Award-winning business leader and cruise company founder the latest GMA keynote speaker announcement

GMA is proud to announce that Sarina Bratton AM is the latest keynote speaker to be added to what is, no doubt, a world class GMA National Conference Program scheduled for the 6th – 10th October in Melbourne.

Widely regarded as a visionary businesswoman, and considered Australia’s “First Lady” of cruising, Mrs Bratton, who was awarded an Order of Australia (AM) in 2014, pioneered luxury expedition cruising in the Asia Pacific region when she founded market-leading five-star Orion Expedition Cruises in 2004.  Mrs Bratton served as Managing Director of the company until early 2013 when she sold her remaining shares in the company.

Orion was Mrs Bratton’s second start-up in the cruise industry. She founded her first, Norwegian Capricorn Line, in 1997, in a joint venture between Australian interests and Miami-based Norwegian Cruise Line. The company was acquired by Star Cruises in 2000.

Mrs Bratton’s cruise experience also includes 14 years with Cunard Line, ultimately as Vice President and General Manager Asia Pacific. She was responsible for growing the business from a small-revenue sales agency to a significant operation.

Mrs Bratton’s business acumen has led to several senior board directorships within Australian state and federal governments. These include the State Transit Authority (NSW), Australian Maritime Safety Authority (deputy chair), Sydney Paralympic Organizing Committee (Prime Minister’s nominee) and the Australian Trade Commission.  She has also served as a non-executive director of Australia’s former premium eco-accommodation provider, Voyages Hotels and Resorts, and was the Founding Chair of the International Cruise Council Australia (now CLIA Australasia – Cruise Lines International Association).

Mrs Bratton currently sits on the board of Diving Australia, the national sporting organisation charged with finding the next Olympic medallists in diving.

Mrs Bratton will discuss with National Conference delegates a keynote session on “Innovation in business, customer service and perseverance”, which given her background and experience, is not to be missed.