Learn more about Celebrity Cruises.

If case you missed Joyce’s first three “packing tips and tricks” videos, here are the links:

Part 1: Smart Packing for Business Travel
Part 2: “Weekend Warrior” and Adventure Travel Tips
Part 3: Cool Tools

The Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) bestowed the award at its annual Summit & Salute to Women’s Business Enterprises. According to a WBENC press release,

WBENC’s Women’s Business Enterprise Stars illustrate this country’s vital ability to build successful businesses. The women’s strategic vision, business acumen and sheer talent combine to meet their corporate clients’ complex needs and propel our economy forward.

Built on Vision, Powered by Relationship

Thirty years ago, Joyce and her business partner Jo Kling shared a novel idea – to use ships as non-traditional venues for business meetings, conferences and conventions. When they launched their company, they had little money and no clients. But what they did have was a clear vision and a lot of tenacity.

Today, Landry & Kling is recognized as the premiere business-to-business resource for meeting and event professionals, and the L&K team has planned and operated hundreds of programs at sea. The key to their success? According to Joyce Landry,

Do what you love. Do what makes your heart sing. Stay focused. Keep at it and don’t give up.

The theme of the WBENC summit, “Join Forces. Succeed Together”,  also resonated with Joyce, who explains that the foundation and core value of  Landry & Kling is strong relationships: “Throughout the years, our collaboration with diverse cruise lines, suppliers, and organizations around the world has resulted in expanded services, strategic partnerships, and lasting friendships.”

In mentoring other women entrepreneurs, Joyce frequently use a quote that’s now part of Landry & Kling’s corporate culture: “There’s always an elegant solution.”

About WBENC

Many corporations and government agencies track their spending with women-owned and other diversity suppliers and look to the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) as a supplier resource. They rely on WBENC’s certification as an integral part of their supplier diversity programs.

WBENC’s national standard of certification is a meticulous process including an in-depth review of the business, its records and an office inspection. The certification process is designed to confirm the business is at least 51% owned, operated and controlled by a woman or women.

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

Visit www.WBENC.org for more information.

But you might want to take another look at week-long cruises, especially when you’re planning an incentive travel program or more complex meetings. Sometimes, more really is better – for the success of your program and a healthy return on investment.

Here are the top 5 reasons to book a 7-night cruise for your event:

1. More Motivation = Successful Incentive Program

When it comes to motivating sales and on-the-job performance, nothing beats a  7-night cruise to an alluring destination. A shorter cruise to more commonly visited ports just doesn’t have the same sizzle factor. A few extra days will give your attendees more time to relax, enjoy in-depth destination experiences, and make stronger connections. They’ll return to work refreshed and invigorated, with a renewed sense of loyalty to your organization.

 2. No Additional Time Out-of-Office

A typical 4 night cruise sails from Monday to Friday, while 5-night cruises depart Monday and return on Saturday. Most 7-night itineraries follow a Saturday-Saturday or Sunday-Sunday pattern, so your program participants won’t lose additional days out of the office by cruising for a week. What they’ll gain is more weekend fun, meaningful travel experiences and quality time with each other.

3. Better Mix of Business and Pleasure

A typical 7-night cruise include visits to five ports and two full days at sea, ideal for scheduling your meetings and business sessions. Your attendees will have more time for adventures ashore – and shared travel experiences lead to increased camaraderie. Days at sea are also great for team-building events, casual meetings with colleagues, sports activities, or just relaxing in the spa or on the pool deck. And with all the included activities and entertainment on board, you won’t have to worry about planning guest/spouse/family program activities – they’re built right in!

4. Greater Variety of Ships

There’s nothing like the prospect of sailing on a sparkling new ship to motivate performance, create excitement, and boost conference attendance. Short itineraries that are less than 7 nights are rarely offered on new or deluxe ships. Choose a 7-night cruise you’ll have your choice of fresh new ships, sailing vessels, mega-yachts, expedition ships, plus upper-premium and deluxe all-inclusive ships.

5. More Destination Choices

Typical 4 & 5-night cruises from Florida and the Gulf Coast sail to the Bahamas and close-to-home Caribbean islands. Short cruises to Bermuda are popular choices from Northeast ports, while 4-night Baja Mexico cruises sail from Southern California.

But when you consider 7-night cruises, your destination variety is virtually unlimited! You and your group can sail deep into the Caribbean, explore Alaska, visit Northern Europe, Eastern or Western Mediterranean, Costa Rica or South America  - even more exotic islands of Hawaii or Tahiti.

Ready to Plan Your Cruise Event?

We’re ready to help you choose the best ship and itinerary to meet your program requirements. Click here or give us a call at 800-448-9002 /International: 1 -305-661-1880 . Or, send us an email for more information: inquiry@landrykling.com.

More meeting and event planning pros are discovering that cruise ships are terrific venues for corporate meetings, incentive travel programs, and group events of all types and sizes.

The cruise specialists at Landry & Kling have been helping organizations plan successful cruise programs for over 30 years, and they’ve put together a list of the most popular types of events at sea - including a few you probably never thought of. Here is a brief summary:

Top 10 Most Popular Types of Cruise Events

1. Incentive / Employee Recognition Cruises

Only 24% of the U.S. population has been on a cruise, and the all-inclusive nature of a ship makes a cruise incentive especially appealing! Read a few incentive cruise success stories.

2. Customer Appreciation Cruise

A ship’s self-contained environment makes cruising ideal for relationship-building; and with a variety of  on board dining venues, bars, lounges and theaters, you’ll have plenty of opportunities for entertaining your customers.

3. Business Meetings

Today’s cruise ships offer meeting planners complimentary use of dedicated conference centers, flexible meeting space and built-in A/V. Unique spaces and new destinations also lead to creative thinking and increased camaraderie. Read a few meeting at sea success stories.

