2026 Speakers

Adriana Granato is an Italian architect, PhD, and Founder and Creative Director of Studio Ibsen, a Milan-based architecture and design practice established in 2017.
Working across architecture, interior design, hospitality, and the cruise industry, her practice explores the relationship between spatial identity, craftsmanship, materials, and contemporary luxury.
She currently serves as Global Art Director for Crystal Cruises and Abercrombie & Kent, overseeing the creative vision and design direction of international projects in the luxury travel and hospitality sectors.
Alongside her professional practice, Adriana is an Adjunct Professor at Politecnico di Milano, where she contributes to architectural education and research.
Her multidisciplinary approach combines architectural rigor with a strong sensitivity to cultural context, creating distinctive environments that balance aesthetics, functionality, and a sense of place.

Andrea is speaking at CSI Design Expo Europe, their full bio will be available shortly.

Andy has over 25 years’ experience in design and has worked internationally on many large-scale leisure developments. His continued drive and enthusiasm for innovative relevant design keeps SMC fresh, dynamic, and relevant. Passionate about good design, he is adept at combining years of experience with innovative and new thinking to produce unique and challenging creative solutions for clients. Andy believes that SMC’s success is down to its people and their approach to design, both of which continue to strengthen the company and benefit clients around the world.

Since 2014, Antonio Di Nenno is Architect Director of MSC Cruises’ new building department. Prior to this, he used to work in the yacht design industry. In this position, Antonio is involved in the development of all the new prototype ships designed for MSC Cruises, following the process from the concept design to the delivery. Antonio focuses his attention on the design and outfitting of guest cabins and public areas in order to ensure that the ship’s interiors are in line with MSC Cruises’ vision of the cruise experience.

My name is Antonio Lizzadri and I have over 20 years of experience in the catering discipline within the Maritime and shipbuilding industry. Currently, I’m Lead Catering & BOH at Royal Caribbean where, I oversee all catering operations during shipbuilding and pre-opening phases.

My expertise includes coordinating with culinary teams, suppliers and logistic to ensure the timely setup of Galley and Provision systems, always maintain the highest standards of quality.

I have led cross functional teams during ship delivery and acted as the main liaison between shipyard, site office and operation Team.

My background also included significant experience in Public Health compliance ensuring all system meet the requires of VSP Guidelines.

Ben Tilston is a Director of Design for IHG in the UK & Ireland, working with their Owners and development partners to deliver loved and trusted hotels across their Lifestyle, Premium, Essentials and Suites brands. Ben has worked on prestigious hotel and hospitality projects around the globe, amassing over 15 years of experience in design leadership across Architecture, Interior Design & Project Management. As part of his work in IHG’s Hotel Lifecycle & Growth team, he has been instrumental in developing new tools, resources and ways of working to deliver IHG’s Journey to Tomorrow ESG commitments in the area of hotel construction and refurbishment.

Prior to joining IHG in 2016, he has worked as an Associate at Dexter Moren Associates and Wimberly Interiors / WATG, with further experience as a Designer at Jestico + Whiles; all in London, UK. He holds a Master of Architecture (MArch) from the Welsh School of Architecture, Cardiff University, and a BA (Hons) Architecture from the Kent School of Architecture, Canterbury.

Ben’s young twins, Jack and Eddie, are the driving force behind his passion for sustainability in the hospitality sector and generally wanting to save the world!

Cathy Meyer has more than two decades of experience in the cruise industry, beginning her career in onboard operations with Seabourn in 2001. Since then, her career has spanned newbuild procurement and development across Holland America Line, Seabourn, and Princess Cruises.

Now an Interior Superintendent with Holland America Line, Cathy manages interior projects and oversees interior asset management. With a background that bridges onboard operations, procurement, development, and long term asset management, she brings a uniquely practical perspective to the design and ongoing care of cruise ship interiors.

Daniel is speaking at CSI Design Expo Europe, their full bio will be available shortly.

With more than 25 years of international hospitality experience, Florian Kibgilka has built a career that spans luxury hotels, world-class cruise lines, and expedition travel. Starting as a professionally trained chef in Germany, he progressed into senior leadership roles with HX, Viking Cruises, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Oceania Cruises, and Silversea Cruises.

Today, Florian leads hotel operations across HX’s expedition fleet, focusing on guest satisfaction, operational excellence, crew development, and continuous improvement. He played a key role in establishing the HX Hotel Support organization and supporting the successful post-pandemic relaunch of operations.

Passionate about people, Florian takes pride in mentoring future leaders and building strong, collaborative teams. He is equally committed to HX’s sustainability ambitions and believes that exceptional guest experiences should go hand in hand with responsible exploration. A strong supporter of the HX Foundation, he is inspired by its contributions to scientific research, conservation, education, and local communities, helping ensure that the destinations we explore today remain protected for generations to come.

