Rimouski, July 11th, 2024 – The three key takeaways to emerge from the annual general meeting of Cruise the Saint Lawrence held on July 4th include as follows: new leadership on course to a sustainable future, robust results for the 2023-2024 financial year and rollout of a triennial strategic plan for the period from 2024 to 2027.
Additionally, changes at the board level will doubtless provide the organization with the agility to navigate the targets agreed for the years ahead. With the support of new officers appointed to the board for a term of two years, the new leadership team will be headed by the new president, Marie-Andrée Blanchet, who is Director, Cruise Development and Business Ecosystem at the Port of Québec.
Recent appointments further include:
- Priscilla Nemey, Director General of Promotion Saguenay, re-elected as treasurer;
- Odessa Thériault, Director General of the Port of Havre-Saint-Pierre, re-elected as secretary; and,
- Philippe Bertout, Director of Grand Quay and Cruise Development at the Port of Montréal, elected as a director.
Readers will note that Suzanne Cassista, Station Manager at Destination Sept-Îles Nakauinanu, is commencing the second year of her two-year term as a director.
The new board of directors wishes to underscore the inestimable contribution of outgoing president Yves Gilson to whom Cruise the Saint Lawrence owes its excellent financial position and solid team of committed individuals well poised to successfully fulfil the association’s mission.
Ambitious and sustainable strategic plan
Cruise the Saint Lawrence seized the occasion of this year’s annual general meeting to present the organization’s strategic plan for the next three years. The plan builds on four key thrusts intended to foster sustainable economic development for the international cruise sector and support a collective ambition to transform the Saint Lawrence into an exemplary, sustainable destination.
The three-year ambitions of Cruise the Saint Lawrence reflect the ideals set out for the upcoming years:
Industry leader recognized for sector-specific expertise and proactively promoting port of call offerings to cruise lines operating or potentially operating in the region, Cruise the Saint Lawrence seeks to transform the Saint Lawrence into an exemplary destination where all players operate in accordance with the principles of sustainable development. Cruise the Saint Lawrence further commits to cooperating with all stakeholders poised to help boost the economic benefits of growth in traffic, while adopting more socially responsible behaviour.
To achieve the goals associated with these ambitions, Cruise the Saint Lawrence enjoys the backing of a permanent team of 5 passionate individuals.
Year of innovation
Cruise the Saint Lawrence is set to reach a milestone in the history of Québec-based cruises with the advent of the destination’s first winter season offerings. In early 2025, Compagnie du Ponant will inaugurate highly anticipated winter cruises with sailings to five Saint Lawrence ports of call, namely Îles-de-la-Madeleine, Gaspé, Sept-Îles, Saguenay and Québec.
The 2024-2025 financial year will also see implementation of the latest iteration of our sustainable Greeting Policy, the object of which is to provide cruise passengers with an irreproachable and sustainable welcome.
Resolutely focused on building on momentum to date and achieving the multiple objectives set out in the association’s strategic plan, while sustainably driving growth and member support, Cruise the Saint Lawrence clearly has the wind in its sails.
About Cruise the Saint Lawrence
Cruise the Saint Lawrence is a sectoral organization which groups together nine ports of call and industry stakeholders along the shores of the Saint Lawrence River. The mission of the organization is to grow cruise market activities in Québec and across Destination Canada New England through the provision of marketing and development services to members. Cruise the Saint Lawrence enjoys the support of partners Tourism Québec, Québec Tourism Industry Alliance and Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada.