Live Update: Rough Drafts and Influential Might
Yesterday, the Confidence Live event took place, with a focus on the importance of people in delivering exceptional service and creating lasting brand experiences onboard cruise ships. The event, hosted by Pixie Polite and Professor Doctor Kieran Fenby-Hulse, underscored that success in the industry relies heavily on exceptional people-driven service, sustained market optimism, and personalized guest experiences.
Nicola Griffiths, a notable speaker at the event, discussed the role of executive function in our daily lives. She introduced the concept of Ideal, Fall-back, and Bare minimum plans, emphasizing the importance of preparation and avoiding setting goals for a future version of oneself. Another key takeaway from her talk was the importance of activation before motivation when starting something.
In between sessions, conversations felt powerful, including soft ones and scrappy ones. Kira Matthews, another speaker, encouraged questioning assumptions and suggested asking someone else to reframe a question. Desree's poetry, described as a heartbeat, soft yet insistent, added a thoughtful and emotional dimension to the event. A line from her poem about odd jobs was remembered: "call it a halo."
The event was not just about confidence on the stage, but also in shared stories and connections. The author ended the day with drinks and laughter in the company of Pixie and Kieran, and left the event with a full heart, a mess of scribbles, and a steadier kind of confidence. Sue Perkins closed the event with a warm, witty, and slightly weird closing speech, leaving attendees with a memorable ending to a thought-provoking day.
Overall, the Confidence Live event served as a platform for industry professionals to share insights and inspire one another, while also reflecting a strong market confidence within the cruise industry, particularly centered on the US market's continued growth opportunities. The event underscored the importance of personalization and storytelling, with cruise operators recognizing that guests increasingly desire experiences tailored to their individual vacations.
- At the Confidence Live event, discussions expanded beyond just cruise service to include various aspects of lifestyle, such as fashion-and-beauty tips, food-and-drink pairings, and home-and-garden design ideas for creating personalized guest experiences.
- In the midst of the event, attendees also explored the realm of relationships, as Kira Matthews encouraged questioning assumptions and encouraging dialogue for stronger connections.
- Travel opportunities were not overlooked, as aspirational destinations were spoken about during the event, illustrating how personalized experiences can extend to visitors' vacation plans and shopping choices.