Following an early career as a journalist covering net zero policy and the energy sector, Hannah joined the Starboard team in 2025. As Assistant Editor, she curates content, writes features and reviews, and builds relationships with professionals across the hospitality and design industries, from operators to designers and suppliers. With a particular interest in how luxury travel can deliver more sustainable hospitality experiences, she is keen to spotlight the emerging trends and innovations shaping the future of the cruise industry.

Jane Frewen is responsible for the design, maintenance and operation of facilities and hotel operations across Carnival UK’s 11-ship Cunard and P&O Cruises fleet. She leads the design team across both brands, covering interior design, FF&E specification and in-service works. A global facilities executive with over 20 years’ experience across the UK, UAE and Australia, her career is defined by operational transformation at scale — full P&L accountability for a $16B asset portfolio at Woolworths Group, Australia’s largest retailer; leadership of the International Convention Centre Sydney from design and pre-opening mobilisation through to full lifecycle operations; global estate and workplace operations across four continents with Etihad Airways in Abu Dhabi; and premium residential asset management for Nakheel on Palm Jumeirah, Dubai. She is a Chartered Member of the IWFM and a Board Member of FMA Australia.

I am the Founder and Principal of Styles Studio Collaborative, a Washington, DC–based architecture and interior design firm specializing in hospitality, commercial, and marine interiors. With nearly 15 years of experience, I’ve had the pleasure of leading the delivery of diverse projects ranging from hotel interiors, restaurants, and entertainment venues to guest accommodations. His approach combines thoughtful storytelling, immersive guest experiences, and a strong understanding of the technical demands of hospitality design. Through Styles Studio Collaborative, the firm brings a fresh, collaborative perspective to the industry, exploring how innovative design can create memorable spaces that enhance the guest experience and strengthen the connection between people, place, and the journey at sea.

Jonathan Rakow serves as a Sales Manager for Cruise, River Cruise and Special Purpose Vessels at MEYER WERFT in Papenburg. He holds a Masters Degree in both Naval Architecture and Business Administration and is certified as IPMA Senior Project Manager. In his daily work, Jonathan focusses on fostering technological innovation, aligning customer expectations, concepts and solutions with external and internal stakeholders, leading cross-disciplined project teams to develop and realize tailormade products for the fast growing cruise industry.

Julie Higgins is the Sustainability Officer and Director of Hotel Operations for Uniworld Boutique River Cruises . Born and raised for the most part in South Africa, she has spent the first (and last), 21 years of her career working in various positions within Uniworld, specialising in hotel operations. With her first decade spent working onboard of their river cruise ships, and the last decade being dedicated to travelling across the fleet, she considers these 20+ years of her career as an incredible education and journey within tourism, an industry which has captured her heart from the very start. Julie recently furthered her learning and has graduated with an MBA in Sustainability Leadership, and was honoured as a recipient of U.S.T.O.A.’s 2023 Future Light of the Tour Industry.

She now spearheads sustainability initiatives at the brand, and simultaneously oversees the fleet’s Hotel Operations, as they collectively work towards 11 strategic and ambitious sustainability goals, with the primary focus on reaching net zero by 2050 or before. Julie hopes that she can both continue her learnings in sustainable tourism, and pay it forward to those she is fortunate to meet along this shared journey.

Lauren West, born and raised in Seattle, Washington, is a third-generation member of the “Cruise West” family, a family well-known in the small-ship cruising industry. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering from Webb Institute and began her career as a Project Engineer in the conversion department at Foreship in Helsinki.

Since joining AmaWaterways in 2018 as a Naval Architect, Lauren has worked directly with co-founder Rudi Schreiner and operations teams to oversee newbuild projects, fleet-wide maintenance, refurbishments, and design innovations across AmaWaterways’ modern river fleet. Her work sits at the intersection of design, technical execution, and operations, with a focus on aligning stakeholders and delivering solutions that balance design intent, operational efficiency, and long-term performance. She is particularly interested in sustainable, lifecycle-driven approaches to fleet development.

Lorenzo Mortola is a naval architect and Chartered Engineer. He leads GEM, the family-owned architecture and design firm founded in 1985, specialising in ocean and river cruise ship design and project management.

In 2020, he also co-founded Shipshape, a lighting design and engineering studio dedicated to the marine sector, with offices in Genoa and Milan.

Through these complementary roles, he brings an integrated perspective on interior architecture and lighting, exploring how both can shape and enhance the onboard guest experience.

With over 15 years of experience in the cruise industry, Lorenzo has worked with major shipowners, shipyards and international operators, serving as lead architect on a wide range of award-winning vessels.

His approach combines bespoke design solutions with operational expertise and a strong understanding of the technical and spatial constraints of ship design.

Having spent the early part of my career working in The hospitality industry, I started working for Carnival UK in 2008. Since then I have worked in various roles in the industry as both a Contractor and Operator. I currently manage the Hotel Technical Operations on a fleet of 5 ships, with a specific passion and responsibility for managing budgets, increasing sustainability all whilst delivering a product that our passengers love.

Paolo Sitia is an Italian architect with 22 years of experience shaping design in the marine industry, from luxury motoryachts to contemporary cruise ships.

