MIAMI--(BUSINESS WIRE)--On April 22, 2017, Celebrity Cruises hosted a gala 35th Anniversary luncheon for Joyce Landry & Josephine Kling aboard Celebrity Reflection, docked at PortMiami. Guests included local cruise industry VIPs, colleagues, vendors, longtime friends and supporters who gathered to celebrate a milestone that couldn’t have been predicted when the young entrepreneurs launched what became Landry & Kling Global Cruise Events – the leading producer of cruise events for the MICE market (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions, Events).
When the partners founded their business in 1982, it was a bold new concept to focus exclusively on meetings at sea. Early mentors told them there wasn’t enough cruise volume to warrant specialization but they persevered and, with only $26,000 between them, set out to conquer the world.
In a tribute to the founders, Richard Fain, Chairman & CEO Royal Caribbean Cruises; and Vicki Freed, Royal Caribbean’s SVP Sales; wrote: “With vision and passion, you developed a business niche that has grown to be an integral part of every cruise line’s business portfolio today.”
Over the years, Landry & Kling introduced many Fortune 500 companies to cruising and established a reputation for groundbreaking ideas, such as using cruise ships as dockside “floating hotels” to provide supplemental housing for city-wide conventions (American Heart Association), government summits (Summit of the Americas), and international sporting events (Super Bowl and Rio Olympics).
"The entire cruise industry owes you a debt of gratitude”, commented Sean Mahoney, Global VP Corporate & Incentive Sales for 16 years at Silversea Cruises. “…in fact, your anniversary event felt somewhat like a ‘coming of age’ celebration for all of us. I’m not entirely sure where we would be if not for your amazing stewardship and advocacy on our behalf."
The cruise industry formally recognized Landry & Kling in 2009 when they were inducted into the CLIA Hall of Fame (Cruise Lines International Association) as “Visionaries who led the way in seagoing corporate meetings and incentive travel.”
In her introduction to Landry & Kling’s “Video Highlights of 35 Years”, Celebrity Cruises’ President & CEO Lisa Lutoff-Perlo said, “There are not often times in our business where there are trailblazers who truly make a difference and contribute to the industry in a way that no one has before. Joyce and Jo are two of those women…They have been the apostles…and they have taught many…who have come after them, but no one will ever be like the both of you.”
To see Landry & Kling’s “Video Highlights of 35 Years”, more cruise line comments and photos visit 35th Anniversary Party.
About Landry & Kling
Since 1982, Miami-based Landry & Kling Global Cruise Events has provided cruise ship solutions and custom cruise planning for ship buy-outs, incentive cruises, cruise meetings, music festivals, theme cruises and dockside ship charters for global events. For oceans of information, visit landrykling.com and shipcharters.com or call 800-448-9002.
