Specialist, Trade Events & Programs

Overview

The Trade Events & Program Specialist supports the strategy, planning, execution, and post‑event analysis for programs and events supporting the Travel Agent distribution channel and the Sales & Trade Marketing teams at Carnival Cruise Line. This role is responsible for designing and delivering exceptional trade-facing experiences that strengthen brand affinity, enhance product knowledge, and drive engagement across the agent community. Programs and events vary annually and may include trade shows, partner conferences, inaugural ship events, familiarization cruises, city roadshows, & onboard B2B programming (i.e., Ship tours & Seminars at Sea).

The specialist typically manages 50+ programs and events each year, ensuring each initiative aligns with business objectives, delivers operational excellence, and reflects Carnival’s brand standards.

• Support program planning and execution for assigned trade sales programs and event experiences. Assist in developing project plans and coordinating event activities to ensure smooth delivery. Responsibilities include scheduling, managing food and beverage approvals, organizing event agendas, and coordinating giveaways and promotional items, including vendor communication, shipping, and fulfillment under established guidelines.
• Assist in implementing program strategies for assigned trade events and experiences under established direction. Contribute to defining participation criteria, supporting communication plans, and maintaining rollout timelines to ensure alignment with overall program objectives.
• Develop full presentations for trade events. Work with senior executives to gather content, modify and version as necessary for various audience groups at in-person or virtual based events/programs. Understand business operations adequately to write presentation content for various guest speakers.
• Support Director with sourcing hotels/venues and other vendors (for Shoreside events) and Shipboard teams (for Shipboard events) for all event elements including A/V, Banquet, F&B, rooms, collateral, transportations, restaurants, entertainment and others as necessary. Work with Director to develop and finalize contract between vendor and Carnival. Handle all advance preparation and onsite event logistics for shipboard and/or hotel planning including communications, scheduling, and event mechanics;
  Lead the planning and execution of Trade Sales attendance at Events throughout the year.
• Track individual event expenses. Work alongside Sr Specialist on budget documents and optimize expenses within budget to deliver exceptional events.
• Manage end to end communications process with invited participants for events under Specialist’s portfolio. Includes oversight of invitation, RSVP, pre-event, and post-event communications.
• Lead onsite event/program execution for Specialist portfolio. Manage all vendors and support program components and that all content is delivered to the audience as planned in the project plan.

• Scope:
  Oversees a large portfolio of trade-focused programs and events, managing every phase through onsite execution and post‑program evaluation. The role partners closely with Sales, Trade Marketing, Shipboard Operations, Creative Services, and external vendors to design high‑impact experiences that educate and engage the travel agent community. Responsibilities span project management, venue selection, budget tracking, presentation development, communications, and logistics. The specialist works autonomously to deliver multiple concurrent programs in fast‑paced environments and ensures alignment with broader organizational goals and leadership expectations.
• Problem Solving:
  This role requires strong critical thinking and support decision‑making across a diverse set of operational challenges. The specialist must balance tight timelines, shifting priorities, and varying stakeholder needs while ensuring flawless program delivery. Complex problems include selecting and sourcing venues, managing budgets, aligning event agendas with leadership priorities, resolving onsite logistical issues, and ensuring content accuracy for…