4. Conferences, Conventions and Trade Shows

With capacity for up to 5,000 people, a ship is a convenient, self-contained venue that can add pizzazz to increase attendance and control cost.  Read about a few trade show at sea success stories.

5. Continuing Education at Sea

Planners of medical, legal and other professional continuing education programs are using cruise ships to increase attendance and boost satisfaction ratings.  Here are two continuing education at sea success stories.

6. Executive Retreats

For the ultimate in security and privacy, consider a small ship or yacht charter. If a full-ship charter isn’t feasible, take a look at the “ship within a ship” private cruise ship enclaves.

7. Theme or Special Interest Cruises

An affinity, themed or special interest cruise is the best way to bring like-minded people together to share and celebrate their common interest. Ships provide a budget-friendly alternative to land-based venues. Read about a few successful theme cruises.

8. Fund Raisers at Sea

Universities, hospitals and other organizations motivate donations through travel programs that earmark a portion of the cruise price for a worthy cause.  Rock Legends II Cruise is a successful example.

9. Full-Ship Charters

For the ultimate security and prestige, charter a vessel for your organization’s exclusive use. The opportunities for customization are limitless. Read a few full-ship charter success stories.

10. Dockside Charters or “Floating Hotels”

If there’s a shortage of hotel space for a city-wide convention, sporting event or global gathering in a port city, consider a dockside charter to accommodate the overflow. Read about successful Dockside Charter programs.

 Read more about the Top 10 Types of Cruise Events.

To illustrate this point, Colleen Schneiderjohn, Landry & Kling’s Director of Business Development, told us about a recent conversation she had with a meeting planner. The planner needed a venue for her association’s annual conference, but had faced certain challenges in the past and was willing to try a different approach.

Here’s a snapshot of the previous conferences:

• One day event
• Vendors have limited time to spend with attendees
• Some attendees never make it to the exhibit hall
• Difficult to spend time with attendees’ to learn their real needs
• Attendees don’t have time to discuss vendors’ products/offers
• Difficult to build real relationships because of limited time together

Obviously, this association’s one-day event model was no longer working. In Colleen’s words:

“I listened, and this is what I heard the planner say: ‘We need to spend more time with the attendees’. And so I offered a new concept – one that would solve the planner’s challenge.”

A New Model: Three-Day Cruise Conference

Colleen proposed a conference at sea during a 3-night cruise to Bahamas. She explained how thinking “outside the box” would bring attendees and vendors together and help build lasting relationships (and generate leads for the vendors). Here’s how:

• Cocktail Reception on first night of cruise includes attendees and vendors (complimentary)
• 3 Evenings of dinners. The association could schedule vendors with attendees at the tables rotating each evening (meals included with cruise)
• Ship is a Self-Contained Environment -More time to mingle and network between conference sessions
• Days in Port – Activities planned together with shared interest
• Shore Excursions – Vendors could pay for excursions pre-selected by attendees, and include a personal note with tickets. (Examples in Bahamas: Organized Golf Tournament in Nassau, Full day at Atlantis Resort, Rainbow Reef and Snorkel Tour)
• Conference – Vendors have 3 days to sell products/service and build trusted relationships (more quality time with attendees away from the conference floor)
• Cabins are double occupancy – Vendors have an opportunity to bring spouse/guest and connect with attendees and their guest/spouse on a more personal level
• Entertain more with less cost - actually no cost! Meals and evening entertainment are included on the ship

Additional Sponsorship Opportunities

• Wine with dinner
• Special activities or team building event in port or on the ship
• Special logo gift delivered to attendee cabins daily
• Special invitation literature delivered to attendee cabins daily
• Sponsor dinner in Specialty Restaurants
• Special dessert with company logo
• Professional photography service (group photo or individual)
• On-board credit for spa treatment or beverage package

A three-day conference at sea is an “elegant solution” for all

A conference at sea is guaranteed to create buzz, boost attendance, and generate leads. Attendees will have more time to enjoy the ship’s complimentary amenities and explore exciting ports of call. Vendors will have more opportunities to make solid business connections and nurture relationships with attendees. The shared experiences will create lasting memories for everyone.

And, as we like to say at Landry & Kling, “Friendships made at sea are said to last a lifetime.”

To read more customer success stories, go to landrykling.com.

The itinerary possibilities are only outdone by the many options and all-inclusive amenities offered aboard – from butler service in every luxurious suite to fine dining in six different restaurants.  Silversea’s award-winning staff will take care of every detail from the moment you and your guests step on board. With only your group on board, you’ll have their full attention.

And all of this is offered for the amazing charter price of only $367,500.00.  You’ll experience the best of Europe by sea and enjoy all-inclusive luxury – all under $230 per person per day!

Now’s the time to give your group an experience they ‘ll never forget. Click here to book or give us a call at 800.448.9002 or +1.305.661.1880 to learn more.

And remember, as Joyce likes to say, “It’s the journey that counts!”

To watch Parts One and Two of Joyce’s “Packing Tips & Tricks”, click here.
For more Landry & Kling videos, click here.

Here’s Help – Add This to Your Planning Toolkit

Landry & Kling has gathered the best money-saving secrets from meeting professionals and industry sources, plus we’ve added our own tried-and-true tips to make your job easier. Our “Ultimate Guide to Trim the Fat and Keep the Sizzle” checklist contains 35 smart and creative ways to save money and add huge impact to your events.

Download the free ebook to learn:

•  How to dramatically slash your F&B budget – without eliminating meals
• Where to find state-of-the-art A/V equipment, absolutely free to use
• How to add stunning visual effects to your event without spending a penny
• Plus 32 more money-saving, impact-boosting tips!

To download your free copy of “Trim the Fat and Keep the Sizzle”, click here.