What’s that? You have no clue what a blue-footed booby is? Obviously, you’ve never had the good fortune to visit the Galapagos Islands, where these charismatic birds reside. But Landry & Kling CEO Joyce Landry has. (Check out the videos from Joyce’s recent Lindblad expedition cruise– watch her wild sea lion encounters on the island and in the sea.)

The Galapagos Conservation Trust established Blue-footed Booby Day as part of the BBC Wildlife Fund 2010 Wild Appeal to raise much-needed funds for threatened wildlife and places. You might have missed Blue-footed Booby Day, but it’s not too late to make a donation to help protect these loveable birds and their surrounding habitat.

Landry & Kling and Seasite staff demonstrated their support of the birds by dressing in blue and donating to the fund.

L&K celebrates Blue-footed Booby Day! From left: Joey Sciarrotta, Jo Kling, Dolores Betancourt, Joyce Landry(with friend), Naomi Humphreys, Marlene Bernasconi

But back to the birds at hand (or should I say, feet?) The Blue-footed Booby is one of the strangest birds in Galapagos. They’re most famous for their bright blue feet, with the color ranging from light to deep blue. How they got their bright blue feet is a mystery, but the blueness plays an important part in courting.

The Mating Dance: During the mating season, the booby performs an elaborate mating dance, which starts when the male gives the female a small stone or stick.  He then tips his beak, tail, and wing tips to the sky and whistles.  They slowly march around each other and display their bright blue feet for hours.

Anyone lucky enough to spend time with these stunning birds can’t help but fall for them as they are always happy to perform their highly entertaining courtship dance – which involves the males flaunting their blue feet to the females.

While they’re most elegant in flight, Blue-footed Boobies are clumsy on the ground and this, coupled with their iconic courtship dance, earned them their name – ‘booby’ coming from the Spanish term ‘bobo’ meaning clown.  To see the dance click here.

Now that you’ve gotten to know these amusing birds, why not plan an expedition to the Galapagos with your group to meet the blue-footed boobies (and lots of other friendly creatures) up close and personal. Ask Joyce Landry – she’s tell why a voyage to the Galapagos is a life-altering experience.

Here is the press release announcing Landry & Kling’s alliance partnership with MCI Group.

Landry & Kling Announces Strategic Alliance Partnership with MCI Group

MIAMI, May 28, 2010 – Cruise Events Specialists Landry & Kling today announced a strategic alliance with MCI, a leading global association, communications and event management company. The partnership agreement includes Landry & Kling company Seasite.com, the first cruise portal dedicated to the cruise meetings and events market.

Under the new alliance, MCI will promote the use of cruise ships for group meetings and events accessing Seasite.com services and resources including cruise sourcing, contract negotiations, and valuable planning tools. In addition, MCI will request Landry & Kling services for its clients who require cruise logistics custom planning services – from the pre-event planning phase through on-site event implementation.

“Through our ongoing working relationship with Landry & Kling, we will expand our service portfolio to include cruise ships and continue to deliver high quality service to corporate and association meeting planners and their attendees,” said Roger Tondeur, President of MCI. “Cruise ships provide cost-effective, innovative venues for meetings and events, and we are pleased to team with the forward-thinking leaders of the cruise events business to broaden our industry reach.”

To support the ongoing partnership, Landry & Kling will recommend Ovation Global DMC (part of MCI Group) to its customers who require Destination Management Services such as port excursions, special events or group transportation at key Ovation locations. These destinations include (but are not limited to) Malaga, Valencia and Barcelona, Spain; Cannes, Nice, and Monte Carlo, France; Livorno, Rome, Naples, Sorrento, Taormina, and Venice, Italy; Stockholm, Sweden; and Hong Kong.

“We are delighted to team with MCI, one of the largest meetings and events company in the world, to bring additional value-added services to our customers,” said Mark Phillips, Chief Operating Officer of Landry & Kling. “Their global destination management services and other valuable resources will complement many of our customers’ cruise event programs.”

About Landry & Kling and Seasite.com

Landry & Kling Inc., cruise event specialists since 1982, recently introduced Seasite.com, the first online cruise platform for meeting professionals. Seasite is an industry sourcing tool to search, select and plan group cruises, with access to 35 cruise lines in one site, meeting-friendly search criteria, e-RFP’s, meeting/function room capacities, dining details and other unique tools available nowhere else. Visit www.seasite.com or www.landrykling.com.

