MedCruise: Elections and New Responsibilities
Last September 2024, during the 65th General Assembly of MedCruise in Malaga, elections for port representatives took place.
This Association of Mediterranean cruise ports is now present in 22 countries across three different continents. With the start of the new term, new members of the Board of Directors have been elected, taking on new roles and responsibilities.
The recent appointments include Anne Marie Spinosi from Corsica Ports, who has taken on responsibility for PR, Events, and the MedCruise Partnership Program. Laura Cimaglia from the Port of Taranto has become VP of Cruise Community Engagement. Cristina De Gregori from the Port of Genoa/Savona is in charge of Branding, Strategic Communication, and Marketing, while Dario Barbaric from the Port of Dubrovnik/Korcula will oversee Health, Safety, and Security. Among other key assignments, Genoveva Climent from the Port of Tarragona will focus on Destination Development, and Gilson Cruz will handle Regional Development in the Atlantic Region for the Ports of Cape Verde. Additionally, Josko Supe from the Port of Šibenik will supervise Finance and Funding Programs, while Kyriaki Kampana from the Port of Heraklion will lead Professional Development Courses. Lorenzo Vera, representing the Port of Motril-Granada, will focus on Economic Impact Assessment, while Luz Marina Espiau from the Port of Tenerife will be responsible for Digitalization and Innovation. Maria Belkoleva from the Port of Burgas will lead Regional Development in the Black Sea, and Tolga Tuncay from the Port of Galataport, Istanbul, will work on Regional Development in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Red Sea. Finally, Valeria Mangiarotti from the Ports of Sardinia will focus on Sustainability Policies and Environmental Energy. These new assignments reflect an expansion of responsibilities aimed at enhancing port operations and promoting sustainable practices across various regions.
Theodora-Riga-MedCruise
Theodora Riga, the President of MedCruise, was born in 1973 in the USA and holds an MBA in Business Administration. Over the past 20 years, she has held senior executive positions in port, maritime transport, and financial service companies. She herself will seek strategic alliances in addition to her current duties, including collaboration with other Associations, and will also work closely with Serafin Blazquez from Cruise Saudi.
Theodora Riga expressed her satisfaction and honor in working with such an outstanding team of professionals committed to the Association and the entire cruise industry. She emphasized that the group boasts extensive experience and a broad range of skills. With enthusiasm, she stated that she is ready to continue the excellent work carried out by previous leaderships of the Association, aiming to grow and serve its members even more effectively.
BlueMission Med
Sustainability Projects in the Mediterranean Ports
Port & City Connectivity
Specifically, the Board of Directors has expanded by two members, welcoming representatives from the Atlantic region. Consequently, responsibilities have also increased to achieve the Association’s strategic objectives. This expansion will allow some Board members to benefit from the experience and expertise of highly esteemed long-term members. In particular, Valeria Mangiarotti will continue her fruitful collaboration, initiated in the previous term, with Jamil Ouazzani from the Port of Tangier.
In conclusion, the recent appointments within MedCruise’s Board of Directors mark a phase of expansion and development for the Association. With new responsibilities and a growing Board, the aim is to strengthen port operations, enhance international collaboration, and promote sustainability across various regions. The consolidated experience of long-standing members, combined with the expertise of newly appointed officials, will contribute to achieving MedCruise’s strategic goals, furthering the Association’s long-term success and vision.
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