With more than 200 years' combined experience in the cruise industry, the Landry & Kling team is well qualified and eager to serve as your cruise resource for business events at sea.
In 1982, entrepreneurs Josephine Kling and Joyce Landry founded Landry & Kling Inc., a new breed of travel company, and the first to specialize exclusively in cruise sales. The company provided the first distribution channel between cruise lines and corporate America by selling and operating incentive cruises and meetings at sea for Fortune 1000 companies such as GE, Radio Shack, AFLAC, Motorola, Miller Brewing, EDS, and others who use incentive travel to motivate peak performance.
Kling and Landry started their venture in New York City, with Kling responsible for marketing/media relations, finance, retail sales and administration. In 1988 the business relocated to Miami, Cruise Capital of the World. From a $26,000 start-up, annual sales grew rapidly by focusing on full-ship charters for corporate groups cruising in worldwide destinations,
As a pioneer of corporate cruises, Kling became a virtual industry spokesman, developing a reputation with journalists as a reliable source for consumer and trade publications, speaking to MPI, SITE, Seatrade and other industry groups, serving on cruise line advisory boards, writing a regular column for "Incentive" magazine, and appearing as a cruise expert (twice on NBC's Today Show). Landry & Kling Inc. is now one of the most highly visible and widely imitated companies in the incentive cruise industry.
In 1998 the company was sought after and purchased by a public company, Travel Services International, the first specialized distributor of leisure travel to be traded on Wall Street. And in May, 2005 the partners completed the buy-back of Landry & Kling Inc. with plans for growth well underway.
Kling started her cruise career as marketing & sales coordinator for Royal Viking Line in San Francisco. Later, moving to New York City, she worked as an advertising account manager for Scali McCabe Sloves; then joined Holland America Line as director of program planning & passenger research, where she developed the business plans of 5 vessels in worldwide destinations, and started a long friendship with Joyce Landry.
She serves on the advisory board for The Commonwealth Institute of South Florida, a non-profit organization founded to help women entrepreneurs build successful businesses. She's also a family partner for Habitat for Humanity and helped launch their first Women's Build in Vero Beach, FL. In 2004 Kling was a delegate to the Riga Women Business Leaders Summit in Riga, Latvia, a business development initiative in the Baltic sponsored by the US State Department. Kling Also serves on the board of directors of a steel fabricating business in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Joyce Landry is CEO of Miami-based Landry & Kling Inc. She and her business partner, Josephine Kling, formed the company in 1982 as the first to specialize in corporate events at sea. Landry's strong sales background and her years of experience in the cruise industry enabled her to identify a niche that was not present in the meetings and incentive market.
Prior to Landry & Kling's inception, Landry held the position of manager of Holland America Tours, where she was responsible for the implementation of the first air/sea department of Holland America Line.
She also served as regional sales director of Delta Queen Steamboat Company, where she introduced travel agents and meeting planners within a 13-state territory to the concept of steamboat cruising.
Landry has held positions on several cruise line advisory boards, including Disney Cruise Line, Radisson Seven Seas, Royal Caribbean International and Cunard/Seabourn Cruises advising them on the meetings/incentive industry. In the mid-1980s Landry strongly influenced cruise line executives via presentations made at the international shipping conference, Seatrade, to incorporate purpose-built meeting facilities into new ship designs. This dream finally came to fruition when the vessels were completed in the early 1990s. Now it is standard for ships to be introduced with meetings and conferences in mind.
Over the years, Landry has spoken to thousands of meeting planners about the viability of meetings and events on cruise ships, including events for the Insurance Conference Planners Association (ICPA), Meeting Professionals International (MPI) and the Society of Incentive Travel Executives (SITE). In addition, she is active in a number of associations and events relating to women in business and was formerly a keynote speaker for Women's History Month at the annual meeting of the United States Coast Guard.
Landry has been nominated for several prestigious awards from organizations like the Athena Foundation, which recognizes women for their professional excellence, community service, and also for actively and generously assisting women in their attainment of professional excellence. She was also named to the Women's Hall of Fame in recognition of Miami's Centennial, by the City of Miami Commission on the Status of Women and was named one of the Top 25 Most Influential People in the Meetings Industry by Meeting News magazine in 2002.
Landry is also founder and president of the Miami Executive Women's Golf League, which introduces golfing to professional women and she has organized multiple golf tournaments on corporate cruise programs throughout the Caribbean.