About MCI

MCI is a globally integrated association, communication, and event management company. Since 23 years, MCI helps companies, governments and associations bring people together to create meaningful connections and win. MCI’s combined expertise helps clients to outperform by offering strategy, creativity and execution in the field of Association Management & Consulting, Performance Improvement, Global Congress Management, and Meetings & Events. Our support services include Global Destination Management in 36 countries and Audio Visual & Staging solutions. MCI has 43 offices in 21 countries and employs over 920 professionals worldwide. Visit www.mci-group.com.

In the profile, Joyce Landry: The Port in a Storm, Dr. Elinor Garley remarks “Landry and Kling are pioneers in the use of cruise ships as floating hotels. In fact, Landry’s telephone number should be on speed dial for every corporate and government travel executive [editor's emphasis], for she can find a ship and get you home safely…”

Here’s an excerpt from Dr. Garley’s article:

Margaret Thatcher said, “If you want something said, ask a man; if you want something done, ask a woman,” and when it comes to moving corporate and government executives from one part of the universe to the other or disaster victims from crises to safety – and it can be done by sea, there is one woman who can make it happen: Joyce Landry, the CEO of Landry & Kling, Inc. Since 1982, Joyce and her partner, Josephine Kling, have successfully transferred heads of state and corporate presidents as well as victims of Katrina, from one port to another. Dockside charter projects include the 1992 Barcelona Olympics; 2005 Super Bowl (Jacksonville, FL); 2007 Cricket World Cup (West Indies) and the 2009 Summit of the Americas (Trinidad).

Read the full article in TourismExecutives.com.

In her article, Ms. Montello reminds readers that now is the time for meeting and event planners to capitalize on the value-added features of a cruise: included meals, activities, entertainment, meeting space and AV. So true! Jo referred the journalist to our cost comparison chart that clearly demonstrates how a meeting at sea can save 20 to 40 percent when compared to a comparable land venue.

Microsoft Computer Science Conference on Disney Cruise Ship

Ms. Montello also notes that cruises make a planner’s job much easier, a fact our corporate clients can attest to. With no menus to plan, entertainers to hire, spouse programs to cost out and organize, or transfers to arrange for outings, a cruise program once again saves valuable time and dollars.

We are happy that the article also includes a case-study of a Microsoft conference that Landry & Kling planned and executed on the Disney Wonder. Our client from Microsoft told us that the all-inclusive nature of the cruise made it extremely cost-effective. In fact, those going to another computer science conference at a land-based property spent twice as much as those sailing on the Disney ship.

Here’s an excerpt from Andrea Montello’s article:

A floating conference, complete with games, appearances by Minnie, Mickey, and Goofy, is more popular than ever, even in this era when price and perception are paramount. Miami-based Landry & Kling, a company that has been focusing on meetings and incentives aboard cruise ships since 1982, handled the program.

The Fourth International Conference on the Foundations of Digital Games was held April 26–30, 2009 aboard the Disney Wonder and was completely sold out. Approximately 400 attended from 33 countries.

Read the full article: TheMeetingMagazines

She’s a gold medal athlete who rows with the dolphins, was recently certified to serve on disaster-relief animal rescue teams, serves as a mentor to young women, and is an advocate for Florida historic preservation and environmental conservation.

Daring to Take Risks
Passion is also what drove Joyce and her business partner Jo Kling to open a cruise brokerage office in New York City 28 years ago. Even though the odds were against them, Jo and Joyce steered clear of negative people and never lost sight of their vision. Their determination and vision paid off. Over the years, Landry & Kling pioneered the use of cruise ships for meetings, introduced the “floating hotel” concept for global events, and launched Seasite.com – the first cruise sourcing tool for meeting planners.  In 2009, b oth Joyce and Jo were inducted into the Cruise Lines International Association Hall of Fame in recognition of their contributions to the cruise industry.

Advice to Grads
Last week,  Joyce returned to her hometown of Gardner Massachusetts to deliver the keynote commencement speech at Mount Wachusett Community College. She encouraged the graduating class of 2010 to follow their passions, look for opportunities in adversity, give back, and live a life of meaning and purpose.

MeetingsNet Shares Joyce’s 8-Step “Magic” Recipe
MeetingsNet journalist Allison Hall was in the audience and heard Joyce’s inspirational speech. In her article, “Landry Tells Grads: Rock Your World!” she reveals Joyce’s 8-steps for creating a life of magic ( dramatically delivered with the flourish of a sparking “magic” wand).

1. Find delight in everyday things.
2. Participate. Don’t play it safe.
3. Keep going even when times are tough.
4. Live healthy.
5. Be ready for adventure.
6. Be grateful.
7. Make money for the right reason
8. Give generously.

More simple yet profound advice:  “Forgive someone. Tell people how much they mean to you. Say yes when someone asks for help.”

