Cruise Lines International Association Names Terry L. Dale President and Chief Executive Officer.

Business Editors/Travel Writers

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 5, 2004

The Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) has named Terry L. Dale as its new president and chief executive officer effective Jan. 12, 2004. In his new position, Dale will direct CLIA's extensive marketing and travel agent communications and education programs serving the rapidly growing North American cruise industry.

Dale comes to CLIA following an outstanding 18-year career in association management and tourism development. He most recently served as executive vice president of NYC & Company, the convention and visitors bureau of New York City.

Dale assumes CLIA's leadership at a time when the leisure cruise industry, buoyed by the efforts of retail travel agents, is poised for strong growth. Approximately 9.6 million vacationers opted for a cruise in 2003. The industry has maintained an 8.4 percent passenger growth rate since 1980 and in 2002 generated $20.4 billion in economic activity within the United States - nearly a 10 percent increase from 2001 - according to a study by Business Research and Economic Advisors (BREA).

"Terry brings invaluable experience and a fresh perspective to CLIA's management team," said CLIA Chairman Mark Conroy, who is also president of Radisson Seven Seas Cruises. "His appointment reflects the cruise industry's commitment to CLIA's future and confirms organizational goals to look for new and innovative ways to promote cruising while further strengthening the partnership between our industry and the agent community. We additionally look forward to developing strong partnerships with other travel industry groups."

"I am honored to join CLIA at this crucial period for the industry, which is embarking on a future of continued growth through a lasting partnership between our cruise-line members and the North American agent community," said Dale. "I look forward to working with this talented group to further strengthen CLIA as a dynamic and vital association."

Dale's appointment culminates an organizational restructuring and strategic review of CLIA launched in mid-2002. Bob Sharak, the association's vice president of marketing, took on additional internal management responsibilities to lead CLIA through this process, and will continue his key role in the association as executive vice president, chief marketing officer.

"The CLIA member committees and the entire CLIA staff have done an incredible job during this transition, continuing the association's tradition of fine service," said Conroy. "We think Terry and Bob will form a strong team to take CLIA to unprecedented levels of success."

Prior to joining NYC & Company in 1998, Dale served on the NYC 2008 Olympic Organizing Committee and as president of the Greater Providence Convention and Visitors Bureau in Providence, R.I. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in American Studies/Political Science/Speech from Coe College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) is a nonprofit marketing and training organization comprising 21 leading cruise lines in 2004, which together accommodate 95 percent of the North American cruise passengers. Approximately 16,000 travel agencies focused and engaged in the sales of cruise vacations in the U.S. and Canada are members of the association. The association conducts cruise industry-related research and communication initiatives to educate and promote the attributes of cruise vacations and CLIA member travel agencies to the traveling public. CLIA is a recognized travel industry leader in sales education. CLIA provides an extensive array of educational programs for travel agents including curriculum leading to certification as Accredited Cruise Counsellors, Master Cruise Counsellors and Elite Cruise Counsellors - considered the consumers' best resource for planning a cruise vacation. For more information on CLIA, its member cruise lines and travel agencies, visit its website at www.cruising.org.