MIAMI — Following the inaugural Carnival Conversations events held in late 2013, Carnival is kicking off its next series of the program with eight new events in 2014 including one stop in Canada.

An enhanced format will feature product training, as well as sales and marketing-focused topics, to help travel professionals maximize their business. Seven of the eight cities on the schedule are new this year with the exception of Miami.

The events will feature product training on Carnival’s latest innovations, as well as panel discussions featuring exclusive insight from the company’s own senior executive team regarding best practices in sales and marketing. Travel professionals may then ask executives questions directly during the open microphone session of the event.

“There is simply no better way to feel the pulse of what really matters to the trade community than to get out there and talk with travel professionals face to face on how we can work together to make our businesses stronger,” said Joni Rein, Carnival’s vice president of worldwide sales. “We’re really excited to get back out there and share our latest product innovations as well as provide exclusive insight into sales and marketing best practices that agents can take home and immediately apply to their own business model.”

Each event may accommodate up to 150 travel professionals. As with the first series of events, agents may register through Carnival Passport, located within the line’s travel agent Internet portal, GoCCL.com.

Events typically span three hours including the hour-long panel, Q&A with the Carnival executives, and breakfast or lunch. A complimentary cruise and other prizes will be awarded to travel agents at each event.

The 2014 Carnival Conversations schedule includes a stop in Toronto June 12.

In addition to these travel professional events, Carnival Conversations will also include 50 ship inspections at the line’s various North American homeports throughout 2014 hosted by local business development managers. The line also continues to field ongoing questions from the trade on its Carnival Conversations page on GoCCL.com.

For additional information or to register for a Carnival Conversations event, visit GoCCL.com.