Laura Blanco has been promoted to director of sales at Cruise Planners/American Express, a home-based travel agent franchise network in the cruise industry headquartered in Coral Springs. She will assist the company's 700 plus franchise owners around the country with effective business solutions for sales and business growth. She joined the company's home Office team in April 2010 and was serving as manager of the tour department before the promotion. Before joining the company, she was business development manager for Costa Cruise Lines and Sandals and Beaches Resorts.
Rolando Aedo promoted to EVP and chief marketing officer at Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau
Rolando Aedo has been promoted to executive vice president and chief marketing officer of the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (GMCVB). He joined the bureau in 1994 as head of marketing programs to assist in the recovery of tourism in the areas of the community affected by Hurricane Andrew. He has since held progressively responsible positions, most recently as senior vice president of marketing and tourism for the past three and a half years. In his new role, he will continue to supervise GMCVB’s marketing and tourism team. He also will work on key industry, management and operational issues.
Jeanna Steele named vice president of operations at Landry & Kling
Jeanna Steele has been named vice president of operations at Landry & Kling, a company specializing in cruise events and meetings at sea. She will oversee all aspects of the company's cruise program operations by providing leadership to the operations staff, while managing client and vendor relationships. Before joining the company full time, she helped plan and operate 20 events on cruise ships, including 14 full-ship charters. During her years as an independent meeting planner, Landry & Kling engaged her as operations team leader overseeing three dockside ship charters for the 2009 Summit of the Americas and Commonwealth Heads of Government Meetings in Trinidad and Tobago.
Kevin Richeson named vice president, shipyard human rescources at Carnival Cruise Linds
Kevin D. Richeson has been named vice president, shipboard human resources at Miami-based Carnival Cruise Lines. In this newly created position, he will have overall responsibility for the integration and management of core human resource functions for shipboard hotel and non-officer deck and engine crew. He also will develop compensation and career development in collaboration with CCL’s sister lines and corporate human resources and manage crew-recruiting activities overseas. Richeson comes to Carnival after a 21-year career with The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, where he rose to vice president for global human resources operations.
Gallery ONE hotel in Fort Lauderdale names new manager
John Allan has been named hotel manager of Gallery ONE, a Doubletree Guest Suites Hotel, located on the Intracoastal Waterway in Fort Lauderdale. In his new role, he will oversee the operations and management of the 231-unit hotel. He was assistant general manager and director of sales of the Hilton Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort, where he oversaw the rooms division and sales operation for the hotel.
MSC Cruises hires a vice president, promotes another
MSC Cruises in Fort Lauderdale has named Roy Grimsland vice president of sales, and Gail Nicolaus has been promoted to vice president of marketing, public relations and customer service.
Roy Grimsland has more than 30 years’ experience in sales and marketing management in the travel industry and has held senior sales and marketing positions with Paul Gauguin Cruises, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Royal Cruise Lines and Capella Hotels.
Gail Nicolaus will continue to manage all of the marketing efforts for the U.S. office as she has done the past seven years.
Jungle Island appoints director of marketing
The Greater Miami & The Beaches Hotel Association names president, CEO
Wendy Kallergis has been named president and chief executive of The Greater Miami & The Beaches Hotel Association. Kallergis was most recently president and chief executive of the Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce. She will work to grow Miami as a top-tier travel destination.
