessels, and the crew and FCCA associates then distribute the gifts at parties. Over the decades, the Holiday Gift Project has benefited over 100,000 children throughout three dozen destinations.
Children’s Essay and Poster Competitions – The FCCA orchestrates these two competitions to promote education and also let FCCA destination partners’ youth think about the cruise industry’s synergy with their destination and citizens, while also prompting practical problem solving. There are two divisions—junior (12 years and under) and senior (1316)—that each receive 1st-3rd-place prizes of 3,000, 1,500 and 1,000, respectively, for themselves and their schools, along with a $200 award for every finalist submitted by the participating destinations. The first-place recipients also receive functions in their honor.
Additionally, the Foundation works with destinations to ascertain and meet their needs as they become applicable. Past examples include:
• Donated hurricane relief supplies in Dominica, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
• Donated incubators and air conditioners for schools, hospitals and orphanages in Colombia.
• Donated air conditioners, along with stoves and laundry machines for vocation training, to an at-risk youth center in Panama.
• Donated computers to schools in Guatemala.
• Donated school supplies to Jamaica and St. Lucia.
• Donated wood to fix homes in Belize.
• Donated paint for beautification projects in Belize, Costa Rica and Jamaica.
• Provided cots, water and canned goods via Member Line vessels for disaster relief.
• Cleaned streets as part of hurricane relief in Cozumel, Mexico.
• Orchestrated specialized holiday projects in Cozumel to provide 1,000 bicycles over a two-year span, which afforded transportation to underprivileged children.
• Funded schools and colleges in various destinations.
• Established a tourism school in St. Lucia.
• Launched the Owen Arthur Scholarship Fund.
Event Sponsors
Feature Sponsor: Diamonds International
The event and relaunch of the FCCA Foundation has been supported by a new collaborative partnership with Diamonds International. As part of the partnership, both entities are combining their resources, especially on the focus of direct contact with local communities to determine needs and ways to help that can generate long-term benefits.
Partner Sponsor: Port Everglades
Port Everglades, Florida’s Powerhouse Global Gateway, again showed it is a powerhouse in its support for the FCCA Foundation. This continues its tradition of serving as a Partner Sponsor for previous events to support the Foundation’s efforts.
Branding Promotional Sponsor
Rodman Think Branding LLC
Table Sponsors
Aviomar
Bahamas Ministry of Tourism
Café Azul
Chukka Caribbean Ltd.
Effy Jewelry
PortMiami
Port St. Maarten
Tura Turizm
Presidential Table Hosts
Gus Antorcha, President, Princess Cruises
Michael Bayley, President & Chief Executive Officer, Royal Caribbean International
Beth Bodensteiner, President, Holland America Line
Christine Duffy, President, Carnival Cruise Line
Felix Eichhorn, President, AIDA
Dan Farkas, EVP, General Council & Chief Development Officer, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd.
Chris Ivy, Chief Executive Officer, Margaritaville at Sea
Paul Ludlow, President, Carnival UK
Tom McAlpin, Chairman of the Board, Virgin Voyages
Rick Sasso, Chairman, MSC Cruises USA
Mark Tamis, President, Seabourn
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