By Arlene Satchell From Sun Sentinel

The world’s largest cruise industry trade association will no longer have a presence in South Florida.

The Cruise Lines International Association this week said it plans to consolidate its two U.S. offices into a single new location in Washington, D.C., to better serve its members, which will mean the closure of offices in Fort Lauderdale and Arlington, Va.

CLIA’s Arlington office focused on advocacy, technical and regulatory affairs, communications and organizational operations. The Fort Lauderdale office supported travel agent members and executive partners.

“With the globalization of CLIA, we have added new capabilities and expanded our resources in various parts of the world to support a growing cruise industry,” President and CEO Christine Duffy said in a statement.

The Fort Lauderdale office is expected to wind down operations next spring. Meanwhile, the Arlington staff will move into the new headquarters in mid-January.

“I have a great appreciation and regard for our Fort Lauderdale team and their dedication to our members,” Duffy said. ” CLIA will be providing support to them throughout this transition.”

A CLIA spokeswoman said 11 people work in Fort Lauderdale. Some of its staff members have been asked to consider transferring to Washington, while some will work remotely for CLIA. Others will leave the organization altogether.

CLIA also announced that Cindy D’Aoust is joining the organization as executive vice president of membership and operations, with responsibilities for managing and expanding the functions previously based in Fort Lauderdale as well as overseeing the office consolidation.

D’Aoust previously served as chief operations officer at Meeting Planners International and has more than 20 years of experience in the hospitality industry and in membership organizations, CLIA said.

IMAGE: Christine Duffy with Gavin McLeod CLIA President and CEO Christine Duffy with Gavin McLeod of “The Love Boat” fame at the April 2014 Cruise3Sixty cruise conference in Fort Lauderdale. (Arlene Satchell/STAFF)

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