Leaders will each serve two-year terms integral to CLIA’s North America Travel Trade members
Cruise Lines International Association, the world’s largest cruise industry trade association, providing a unified voice and leading authority of the global cruise community announced the appointment of four leaders to helm its Strategic Trade Advisory and Review Board (STARBoard) and Trade Relations Committee (TRC) in North America.
Anita Pagliasso, Vice President of Industry Relations with KHM Travel Group, and Skip Fortier, Vice President of Network Expansion with Avoya Travel, will serve as STARBoard co-chairs. Dondra Ritzenthaler, ECC, Senior Vice President of Sales, Trade Support & Service, The Americas with Celebrity Cruises, will serve as TRC chair, and John Diorio, Vice President, North American Sales with Virgin Voyages, will serve as TRC vice-chair. The two-year terms for the four leaders will run through December 31, 2024.
The STARBoard and TRC are steering committees. The STARBoard is comprised of CLIA Premier Member (agency and consortia) leaders and leaders from selected CLIA Travel Agency Members. The TRC is comprised of trade sales and marketing leaders representing CLIA’s Global Cruise Line Members and River Cruise Marketing Affiliates. Both groups receive regular updates from CLIA on its advocacy work, industry affairs, and North America Travel Trade Membership and Professional Development matters. The STARBoard and TRC provide CLIA leadership with counsel and support of initiatives; and create task forces as deemed appropriate.
“CLIA is delighted to have these dynamic and talented leaders helming our STARBoard and TRC,” said Charles Sylvia, ECC, Vice President, Industry and Trade Relations with CLIA. “Anita, Skip, Dondra, and John are unwavering advocates of the travel trade and staunch supporters of a strong and successful travel agency distribution channel for cruise.”