Her involvement in other organizations has included being president of the Youth Crime Watch of America, a troupe leader for Girl Scouts, USA and president of her local chapter of ToastMasters, USA.
In 2004, Landry contributed a chapter focusing on the corporate meeting & incentive cruise market in the publication of "The Complete 21st Century Travel & Hospitality Marketing Handbook" co-authored by Bob Dickinson, President & CEO of Carnival Cruise Lines and Andy Vladimir, Associate President Emeritus of Marketing & Management at Florida International University. Her chapter shares how Landry & Kling, Inc. has grown into a successful company with over 24 years of experience by adapting to changing business trends and providing personal service.
Landry and her business partner, Jo Kling sold their company in 1998 to the publicly traded company My Travel, and successfully re-purchased it back in May 2005. The company will be celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2007.
Cyndi Murphy, Vice President, Finance & Operations, began working for Landry & Kling in 1989 shortly after the company moved to its Florida location. During her tenure she has been instrumental in establishing company procedures and in developing and streamlining the Operations and Finance Departments. Cyndi was also pivotal in developing the company's custom-designed accounting software, which is still used today.
In 1996, Cyndi played an important role in the first-time charter of two dockside ships in New Orleans. International organizers for a non-profit association sought Landry & Kling's help when the city ran out of housing for the group's annual conference. As an alternative, two ships served as "floating hotels" for attendees.
She has drafted, negotiated and executed contracts for corporations, themed groups and affinity organizations, associations, continuing education groups, governments and sports organizations, including the 2005 charter of five vessels by the Jacksonville Superbowl Host Committee. Because of her extensive experience in spearheading contract negotiations for groups and full-ship charters between such a variety of clients and cruise lines, Cyndi is among the most experienced with cruise program contracts.
Cyndi says she enjoys her work because cruising is still such an "untapped industry." She says the industry’s growth dynamic offers so much opportunity.
Cyndi has traveled extensively to a variety of international destinations -- both by land and sea -- including Turkey, Greece, Russia, Scandinavia, the Northern Mediterranean, the Ukraine, Bulgaria, the United Kingdom, Australia and throughout the Caribbean. She says a cruise with her husband aboard a 60-passenger catamaran, along with their first scuba diving experience, through the Great Barrier Reef and their more recent spa getaway trip to Iceland are among her most memorable trips.
Besides cruising and traveling, Cyndi’s enjoys spending quality time with her family – husband Brian and their sons Matthew and Michael. She also stays busy with her volunteer work; including being a Cub Scout leader and running a non-profit organization dedicated to raising funds to hire classroom assistants for her son’s elementary school.
Ramon Santos, Vice President, Business Development, has been a member of the Landry & Kling team since 1991. During his tenure with the company, Ramon has worked as a Senior Program Manager in the Operations Department, as a Sr. Account Executive in the Sales Department, and most recently as Director of Sales & Business Development. In his current position, Ramon is responsible for international outreach and developing business to all markets.
Previously, he spent five years with Norwegian Cruise Lines handling reservations, group sales and coordinating incentives.
Ramon says he has enjoyed the move from "cruise line to corporate" because now, not only can he work directly with clients, but also see their ideas turn into a successful finished program.
Ramon played an important role in orchestrating a Spanish language trade show at sea. The mini-trade show was staged for a major financial institution who wanted to educate their Caribbean and Latin American bankers on new products and services.
During his years at Landry & Kling Ramon has become an expert in exotic cruise destinations, handling many programs and full charters in Alaska & the Greek islands. Ramon says one of the highlights of his career was the logistical coordination of an outdoor concert in the magnificent ruins of Ephesus, Turkey.
When Ramon is not working, he enjoys spending time outdoors or on the beach.
Born in Puerto Rico, Ramon was raised in the Dominican Republic and currently lives in Miami.
Latifa Shorter, Director of Marketing, has worked for Landry & Kling since 1994. She began her career at L&K managing programs and held the position of Air Department Supervisor before joining the sales & marketing team as Proposal Designer & Developer in 1999. In her current position Latifa plays a key role in coordinating and managing Landry & Kling’s marketing efforts.
As Director of Marketing, Latifa is responsible for the creative design and content of the company’s website as well as both printed and on-line versions of L&K’s Newsletter, Concurrents. Latifa also produces collateral materials, handles e-marketing and manages ongoing marketing relationships with Landry & Kling’s cruise line partners.
