The 27th annual Cruise Shipping Miami Convention closed March 17 after attracting 979 exhibiting companies and 11,000 attendees from March 14 to 17. UBM Live, the event organizers, reported a 1 percent increase in attendance over 2010. The tone of the conference and trade show was upbeat, with the theme of the cruise industry’s resiliency emerging during the opening session and continuing through panel discussions on such topics as Europe, luxury cruising, the next hot source markets and the future of cruising in Mexico and Asia.

The week began with the second annual CSM Charity Motorcycle Ride, with more than 50 riders helping to raise awareness and money for Seafarers House in Fort Lauderdale. The ride raised $4,350 for Seafarer's House, which serves crewmembers on cruise and cargo ships calling at Port Everglades.

CSM 2011 concluded the night of March 17 with the FCCA Gala of senior cruise line executives and key suppliers. The gala, which supports FCCA’s Foundation for the Caribbean, raises money for a number of charitable causes in the Caribbean and Central America. The 28th annual Cruise Shipping Miami Convention is scheduled for March 12 to 15, 2012, at the Miami Beach Convention Center. For more information, visit www.cruiseshippingmiami.com.