Last week we revealed that theICEway will have a stand at Seatrade Cruise Global in April. This week, we talk to Lois Patient, Executive Assistant to the Founders, about her role in helping to bring our local company to the (literal) global stage…
theICEway ecosystem
Over the last few years theICEway ecosystem of companies has enjoyed a huge amount of growth and expansion, and in 2020 it is set to journey even further, with a number of exciting announcements to be made – starting with the news that we will be at Seatrade Global in Miami, with our very own booth (#2215). With just under 2 months left to prepare, we thought it would be interesting to focus on the logistics behind such an endeavour…
Lois, how exciting is it to know that theICEway has a booth at such a huge event in the cruise industry calendar?
It’s very exciting and it is certainly one illustration as to how much progress the team has made, although it must be said that we are sharing the booth with our good friends at Getslash. Over the years we have built up some great partnerships and we are delighted to be sharing with them.
What has been the most challenging aspect of bringing this all together?
I think the logistics involved have made for an interesting challenge but fortunately we are lucky to be working with some truly talented people behind-the-scenes. I’ve been liaising with Christina at Getslash in Germany for example, who has been absolutely brilliant, and between us we have been in contact with the fantastic Seatrade Global team in the US. On top of that, there are also a number of different production and design elements here in the UK that I’m in the process of sourcing different materials from.
That does sound like a challenge…
It has been and still is, but the end result is definitely going to be worthwhile.
I’m sure; what has been the most exciting / fun part so far?
I don’t want to reveal too much at this stage because we are still planning, but there will be a couple of elements you will see at Seatrade Global that are definitely new, and which are pretty big steps for the company. Which in itself is very exciting!
Can you tell us anything at all about these ‘elements’?
Not just yet, but soon… It will be worth the wait!
Tell us a little more about the preparations you are making for Seatrade Global.
It’s a large undertaking as you can imagine; we’ve got to make sure that we have enough people to man the stand, plus we need to have everything planned correctly in order to avoid any potential issues ‘on the day’, as it were. We need to reach out to the right people at the right time, so that there is a good level of awareness for us being at the event, and that takes a lot of work with different platforms and systems – so we’re back to the logistics of it all, effectively.
Is it fair to say that in your opinion, that is the least fun part of the process?
Possibly, although the paperwork and documentation involved is never going to be something you look forward to!
You’ve alluded to there being some rather important / exciting things in store for the people visiting stand #2215 at Seatrade Global in April; can you expand upon that even a little?
We have always spent time discussing theICEway with our clients and our partners, and we have tried to use those discussions to help us shape and craft our brand in the best way possible, so that it truly is everything that they need it to be and more. In the last couple of years, we have really discovered a lot more about our identity, with the teams here in the UK, in the US, in Europe and in Australia all providing their input. Without going into detail, we are going to be revealing a ‘fresh’ side to theICEway… And as cruise specialists, we thought that Seatrade Cruise Global would make the most appropriate setting for that.
Cryptic…
You’ll just have to pop by the stand to see for yourself!
As will everybody else! Any final words on the event or theICEway?
We’re very excited about the event and if there is anyone out there attending who would like to make an appointment in advance with us, they are more than welcome to contact me. We are delighted to have a number of travellers who have already joined theICEway, and we are looking forward to welcoming even more on board!
You can email Lois here, or you can use our promo code INV20ICEWAY for a FREE expo pass / an extra 10% off a conference / VIP pass… See you in Miami!
Best regards from theICEway…
theICEway, working with your IT Teams to deliver:
Technology Projects | Cloud Strategy | Application Managed Service
Glossary
Getslash – An international technology company that provides cruise guests with personalised experiences on board cruise ships.
Seatrade Cruise Global – The leading annual B2B event for the global cruise industry
theICEway
(ICE Technology Services, CRIBB Cyber Security, eTestware, AIVR Labs)
CLIA Executive Partner Technology Initiative – An advisory council for the Cruise Lines International Association, with a focus on using technology to solve challenges to the cruise industry
Top Tip
Co-founder and CEO of theICEway, Ian Richardson, who is also Chair for the CLIA Executive Partner Technology Initiative, will be presiding over a ‘Tech Talk’ at Seatrade Global on Wednesday 22nd April. “Optimising Communications” will see panellists Jean Lois Cambert (Ponant), Daniele Buonaiuto (MSC Cruises), Richard McKinney (RebelRoam) and Nick Pietrocarlo (Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd.) discussing points including:
How to improve passenger / crew Wi-Fi experience without changing VSAT / Cellular; how to manage expedition cruisers who beam back activities from land; the best practices for onboard entertainment in cabin or meeting areas.
Head to Room 201 / 202 between 2:30 and 3:15 pm on April 22nd for that!
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