b'Things that 30 or 40 years ago that were utterly exotic are now staples. Wasabi paste, for example. Four decades ago thereWhen we put our annual gathering together, they feel was almost no need for wasabi paste on aperfectly comfortable to meet and speak with the cruise cruise line. Now its an indispensable item.That is something that probablyline industry people who are there.wasnt on many provisioning lists at one point, Pritchard said. They have to thinkbecause of the sheer volume involved. Butthat way. So we do want to be realistic outside the box now. Whether its farm toits an opportunity for the smaller compa- about what expectations are. We try to table, fresh or sustainable, its all becom- nies and the niche companies to make amake sure the new vendors have a very ing how they need to rethink what theyname for themselves when it comes to pro- clear idea of what it takes to do business do. So were addressing that. viding items like sustainable seafood, notin this industry.Cuisine is an obvious place where theusing plastics, any number of the things.industry has expanded its o erings. FoodOn the other side, vendors need to beScholarshipson any cruise ship will o er tastes fromrealistic about their ability to meet theThe MHA helps spread knowledge around the world, and on many ships itsindustrys voracious demands. within the industry, too. The association a prime driver of sales. As new members come in, we try too ers 19 scholarship programs for em-The MHA has invited guests chefs fromguide them to a realistic place. If youre aployees of member cruise lines. cruise lines to submit recipes for demon- supplier whos got a particular thing thatIts a point of pride for Pritchard as stration at its 35 thanniversary Conferencemight work well in supplying small vol- the association has given out over 8,200 and Trade Show representing globala- umes, its surprising how little thought isscholarships. vors. given to that when some of the vendorsThe professional development program It will really embrace the global foodslook to work with cruise lines. We try tois in conjunction with Cornell Universi-that are now creeping their way into allguide them when wegure out how totys School of Hotel Administration. The the di erent menus onboard. The worldwork with their particular product. Wehigh performance leadership program is is more diverse. The passenger is a moredont promise something they cant de- connected with Florida International Uni-diverse passenger. And their tastes areliver in that sense, she said. versity and the University of Plymouth.di erent, she said. The MHA helps counsel new vendorIn a sense, thats one of the major ben-It doesnt stop in the galley. members about keeping their goals with- e ts for the cruise lines, she said. On in reach. Do these companies have thethe other side, the vendor community are Being realistic wherewithal to service accounts of thisthe ones who bene t from the business Its very interesting how, also, cruisesize? Do they have the logistical capa- relationships they build with the industry. lines look for di erent ways to de nebilities needed?It can be di erent on one side of the aisle themselves. Its not always about the hard- As we know, the industry is globalfrom the other, but thats what weve al-ware. Its also about the software: A bigand the vessels are all over the place. Itsways tried to do.part of that is the food experience. Theresamazing how little some of the vendors also the cabin amenities, the sheets andwho come into this organization know towels. Cruise lines di erentiate them- about that. But then we do special orien-selves and this is becoming a big part oftations, she said. that, Pritchard said. Sometimes an opportunity in the indus-Passengers are keen to see cruise linestry is a greatt, sometimes not. Its better re ect their values, tastes, and globalto have some idea in advance rather than view. Cruise lines need to be nim- get overrun, letting down your new client.ble in addressing this, but alsoSometimes we have people realistic about supply chains. that come in and think they can For the larger lines itsjust walk in and do the busi-a little bit of a projectness, but it doesnt work 14 Cruise Industry News: MHA 35 thAnniversary'