A 24-year veteran of the travel industry, Latifa has a well-rounded background in several aspects of the travel/tourism industry including car rentals, destination management services as well as cruise line experience.
Latifa enjoys traveling and her passion for learning about new destinations and cultures has led her to many exciting destinations, including the Caribbean, Alaska, the Mediterranean and Scandinavia. In her free time, Latifa enjoys spending time with her son, family and friends.
Marisol Rangel, Senior Cruise Events Manager, oversees all operational aspects of the more complex incentive programs, meetings at sea, and ship charters. Previous to her last promotion Marisol had worked as Program Manager for Landry & Kling since 1996.
Prior to her joining the L&K team, Marisol spent five years with Royal Caribbean International (RCI) where she began as Incentive Coordinator. Later, she was promoted to Incentive Program Administrator and finally to Charter Coordinator, where she was responsible for the coordination of all charters, corporate symposiums and special groups.
Previous to her cruise career, Marisol owned and operated a retail travel agency.
An interesting program that Marisol helped orchestrate was a drawing for 3 BMW’s at the Port of Miami for an incentive group returning from a 2-night cruise. An elimination drawing was held onboard ship with the final top-tier drawing at a vacant terminal at the Port of Miami. Marisol and her team sourced the hard-to-find cars and extra keys and -- with only 72 hours lead time -- provided chairs and carpeting, a DJ with oversize sound system, champagne, balloon bouquets and confetti- guns; and provided the transportation between terminals prior to departure for the airport.
Marisol says her most memorable cruise destination is the Eastern Mediterranean because of the beauty and rich culture of the Greek Isles and Turkey.
Marisol adds that out of all her "jobs," her biggest project/responsibility has been raising her two daughters, Mari and Samantha. She adds, "If I can handle that, I can handle anything!"
Marisol was born in Cuba and raised in New Jersey. She currently resides in Kendall, FL.
Naomi Humphreys, Office Supervisor, has been with Landry & Kling since 1997. Her responsibilities include front office management, coordinating special company events and requisitioning cruise line collateral materials for use by the sales and operations departments.
Naomi has become very popular with clients and suppliers alike and is especially known for her warm and personal service with those calling in, and for her genuine, welcoming smile for those who visit our Coral Gables office.
Previously, Naomi worked for Florida Power & Light (FPL) for 11 years, beginning as Office Clerk and later being promoted to Senior Secretary for the Director of Power Supply. While at FPL, she handled payroll, maintained personnel records and coordinated meetings and travel arrangements.
Naomi says she enjoys working in the cruise industry because it is satisfying to see people having fun. She has traveled extensively throughout Europe and the Caribbean. Her favorite destination was Zurich, Switzerland because of its cleanliness and fresh air.
Away from work, Naomi enjoys spending time with family and friends and is very active in community outreach for her religious organization.
Stephanie Deaton, Senior Account Manager, contributes to the sales department's development of cruise incentives and meetings with many of the world's largest corporations.
She has worked for Landry & Kling since 1998, beginning as Executive Assistant and then in Sales. Previously, Stephanie worked in the medical and healthcare fields.
Stephanie says she enjoys the cruise industry because it is challenging to keep up with such an evolving field, where no program, client or destination is ever the same.
One of Stephanie's favorite cruise experiences was an exploration voyage to Costa Rica and Panama, where she explored the rain forest with naturalists and visited an indigenous Indian village. Another favorite cruise destination is the Eastern Mediterranean, with its beautiful Greek Islands and exotic Turkish cities.
When she is not working, Stephanie likes to spend time with her friends and family.
Stephanie grew up in North Carolina and Atlanta.
Associate Director of Business Development, Debi Madansky works to solidify new business throughout the Northeast. Debi came to Landry & Kling with a strong travel and tourism background, working for Doubletree Hotels as Corporate Sales Manager for almost three years and for Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) eight years prior.
Especially valuable to Landry & Kling, is Debi's cruise experience, which includes the roles of meeting planner and national accounts. Debi main responsibility at NCL was coordinating all of the seminars at sea, trade shows, sponsorships and inaugural events.
Debi says she has enjoyed the move from the cruise to corporate sector because there is opportunity to work with every cruise line and multiple itineraries. She also enjoys the fact that she can also travel to a wider variety of destinations. The most interesting trip Debi says she has ever experienced was a cruise to Tunis, Africa. She enjoyed most the cultural differences and simplicity.
