Second Annual "Rama Rebbapragada Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Cruise Industry in Asia" Accepting Nominations for Extraordinary Recipient

NEW YORK, Aug. 18, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Drawing on the success of the inaugural award at last year's Cruise Shipping Asia-Pacific event, UBM, organizers of the show, are now accepting nominations for the second annual Rama Rebbapragada Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Cruise Industry in Asia.

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This award will honor an individual who has made a particularly noteworthy contribution to the development of the cruise industry in Asia, distinguishing his or herself through dedication to, and passion for, the industry within the Pan-Asia region.

The award's namesake, Rama Rebbapragada, embodied this dedication. During his quarter-century-long career with Royal Caribbean International, Rebbapragada created awareness of the potential of the Asia-Pacific cruise market to the international cruise community, while being a true friend to all who knew him all over the world.

The recipient will be chosen by a select group of industry leaders, and will be presented during Cruise Shipping Asia-Pacific by Dr. Zinan Liu, Vice President, China and Asia, Royal Caribbean Cruises Limited, who was a friend and colleague of Rebbapragada's for many years. "I am so proud to have the honor of presenting this prestigious award in the name of my friend Rama, who was one of the most dedicated, loyal and passionate advocates for Royal Caribbean," said Liu. "He made a particular mark in waking the world's most populous region up to cruising. I look forward to sharing the stage with one who shares the same vision and aspirations as he did for the Asia cruise market."

Nominees will be judged on the following criteria:

• Made an outstanding contribution to the cruise industry in the Asia-Pacific region in 2014.
• Served to significantly raise the profile, visibility and credibility of the cruise industry in Asia.
• Represented the industry with dignity and professionalism

Nominations may be submitted to UBM by emailing christopher.dauer@ubm.com by October 15, 2014.

Cruise Shipping Asia-Pacific will take place November 20-21, 2014 at the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre. For information about exhibiting or attending Cruise Shipping Asia-Pacific visit www.cruiseshippingasia.com.  Details regarding the Rama Rebbapragada Award may be found by clicking here.

Cruise Shipping Asia-Pacific is organized by UBM in partnership with Seatrade Communications and is exclusively supported by Cruise Lines International Association and the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association. Official Event Partner: Hong Kong Tourism Board.

WHERE: Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre, Hong Kong. For more information, visit www.hkcec.com

MEDIA REGISTRATION: Media credentials are issued to bona fide journalists covering the convention. Review the media policy, request a media registration online or contact Jennifer Rosen.

Media Contact: Jennifer Rosen, +1-212-600-3332, Jennifer.rosen@ubm.com

Social Media
Additional news, information and announcements about Cruise Shipping Asia-Pacific are available at www.cruiseshippingasia.com.  Find Cruise Shipping on Facebook, on Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube.

About UBM
UBM connects people and creates opportunities for companies across five continents to develop new business, meet customers, launch new products, promote their brands and expand their markets. Through premier brands such as Routes, CPhI, IFSEC, TFM&A, Cruise Shipping Miami, the Concrete Show and many others, UBM exhibitions, conferences, awards programs, publications, websites and training and certification programs are an integral part of the marketing plans of companies across more than 20 industry sectors.

About UBM Asia (www.ubmasia.com)  
Owned by UBM plc listed on the London Stock Exchange, UBM Asia is Asia's leading exhibition organizer and the biggest commercial organizer in mainland China, India and Malaysia. Established with its headquarters in Hong Kong and subsidiary companies across Asia and in the US, UBM Asia has a strong global network of 30 offices and over 1,200 staff in 25 major cities. We operate in 19 market sectors with 160 exhibitions, 75 conferences, 28 trade publications, 18 vertical portals and virtual event services for over 1,000,000 quality exhibitors, visitors, conference delegates, advertisers and subscribers from all over the world.

About Seatrade
Connecting the global cruise community – www.seatrade-global.com   
Established 40 years ago, Seatrade is a leader in cruise and maritime publications, conferences and exhibitions, training, awards and other special projects. Regular events include international trade exhibitions and conferences across all maritime sectors, management training courses for shipping professionals, training seminars for travel agents and award schemes, including the Seatrade Insider Cruise Awards. Seatrade publications include magazines, supplements and yearbooks, whilst Seatrade Insider provides daily cruise news online at www.seatrade-insider.com