By
Laura Hyde |
The Expedition Cruise Network (ECN) Conference 2026 will include keynote speeches from Mensun Bound and Dr Antonia Ward when it takes place in London, UK, from 29-30 September.
Marine archaeologist Bound, who is often described as the ‘Indiana Jones of the Deep’, will speak on day one about the pivotal role he played in the 2022 discovery of Sir Ernest Shackleton’s Endurance beneath the ice-covered waters of the Weddell Sea. During the conference, delegates will be able to experience a detailed 3D model of Endurance as it rests on the seabed today, courtesy of the Falklands Maritime Heritage Trust.
Dr Ward, chief futurist at Stylus, a global consumer trends and forecasting company, will look to the future, speaking about how travellers will discover, research, book and experience travel in the years ahead.
The day one programme for the annual conference has been designed for those who are newer to selling expedition cruises. Day two will focus on experienced and senior expedition cruise sellers looking to deepen their expertise and stay ahead of emerging trends.
“Every year, I look forward to bringing together speakers who will inspire, challenge, and educate our community,” said Akvile Marozaite, CEO and co-founder of ECN. “Bound’s keynote will take us behind the scenes of the search for one of history’s most famous shipwrecks and explore why Shackleton’s story continues to inspire adventurers more than a century later. Ward is one of the world’s leading experts on emerging consumer trends and future behaviours. Her keynote will provide practical insights into the changing expectations of tomorrow’s expedition cruise guests and how travel advisors can position themselves for success. Over the coming weeks, we will be announcing more… I genuinely believe this is shaping up to be our strongest conference programme yet.”