Debi was born and raised in Miami.
Karlyn M. Lang, Cruise Events Manager joined the team in 2007 bringing with her 12 years of experience in the cruise industry. Previously at Royal Caribbean International, she worked both in Event Planning and Sales. She is excited by the diversity of programs she has managed on different cruise lines since joining Landry & Kling. Her favorite destination so far has been the Greek Isles and Turkey.
Born in Claymont, Delaware, Karlyn is one of 12 siblings. Coming from a big family, Karlyn brings a warm, yet no-nonsense approach to getting down to business. She is known among her co-workers and clients for her upbeat attitude and her sense of humor. She is both passionate about golf and an excellent cook. At home Karlyn enjoys creating new recipes for family members Franco and Clayton and frequently hosts informal “taste testing” events and recipe exchanges with her neighbors.
Gretta Roque, Operations Coordinator, supports Landry & Kling's Operations Department by serving as a liaison between the company and its team of travel staff professionals as well as managing the department's resources and materials. Gretta also supports the Vice President, Finance & Operations as well as the Director of Finance & Administration in the areas of contract administration and human resource management.
Prior to working at Landry & Kling, Gretta worked at Royal Caribbean International for nearly three years. Her primary responsibility was dealing with past passenger feedback for customer service research. She enjoys working in the cruise industry and traveling whenever possible. Previously, Gretta worked in the inspections department of an import/export shipping company. She worked with inspectors on the detailed international shipping reports.
She enjoys working in the cruise industry and traveling. She was born in Cuba and raised there until the age of 12. She then moved to Panama, before moving with her family to the United States. She has two older sisters--one who lives in Spain, and the other who lives in Cuba.
Gretta's hobby and passion is music. A country music fan, Reba McIntyre is one of her favorite artists, and her visit to the Opryland Hotel in Tennessee was one of her most memorable vacations.
Currently, Gretta resides in Kendall, FL.
Vicki Fernandez, Account Manager, joined the Landry & Kling sales team in 2005. She specifically works with L&K's new strategic alliance partners, Experient, researching and proposing cruise opportunities for their clients.
Vicki first joined the L&K team in the early 1990's and worked as Executive Assistant to Jo Kling & Joyce Landry for 5 years. She left Landry & Kling to work in her church where she served for almost 6 years.
"I am so glad to be back aboard at L&K, it feels like I never left. I look forward to assisting many Experient clients to successful cruise programs." says Vicki.
Vicki is a Miami native residing in the Kendall area. She loves volunteering in the arts ministry at her church and spending leisure time watching movies and enjoying time with friends. Vicki is also an avid reader. She especially enjoys mystery/crime thrillers.
Steve Milo re-joined Landry & Kling in 2006 and is currently Director of Business Development. Steve brings to the position 18 years of sales experience in the meetings industry. Most recently, he spent eight years with Walt Disney Parks and Resorts as Senior Sales Manager, representing both Disney Cruise Line and Disney’s convention resorts to the corporate and incentive market.
Prior to his tenure with Disney, Milo spent three years at Landry & Kling as Account Executive for the northeast US region. Milo’s previous experience includes sales positions with Royal Caribbean and Marriott Hotels.
Michelle Giuliano, Director of Operations, is a 26 year veteran of the cruise industry. She spent over 25 years with Royal Caribbean / Celebrity, starting out as an administrative assistant, followed by various position in Sales and the last 10 years as the Manager of Event Planning and Special Events.
When asked what she liked about working on the corporate side versus the supplier side of the cruise industry, she answers “Having spent 25 years on the cruise line side, it is very interesting to now work with clients directly and with a variety of different cruise lines. The challenges and experiences are more diverse and I have more interaction with many different entities.”
Michelle recalls one of her proudest work experiences happened after 911. Royal Caribbean had planned a naming ceremony to introduce a new ship in the Port of New York. Their original plans were changed to incorporate and honor the families of those who had died, as well as those assisting in response and recovery. Because the Port was closed to ships, this special event was to be cancelled. Although others had failed to do so, Michelle succeeded in getting the port open for the ship to arrive. When the day came, the entire ship was filled with family members and rescuers for an incredible event no one would forget. To make it even more special, New York Mayor, Rudy Giuliani came and spoke at the Naming Ceremony for the ship.
After traveling all over the world during her tenure with Royal Caribbean and Celebrity, the place this Miami native found most interesting was the Galapagos. For her, it was a life changing experience. Her favorite destination overall is the Caribbean.
