Meet the Destinations & Market Place
October 21
Event Sold Out – Registrations Closed
Connecting Communities and Cruise Operators
Meet the Destinations kicks off Arctic Cruise Week and offers a golden opportunity for cruise operators, local representatives, and stakeholders to connect directly. The event creates space for dialogue, relationship-building, and shared understanding.
The day also features AECO’s Market Place, where members and stakeholders showcase products, services, and initiatives related to Arctic expedition cruising.
Join us to connect, exchange ideas, and explore new opportunities for collaboration across the industry.
Program
08:30
Set Up for Market Place
09:00
Registration
09:30
Networking Breakfast
10:45
How to Work with Expedition Cruise Operators?
Laura Macfarlane | Lindblad Expeditions
Michaela Sauer | Silversea
Annika Rautiola | Ponant
12:00
Lunch
13:00
Market Place
15:00
Coffee Break
15:10
Panel: From Challenges to Solutions – Collaborative Approaches
Anita Elefsen, Marketing Manager | Port of Siglufjörður
Eva Britt Kornfeldt, Project Manager | Svalbard Cruise Forum
Taatsi Fleischer, Destination Manager | Destination Arctic Circle
Mariah Erkloo, Engagement Manager | Oxen Network
15:50
Closing Remarks
Peter Garapick, Director of External Relations, Quark Expeditions
EC Member
16:00
Closing Mingle
Sponsored by COOP Svalbard
19:00
Informal Get-Together at Brødrene Bergh
Confirmed Exhibitors
DMC Nordic
DMC NORDIC is a destination management company with a team of local specialists and offices throughout Scandinavia and the Baltic region.
Port of Sauðárkrókur
Sauðárkrókur Port is a smaller port suitable for smaller vessels, suitable for vessels up to 250m alongside and 8m draft.
Ship to Shore
Ship To Shore Traveler is specialized in providing expedition clothing and equipment for professional and amateur travelers.
Fleetrange
Fleetrange develops operational database solutions, including innovative IoT system and electronic logbooks for ships and operators.
ERSA
The Expedition Readiness & Safety Academy provides training and techniques to operate in polar bear environments.
Expedition Guide Academy
The Expedition Guide Academy delivers training, education and development for the expedition cruise industry.
Visit Svalbard
Longyearbyen’s association for the tourism industry, Visit Svalbard, with over 70 members.
Pure Arctic
Pure Arcitc offers foods direct from the Arctic and North Atlantic region.
Visit North Iceland
Visit North Iceland promotes North Iceland, an area with a population of 36.000, including Akureyri, the largest town outside Reykjavík.
Vela Greenland
Vela Greenland design tailor-made shore excursion programmes that reflect your company’s focus, concept, and specific needs.
Greenland Cruises
Greenland Cruises offer private and cruise ship tours for guests seeking an adventure on the pristine waters of Greenland.
Backcountry Greenland
The SHOREX department is specialized in cruise tourism including shore excursions.
Visit Reykjanes
Visit Reykjanes is the official destination marketing and management organization for Reykjanes and the UNESCO Global Geopark.
Serano Boat Tours
Serano Boat Tours is a local company based in Nanortalik, offering tours for cruise passengers, including Fjord excursions and whale safaris.
Nonni Travel
Nonni Travel have offered port agent services and shore excursion programs since 1996 in Greenland, Iceland and the Faroe Islands..
Tirso Techwear
Tirso Techwear is an Italian company that supplies products specifically designed for
cruise staff and passengers.
Pole Position Logistics
Pole Position Logistics is a freight forwarder, ship agent and logistics coordinator based in Longyearbyen, Svalbard.
Glimpses from Meet the Destinations and Market Place, 2024.
Last update: 20. October 2025