MIRAMAR – The Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA), the commerce affiliation that represents the mutual pursuits of locations and stakeholders all through the Caribbean, Mexico and Central America together with Member Traces that function over 90 p.c of the worldwide cruising capability, introduced that Marie McKenzie, Senior Vice President of Authorities & Vacation spot Affairs for Carnival Company, has been appointed the Chair of the FCCA Operations Committee.
McKenzie’s appointment, following unanimous approval by the Operations Committee, is Carnival Company’s nomination for this rotating place which modifications each two years to make sure all FCCA Member Traces have illustration. She succeeds Daniel S. Farkas, Govt Senior Vice President and Basic Counsel of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. (NCLH), who will proceed to serve on the Committee.
Marie McKenzie – FCCA Operations Committee Chair
“I’m honored to step into the position of FCCA Operations Committee Chair and sit up for the following two years of collaboration and progress,” mentioned McKenzie. “I need to thank Dan for his distinctive management and steering, and I’m proud to be the primary girl to carry this place.” Having labored carefully with the committee members, she understands that this position requires greater than merely occupying a seat; “it’s about motion, engagement and collective effort.”
“I invite all members to contribute their concepts, help, and partnership to drive significant influence within the area. I’m desirous to work collectively to serve and strengthen our cruise tourism group,” she said.
A Visionary Position with Clear Tasks
As Chair, McKenzie will lead initiatives equivalent to month-to-month conferences open to the committee and FCCA companions, in addition to on-line and in-person conferences with locations and stakeholders. Her duties embrace main website visits, city corridor conferences and product evaluations, and educating private and non-private sector companions.
She’s going to lead discussions and workshops throughout annual FCCA occasions, together with the PAMAC Cruise Summit, which occurred aboard MSC Divina (January 6-10), the upcoming PAMAC Summit in Aruba (June 18-20), and the FCCA Cruise Convention & Commerce Present – the area’s official cruise convention and commerce present – which can return to San Juan, Puerto Rico this fall (October 20-24).
McKenzie’s management will advance the Committee’s core rules, specializing in tourism improvement, port operations, security and safety, and fostering a deeper understanding of the cruise business and its practices. Moreover, she goals to construct bilateral relationships with associate vacation spot stakeholders to generate elevated financial alternatives for ports and locations and improve the vacation spot expertise.
Michele Paige, CEO of FCCA, underscored McKenzie’s alignment with the Committee’s targets: “I’m humbled by the continued dedication of FCCA Member Line executives and their dedication to our mission of strengthening mutual understanding and success with locations and stakeholders. I imagine that trigger speaks personally to Marie, a Caribbean nationwide and self-described ‘island girl’ and her perspective will steer us to a fair brighter future for all.”
Marie McKenzie: A Profession of Excellence
Marie McKenzie brings over 29 years of cruise business expertise to her management position. She started her profession at Carnival Company & plc in 1996, serving in progressively senior roles. In the present day, as Sr. Vice President, Authorities and Vacation spot Affairs, she oversees the corporate’s largest cruise market, the Caribbean, in strategic engagement alternatives with authorities, regional and area people organizations. Her work impacts over 27 international locations and 57 ports, welcoming 10 million cruise company yearly.
Beforehand, McKenzie served as Vice President of World Locations, Companies & Sourcing, the place she managed sourcing processes and relationships with tour operators and port companies officers in over 720 ports worldwide. Earlier in her profession, she excelled as Vice President of World Monetary Planning and Evaluation, steering strategic company initiatives and main advanced monetary processes for Carnival Company’s eight cruise manufacturers.
Earlier than becoming a member of the company crew, McKenzie supported the Carnival Cruise Line model in numerous roles, together with her first appointment as vp, the place she led monetary operations onboard the model’s 22-ship fleet.
McKenzie’s profession started outdoors the cruise business with Arthur Andersen LLP in Washington, DC. The Jamaican native earned her bachelor’s diploma in accounting (cum laude) from Howard College and her grasp’s diploma in worldwide enterprise (cum laude) from Florida Worldwide College.