Allison Hall writes:

She concluded her address to the Mount Wachusett class of 2010 with an appropriate analogy for a cruise industry luminary: “A boat that doesn’t rock goes nowhere. Go out and rock your world!”

To read the full meetingsnet article, click on Joyce Landry Commencement Speech.

So there you have it – start implementing these steps today and begin living a life of magic.

Do any of these steps resonate with you? Do you have your own recipe for living a life of passion and magic? We’d love to read your comments!

In 2006, after undergoing a rigorous review process, Landry & Kling achieved national certification from WBENC as a Women’s Business Enterprise.

Joyce Landry, CEO of Landry & King and co-founder of Seasite.com, was recently named to WBENC’s Forum Governing Group, where she will be an advocate of women-owned businesses as suppliers for U.S. corporations. Joyce will also take an active role in the organization’s global growth.

To find out more about WBENC  and Joyce Landry’s new role as a member of the Governing Group, read the entire press release.

Here’s the press release:

Landry & Kling Announces Seasite.com Online Community Powered by i-Meet

Social Media Strategy Launches for Planners and Suppliers; Technology Partnership Connects Customers, Embraces Open Communication

MIAMI, May 5, 2010.  Cruise event specialists Landry & Kling Inc. have announced a strategic partnership between their company Seasite.com, the first cruise portal for meetings and events, and i-Meet.com, the professional and social network for meeting and event planners and suppliers.

The partnership introduces a unique, online community on i-Meet.com for Seasite.com users and prospects worldwide. Leveraging i-Meet’s fast-growing network and social media platform, Seasite’s online community will feature industry leading technology, group special interest “hot spots”, and provide a way for people to connect and interact with over 20,000 industry professionals around the world.

“Our customers have expressed an interest in a community-based social platform to complement Seasite’s cruise sourcing and planning tools,” said Jo Kling, CEO of Seasite.com.  “We are excited to be partnering with i-Meet and its meetings industry-specific social network approach; we can now deliver a unique experience to our customers that’s in line with the way people do business today.”

“It’s really a very natural progression to introduce social networking to cruise meetings customers,” said John Pino, i-Meet’s Founder and CEO, “and marrying Seasite’s cruise sourcing technology with an online communications and collaboration channel enabled through i-Meet’s global community of planners, buyers and suppliers will create advantages for everyone.”

“Facebook and Twitter are important to our overall social media strategy, but with our new Seasite online community, we’re giving our customers and users an expanded experience in i-Meet’s global community,” said Jo Kling  “This is an industry first that will allow our users to network with other professionals and communicate what’s on their minds.”

The partnership will allow the growth of active mini-communities for i-Meet and Seasite.com members based on their areas of interest. The groups will be hosted and administered by Seasite’s expert cruise industry professionals. “Friend-ing” others, “following” suppliers, and subscribing to and publishing blogs will round out the experience.

About Landry & Kling and Seasite.com

Landry & Kling Inc., cruise event specialists since 1982, recently introduced Seasite.com, the first online cruise platform for meeting professionals. Seasite is an industry sourcing tool to search, select and plan group cruises, with access to 35 cruise lines in one site, meeting-friendly search criteria, e-RFP’s, meeting/function room capacities, dining details and other unique tools available nowhere else. Visit www.seasite.com or www.landrykling.com

About i-Meet

Created by the Founder of StarCite, www.i-Meet.com is focused on building the industry’s most relevant worldwide online community for the meeting and event industry.  With 20,000 members from 130 countries around the world to date, i-Meet brings social networking, web 2.0 tools, work flow and relationship opportunities, and industry intelligence to its members and suppliers. Visit i-meet.com

For further information, contact:

i-Meet.com: Chip Stockman
cstockman@i-meet.com
(610) 999-2186

Seasite.com: Maureen McKeon
mmckeon@seasite.com
(305) 661-1880

]]> http://www.seasiteblog.com/2010/05/new-online-community-for-meeting-event-planners/feed/ 0 http://www.seasiteblog.com/2010/04/your-new-cruise-line-insider/ http://www.seasiteblog.com/2010/04/your-new-cruise-line-insider/#comments Wed, 21 Apr 2010 14:47:43 +0000 Maureen McKeon http://www.seasiteblog.com/?p=1340 With 14 new ships launched in 2009 and 21 more on the horizon, the cruise lines are eager to fill their ships by hosting more meetings, incentives and other corporate groups onboard. The evidence? We’re seeing an increase in short itineraries, more US departure ports, and affordable group pricing.

And now,  for the first time in it’s 35-year history,  the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) has invited a representative of the meetings and incentive market to join their ranks as a member of the Travel Agent Advisory Board. We may be biased, but we can’t think of a better person to serve in this critical role than industry innovator and Seasite CEO, Jo Kling.

