The cruise industry's chief trade group, Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), is consolidating its two offices into one, it announced yesterday.
CLIA currently has offices in Arlington, VA, and Fort Lauderdale, FL. In mid-January, it will close both locations and move into a new headquarters in Washington, DC.
"With the globalization of CLIA, we have added new capabilities and expanded our resources into various parts of the world to support a growing cruise industry," CLIA President and CEO Christine Duffy said in a statement.
Because of Arlington's proximity to Washington, all staff at the CLIA Arlington office will relocate to the association's new headquarters. Staff at the CLIA Fort Lauderdale office will remain in place until spring, at which point some staffers will relocate. Others will work remotely from Florida, and still others will transition out of the association entirely.
"I have a great appreciation and regard for our Fort Lauderdale team and their dedication to our members," Duffy continued. "CLIA will be providing support to them throughout this transition."
To assist with the consolidation, Duffy has hired Cindy D'Aoust, former COO of Meeting Professionals International (MPI), as executive vice president of membership and operations. She will be in charge of managing and expanding the functions previously based in Fort Lauderdale.
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