Officials at the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) and UBM International, the organizers of Cruise Shipping Miami, the international cruise industry’s largest annual exhibition and conference, have welcomed the decision by Governor Sean Parnell of Alaska to address the conference.

Parnell is scheduled to speak at the State of the Industry plenary session in the Miami Convention Center before more than1,500 representatives of all segments of the industry. Last year, the Governor attended Cruise Shipping Miami at the request of Alaskan businesses to discuss steps the state could take to gain back business. Following his attendance at Cruise Shipping Miami in 2010, Governor Parnell worked to address numerous industry concerns in regards to cruise operations in Alaska. Within a month of the conference, the Governor successfully worked with the state legislature to lower the cruise passenger head tax and significantly increased funding for tourism promotion.

“We are delighted and appreciative that Governor Parnell will participate in Cruise Shipping Miami once again. Since last year’s conference he has amply demonstrated his support for the travel industry in general and cruising in particular and we look forward to continuing to work with him and his administration to further develop a mutually beneficial business environment in his great state,” said Christine Duffy, CLIA’s president and CEO.

“Governor Parnell’s appearance at Cruise Shipping Miami demonstrates the importance of coming together as an industry to gain a fuller understanding of this increasingly complex global business, ,” agreed Michael Kazakoff, vice president of UBM Live. John Binkley, president of the Alaska Cruise Association, added: “We sincerely appreciate Governor Parnell’s interest in learning about our industry and his commitment to improve the business climate in Alaska. His attendance again this year is reflective of his strong support for our industry and his long-term commitment to make Alaska an attractive place to operate.”