The photos are back and it’s official – we all had a blast at Cruise Ship Interiors (CSI) Design Expo Americas 2024! As the only event dedicated to the niche cruise interiors industry, CSI Design Expo Americas brings together delegates from cruise lines, design firms, outfitters, shipyards, forward-thinking suppliers, and more. As the cruise interiors industry is driven by community and collaboration, CSI offers a wide variety of networking opportunities, and this year was no exception. CSI Design Expo Americas 2024 boasted its largest array of networking opportunities yet. Read on for our round-up of the social side of CSI, from yoga to speed networking, and catch up on everything you missed.
Smooth tunes and Miami mingling
Before the Miami Beach Convention Center even opened its doors, delegates took to the New World Center on 5 June for the official CSI Opening Party, sponsored by Andriali Contract, Global Marine Travel & MJM Marine. As the cruise interiors community’s unofficial annual Miami get-together, this was one of the trade show’s biggest events. Attendees dressed to impress to make new connections, try delicious drinks, and enjoy a performance from Julio Iglesias Jr under a Miami sunset glow.
Sunrise starts
Across both days, many delegates gathered bright and early for the various sunrise networking sessions CSI hosted as part of the CSI Wellness program. Throughout the event, attendees could greet the sun in morning rooftop yoga sessions, try out Miami breathwork and take the plunge in ice baths, or get some extra steps in while taking part in a Sunrise Netwalking session along the seafront. Alternatively, those wanting to kickstart their day with a rush of energy enjoyed adrenaline and sea views during a CSI Rise ‘n’ Run across Miami South Beach.
CSI opens its doors
On Thursday morning at 10am, delegates gathered bright and early for the opening of CSI Design Expo Americas 2024. Together, Elite Exhibitions CEO Toby Walters and the CSI Advisory Board opened the cruise trade show with a CSI yearly tradition, the official ribbon cutting ceremony. Steel drum beats accompanied this celebration and welcomed delegates as they stepped into CSI Design Expo Americas 2024 for the first time.
Lunches, learning and linking up
Throughout the exhibition, the new Attractions & Entertainment Technology (A&ET) zone buzzed with activity as delegates tested out attractions, uncovered new entertainment trends, and sourced for upcoming projects. However, this wasn’t just the place for uncovering innovations. During the show, the A&ET zone hosted two lunch events across both days of CSI. Taking place on day one was the Attractions & Entertainment Networking Lunch. Connections were made and business cards were exchanged while delegates enjoyed a delicious spread.
On the second day of CSI, the A&ET zone was buzzing as many visitors and exhibitors gathered for the second lunch session, the Lunch & Learn hosted by Celebrity Cruises. Those in attendance journeyed through the evolution of cruise attractions and entertainment technology, as speakers guided them from the company’s past to the present. Attendees even enjoyed an exclusive sneak peek into Celebrity Beyond’s transformative entertainment theatre. This was followed by a Q&A session, where the suppliers and designers posed their most pressing questions, covering a range of topics, from design inspirations to up and coming attractions trends. After an insightful session, delegates tucked into a delicious lunch spread while mingling with the most innovative cruise attractions and entertainment suppliers.
Speed Networking
Across both days of the cruise trade show, industry buyers shopped products and services for their upcoming projects in four fast-paced Speed Networking sessions. In these events, cruise interior suppliers pitched their best products and services in a round of quickfire introductions to industry buyers from cruise lines and design firms. Tailored matches ensured that many valuable connections were made across these speedy sessions. One specialised session matched decision makers and suppliers within the growing area of cruise attractions and entertainment technology.
Evening celebrations
With so much excitement taking place across both days of CSI, the show itineraries made some room for fun and relaxation at show close. To close day one, attendees took the opportunity to unwind at the popular CSI Happy Hour Drinks, hosted by Almaco, Somec Group, Greenhouse Fabrics, and Aros Marine. Delegates took to the HRDS lounge to raise a toast to a successful first day, catch up with colleagues, and make evening plans. With delicious drinks, smooth DJ-spun beats, great company, photo opportunities, and even a caricature artist, it was a great celebration marking the start of CSI 2024!
However, the first day of fun didn’t stop there, invited delegates took to the Moxy Miami South Beach for the CSI After Hours to continue their celebrations. Movers and shakers of the cruise interiors industry connected with colleagues new and old alike at this exclusive event.
CSI comes to a close
After an action-packed week, CSI Design Expo Americas 2024 came to a close at the end of day two with the Showstopper’s Drinks Reception. Attendees gathered for one last hurrah at the Cruise & Ferry Interiors VIP Lounge.
Thank you to all who attended Cruise Ship Interiors Design Expo Americas 2024 and made it the great triumph that it was. We look forward to seeing you next year on 3 – 4 June 2025. Can’t wait that long? Find out more about Cruise Ship Interiors Design Expo Europe, taking place 4 – 5 December 2024, here.
Want more of this?
Check out the Cruise Ship Interiors (CSI) Design Expo Americas blog for more design insights and the latest industry updates. CSI Design Expo Americas is the world’s only exhibition and conference exclusively dedicated to connecting the buyers and suppliers of the cruise design industry. The next event will be taking place on 3 – 4 June 2025 alongside Hotel & Resort Design South and Cruise Xperience Innovation Summit at the Miami Beach Convention Center.