What does this mean to all you meeting and event planners out there? You now have an advocate working with the cruise lines “behind the scenes” on your behalf. Jo is hoping to hear from you so she can represent your interests to CLIA’s 25 member cruise lines.

READ THE ENTIRE PRESS RELEASE:

Landry & Kling’s Jo Kling Joins Cruise Industry Advisory Board
First Representative of Corporate/Incentive Market to Cruise Industry

MIAMI, FL (April 20, 2010) – A leading force in the world of cruise meetings and incentive cruises, Jo Kling, CEO of Seasite.com and co-founder of Landry & Kling Inc., was recently invited to the Cruise Lines International Association’s (CLIA) Travel Agent Advisory Board, to represent the corporate/incentive market.

Serving through 2012, Kling will provide a seasoned perspective on cruise industry issues and trends as they relate to meeting professionals, and will serve as a CLIA spokesperson on cruise meetings as she is the only one on the 23-member TAAB exclusively representing the cruise meetings/incentive market. Other members represent the entire spectrum of cruise selling operations, from the Host Agencies to independent home-based retailers and online agencies, to major “bricks and mortar” travel retailers.

“I hope to hear from cruise meeting specialists and incentive cruise buyers so I can represent their interests on this board to the 25 member cruise lines.” said Kling.  “The potential in the meeting and incentive market is huge, and if all of us who are devoting resources to this sector work closely together with the cruise lines we can really make a difference.”

Last year 14 new ships entered service, 12 more will be christened in 2010, and another 9 new ships will appear in 2011. New sources of cruise passengers are needed to fill this capacity so cruise lines are more eager than ever to attract meeting & incentive groups. There’s evidence of this in their affordable group package-pricing, more short itineraries, more US home ports, and now – they’ve added the first representative of the corporate/incentive market to the CLIA advisory board.

Kling was invited to the CLIA board because she and business partner, Joyce Landry, have been advocates of cruise meetings since 1982 and were inducted into the 2009 CLIA Hall of Fame for their pioneering role in this sector.  Also in 2009, they launched Seasite.com, the first online cruise portal for meeting and event planners. Through this industry tool, event planners of all kinds now have easy access to 35 cruise brands in one comprehensive site including ship sourcing, meeting and function room capacities and dining details not published elsewhere — not even on cruise line web sites.

Commenting on the 2010-2012 Travel Agent Advisory Board selection, CLIA’s president and CEO Terry Dale said:  “We are deeply indebted to the professionals who consent to serve on the TAAB. Their experience in selling cruises provides CLIA’s member cruise lines with invaluable insight and direction as they play a major role in shaping our business strategies going forward.”

About Landry & Kling and Seasite.com

Landry & Kling Inc., cruise event specialists and pioneers of the meetings-at-sea concept, provide turnkey solutions and custom cruise logistics for ship buy-outs, incentive cruises, all kinds of meetings-at-sea and dockside ship charters for global events.  Landry & Kling recently launched Seasite.com, the first online cruise platform for meeting and event planners. For oceans of information, visit www.landrykling.com or www.seasite.com or call 800-448-9002 to speak with a Cruise Advisor.

About CLIA

The nonprofit Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) is North America’s largest cruise industry organization. CLIA represents the interests of 25 member lines and participates in the regulatory and policy development process while supporting measures that foster a safe, secure and healthy cruise ship environment. CLIA is also engaged in travel agent training, research and marketing communications to promote the value and desirability of cruise vacations and counts as members 16,000 travel companies. For more informtion on CLIA, the cruise industry, and CLIA-member lines visit www.cruise.org.

About CLIA 

The nonprofit Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) is North America's largest cruise industry organization. CLIA represents the interests of 25 member lines and participates in the regulatory and policy development process while supporting measures that foster a safe, secure and healthy cruise ship environment. CLIA is also engaged in travel agent training, research and marketing communications to promote the value and desirability of cruise vacations and counts as members 16,000 travel companies. For more information on CLIA, the cruise industry, and CLIA-member lines visit www.cruising.org. 

Like our co-founders, Mark is a true visionary and accomplished executive leader. He was founding team member at StarCite where he most recently held the position of Managing Director/Vice President, International Markets. According to Jo Kling, “Mark’s track record with StarCite paves the way for Seasite’s strategic relationships with travel professionals around the world who want to add cruise venues…to reap the benefits and ROI of the underutilized cruise sector.”

“Mark has a reputation as an innovative leader,” adds Joyce Landry. “That, along with being extremely focused and strategic, are among his many attributes that will help take us to greater heights.”

Read the press release to learn more about our new COO, Mark Phillips: www.businesswire.com.