Michelle is sports enthusiast and an avid golfer. She loves Casa de Campo in the Dominican Republic because they have some of the best golf courses in the world. Michelle loves to cook and experiment in the kitchen. One of her greatest joys has been raising her daughter, Brittany. Her other love is a wire-haired fox terrier named Callie.
Gina Meyerson is Landry & Kling’s Senior Sales Manager Business Development for the mid-western region of the United States. In her position, she is responsible for developing sales of Landry & Kling’s specialized cruise services to meeting and incentive travel buyers and other special event companies.
Gina has over 20 years of experience in the travel and meetings industry, with a proven track record in both event planning and sales. Most recently, she was chief operating officer of a cruise consulting firm and, earlier, spent 13 years at TGI Friday’s where she managed the corporate travel department and meeting planning division of the company.
Gina enjoys finding the perfect cruise solutions for her clients. Her personal favorite cruise destination is the Greek Isles.
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In 1982, entrepreneurs Josephine Kling and Joyce Landry founded Landry & Kling Inc., a new breed of travel company, and the first to specialize exclusively in cruise sales. The company provided the first distribution channel between cruise lines and corporate America by selling and operating incentive cruises and meetings at sea for Fortune 1000 companies such as GE, Radio Shack, AFLAC, Motorola, Miller Brewing, EDS, and others who use incentive travel to motivate peak performance.
Joyce Landry is CEO of Miami-based Landry & Kling Inc. She and her business partner, Josephine Kling, formed the company in 1982 as the first to specialize in corporate events at sea. Landry's strong sales background and her years of experience in the cruise industry enabled her to identify a niche that was not present in the meetings and incentive market.
Cyndi Murphy, Vice President, Finance & Operations, began working for Landry & Kling in 1989 shortly after the company moved to its Florida location. During her tenure she has been instrumental in establishing company procedures and in developing and streamlining the Operations and Finance Departments. Cyndi was also pivotal in developing the company's custom-designed accounting software, which is still used today.
Ramon Santos, Vice President, Business Development, has been a member of the Landry & Kling team since 1991. During his tenure with the company, Ramon has worked as a Senior Program Manager in the Operations Department, as a Sr. Account Executive in the Sales Department, and most recently as Director of Sales & Business Development. In his current position, Ramon is responsible for international outreach and developing business to all markets.
Latifa Shorter, Director of Marketing, has worked for Landry & Kling since 1994. She began her career at L&K managing programs and held the position of Air Department Supervisor before joining the sales & marketing team as Proposal Designer & Developer in 1999. In her current position Latifa plays a key role in coordinating and managing Landry & Kling’s marketing efforts.
Marisol Rangel, Senior Cruise Events Manager, oversees all operational aspects of the more complex incentive programs, meetings at sea, and ship charters. Previous to her last promotion Marisol had worked as Program Manager for Landry & Kling since 1996.
Naomi Humphreys, Office Supervisor, has been with Landry & Kling since 1997. Her responsibilities include front office management, coordinating special company events and requisitioning cruise line collateral materials for use by the sales and operations departments.
Stephanie Deaton, Senior Account Manager, contributes to the sales department's development of cruise incentives and meetings with many of the world's largest corporations. 
Associate Director of Business Development, Debi Madansky works to solidify new business throughout the Northeast. Debi came to Landry & Kling with a strong travel and tourism background, working for Doubletree Hotels as Corporate Sales Manager for almost three years and for Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) eight years prior.
Gretta Roque, Operations Coordinator, supports Landry & Kling's Operations Department by serving as a liaison between the company and its team of travel staff professionals as well as managing the department's resources and materials. Gretta also supports the Vice President, Finance & Operations as well as the Director of Finance & Administration in the areas of contract administration and human resource management.
Vicki Fernandez, Account Manager, joined the Landry & Kling sales team in 2005. She specifically works with L&K's new strategic alliance partners, Experient, researching and proposing cruise opportunities for their clients.
Steve Milo re-joined Landry & Kling in 2006 and is currently Director of Business Development. Steve brings to the position 18 years of sales experience in the meetings industry. Most recently, he spent eight years with Walt Disney Parks and Resorts as Senior Sales Manager, representing both Disney Cruise Line and Disney’s convention resorts to the corporate and incentive market. 
Gina Meyerson is Landry & Kling’s Senior Sales Manager Business Development for the mid-western region of the