The New Zealand Cruise Association has named a second round of speakers for its 13 August conference at Auckland's Shed 10, including Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown, Royal Caribbean Group's Josh Dolgoy and Tourism New Zealand chief executive Rene de Monchy. Run under the theme 'From No New Zealand to New Zealand', the event is focused on winning back cruise-line deployment after several softer seasons. Association chief executive Jacqui Lloyd described the line-up as one of the strongest yet.
The New Zealand Cruise Association has confirmed a further group of speakers and panellists for its 2026 conference, to be held at Shed 10 on Auckland's Queens Wharf on 13 August, Seatrade Cruise News reported on 28 July 2026.
The newly announced names include Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown; Josh Dolgoy, the Royal Caribbean Group's head of government relations for Oceania; Tourism New Zealand chief executive Rene de Monchy; Ben Richardson of Dan-Bunkering; Christchurch destinations and experience manager Patrick O'Sullivan; CentrePort Wellington's Andrew Locke; and Gavin Oliver of Ecozip Adventures. They join a first group headed by Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston.
The conference carries the theme 'From No New Zealand to New Zealand' and is oriented around rebuilding confidence and winning back cruise-line deployment after a run of weaker seasons. Association chief executive Jacqui Lloyd was reported as describing the programme as one of the strongest yet and the gathering as a must-attend event for anyone with a stake in the sector's future.
Source: Seatrade Cruise News, 28 July 2026 - https://www.seatrade-cruise.com/people-opinions/more-speakers-panellists-for-new-zealand-s-cruise-conference