McLean Kennedy, Inc. joins Cruise the Great Lakes

(CHICAGO, IL) – Cruise the Great Lakes welcomes Montreal marine agent and logistics services company McLean Kennedy, Inc. as its newest member. The firm joins 30 other cruise lines, states, provinces, CVBs, ports and other providers in promoting and supporting the growth of the region’s growing cruise ship industry.

Founded in 1889 in Montreal, Quebec, McLean Kennedy is a one-stop shop for all port agency needs in Canada and the United States Great Lakes region.

“We are pleased to join Cruise the Great Lakes as we believe the organization’s relationship with both U.S. and Canadian Governments will benefit a bi-national collaboration for our clients and partners,” said Dan Karageorge, General Manager of McLean Kennedy. “A proactive approach for increasing exposure to Great Lakes cruising to creative sourcing of various cargo-based products will help make the economic health of the Great Lakes economy flourish.” 

Cruise the Great Lakes is the region’s cruise marketing program focused on attracting more passengers. It is a forum to bring together the states, provinces, cruise lines, ports, convention and visitors bureaus, chambers of commerce, associations, and others to work toward shared goals. The program is an initiative of the Chicago-based Council of Great Lakes St. Lawrence Governors and Premiers, which unites the chief executives from the eight states and two Canadian provinces bordering the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River.

“McLean Kennedy shares our commitment to showcasing the Great Lakes as a premier cruising destination,” said Cathleen Domanico, Tourism Director for Cruise the Great Lakes. “Their partnership is invaluable as we highlight the beauty, varied experiences, and economic opportunities that Great Lakes cruising offers to local communities. We look forward to collaborating with McLean Kennedy, Inc, and all our members to foster responsible and impactful travel across the Great Lakes region.” 

This past December, Cruise the Great Lakes announced that Great Lakes cruises are projected to welcome over 22,000 individual passengers, representing a nearly 10% increase from 2024. It also projects more than 700 port visits planned, up almost 30% from last year. Cruise passengers give the region a tremendous economic boost as organization officials anticipate more than $230 million in economic impact across the area in 2025, reflecting a 15% increase from 2024.

“McLean Kennedy joins the organization at an exciting time,” added Domanico. “We forecast this upcoming season to be even stronger than 2024, both in terms of passenger numbers and economic impact, which underscores the appeal of cruising in the Great Lakes.”

The full press release can be downloaded here.