Born and raised in Genoa, a city deeply connected to the sea, Paolo’s professional journey reflects a lifelong fascination with the horizon, exploration and the freedom of going beyond the familiar.

He spent the first 12 years of his career at Azimut|Benetti, working in the world of bespoke luxury yacht design, before moving into the cruise industry in 2016. Today, as Head of Architecture at MSC Cruise Management in London, he contributes to the evolution of MSC Cruises and Explora Journeys, exploring how architecture, interiors and product identity can shape meaningful experiences at sea.

His approach to design brings together the owner’s vision, the identity of the brand and the expectations of those who experience the spaces, translating ambition into environments where aesthetics, functionality and a sense of place coexist.

For Paolo, designing at sea is about more than creating spaces: it is about shaping experiences, inspiring discovery and continually exploring new horizons.

Having worked in hotel, resort and branded residences development projects in over 20 countries, Paul now works with sanitary ware manufacturer Kaldewei as International Projects Manager, Hotels. Sustainability is a cornerstone of Kaldewei and this has driven his passion and interest in all aspects of sustainability in the hospitality industry. Previous experience includes working for hotel brands such as a Wyndham Group company to 10 years running his own hospitality development advisory company. His breath of experience enables both holistic and detailed understanding of the rapidly growing connectivity, accountability and value opportunities of sustainability in the hospitality development chain. Before leisure property, Paul held senior commercial roles at a leading UK database marketing agency and a global consumer lifestyle data and consumer analytics company. Away from work, Paul is a keen rugby supporter, tennis player and he also runs a not-for-profit taxi service for his two teenage sons.

Born in Sunderland, Paul joined Austin and Pickersgill Ltd. in 1981 and served an apprenticeship in the Hull Drawing office. In 1988 he Graduated from Newcastle University in Naval Architecture and then joined Lloyd’s Register, then in 2016 completed a MSc in Marine Technology. He is a European Engineer, Chartered Engineer, Chartered Marine Engineer and a Fellow of both the Royal Institution Of Naval Architecture and the Institute of Marine Engineers and a Member of the Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers.

During his time with Lloyd’s Register he has held various roles in several offices including surveying new build Cruise Ships in Italy for 9 years plus Gas Carriers in France for 2 years and surveying most existing ship types in both the U.K and Greece. He then worked as the Senior Project Manager on the Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers for the Royal Navy.

Paul is now a Principal Specialist in Lloyd’s Register’s Passenger Ship Support Centre for New Construction working with new Cruise Projects, Pre-Contract work, Training Courses and representing Lloyd’s Register in various forums.

Petra Trattner is an internationally experienced interior design professional with a career spanning both the cruise and hospitality industries.

Petra’s career has taken her around the world, living and working in Dallas, New York, London, Copenhagen and Sydney, before making Gothenburg, Sweden, her current home. Her international journey began with early experience in the United States before starting her professional career in London, where she began developing her experience in hospitality design.

She later moved to Sydney, where she spent six and a half years as Head of Design for P&O Australia, leading and shaping the design direction for one of the region’s most recognised cruise brands.

At the heart of Petra’s approach is a belief in the creativity behind design and the importance of optimising every interior for the individual client and, ultimately, their guests. She believes that great design should never be one-size-fits-all, but should respond to the unique identity, needs and ambitions of each project.

Petra has a particular passion for exploring the process behind great design — from discovering new suppliers and materials to understanding craftsmanship and manufacturing. She believes the strongest interiors come from a close connection between creativity, design intent and the people who bring ideas to life.

Her lifelong curiosity and love of travel continue to influence her work, with a particular passion for Italy, its culture, craftsmanship and rich design heritage.

At CSI Hamburg, Petra will bring her international perspective and experience across both cruise and hospitality design to the stage as moderator of a session exploring the evolving world of cabin design.

Apprenticeship as cook and further training to master chef

I was serving as a Chef in the Galley onboard River Cruise Vessels from 1995 – 2002

Since 2002 joined the head office of Sea Cloud Cruises in Hamburg as F&B Manager.

Further training to become a business administrator, successfully complete.

Director of Finance & Controlling (SCC) from 2014 to 2019.

Consultant of the construction process for a new ship in the hotel working areas.

Since 2019 Director Hoteloperations (SCC).

Quality Assurance Manager with an international background and degrees in Architecture, developed through studies in Florence, Shanghai, and Barcelona. Experienced in cruise ship newbuilding and operations, focused on connecting design, quality, and onboard realities to improve maintainability, durability, and guest experience. In Norwegian Cruise Line I support newbuild projects by transferring lessons learned from vessels in service into future generations, with a strong focus on quality, maintainability, and lifecycle performance. My work has driven practical improvements in material selection, furniture details, accessibility for maintenance, noise reduction solutions, and durability of onboard products. Through direct onboard engagement, mock-up reviews, and cross-functional collaboration, I help ensure that operational realities are considered from the earliest design stages, delivering better experiences for both guests and crews.