WHO WE ARE
First Incentive Travel is a boutique corporate incentive travel agency, increasing people and business performance inspired by worlds most compelling destinations.
We help companies increase overall performance, boost motivation and increase company alignment, through sales incentive and reward programs, corporate meeting & events, corporate retreats and cruises, and company cohesion and team building activities.
Our Mission
Our mission is to create personal, inspiring and memorable local experiences that get the best out of your teams, fulfill your business objectives and drive your company forward.
Our Philosophy
We believe group traveling warms the heart, matures the soul and fuels happiness, thereby getting the best out of people and teams.
We believe in working respectfully with clients and our industry partners, providing professionalism with a friendly touch, and always challenging ourselves to deliver above and beyond.
PARTNERSHIPS
OUR TEAM
JOOST DE MEYER
Chief Executive Officer & Chairman
Joost was born in the Netherlands and is a hospitality industry veteran having worked in the Netherlands, Germany, United Kingdom, Austria, Croatia, Spain and resides since 1997 in the USA. He was named "Member of the Year" at the SITE International Conference 2005. During the IMEX Gala 2015 in Frankfurt, he received the SITE Master Motivator 2015 reward. He was a SITE International Board of Director of from January 2007 to December 2010.
Joost achieved his CITE (Certified Incentive Travel Executives) Certification in 2007 and the CIS (Certified Incentive Specialist) in 2015. To follow his own mantra "to never stop learning", Joost received his CITP (Certified Incentive Travel Professional) in 2019. Additionally, Joost is an MPI member and received his CMM (Certified Meeting Manager) Certification in 2005. He has also several certifications form CLIA (Cruise Line International Association).
IRIS LANGANKE
Chief Financial Officer and Vice-President
Born in Germany, Iris earned her degree in International Business Administration and Foreign Languages at universities in Montreal/Canada as well as Paris/France and Bonn/Germany. She then started her career in tourism and was quickly promoted to managing partner of L'TUR Tourismus in Mönchengladbach, Germany, the largest last minute tour-operator in Europe at that time. Later, Iris studied Spanish in Merida/Venezuela where she also worked for a multi-national incentive company in Caracas before coming to Florida to become an executive leader of First Incentive Travel in 1999. Iris is fortune enough to have visited around 100 countries and brings a wealth of destination knowledge to our clients.
MELANIE SELL
Senior Program Manager
Born and raised in Adelaide, Australia. Melanie received her Bachelor of Business degree in Tourism Management from Adelaide Institute of TAFE. After 2 years in tour wholesaling ventured into hospitality working in 5 star hotels and resorts across many departments including; front office, concierge, sales & marketing and catering over a 10 year span. After moving from Adelaide to Queensland’s Great Barrier Reef she made the decision to broaden her horizons a little further and moved to the United States to embark on new adventures, develop her career and travel.
LORISSA FENDRICH
Program manager
Born and raised in Orlando, Florida, Lorissa Fendrich graduated from the University of West Florida in Pensacola, where she also received a women's soccer scholarship. Lorissa has 15 years experience in the Hospitality Industry, gaining her experience with a local hospitality company in Orlando and later with the largest Destination Management Company in Orlando before joining the First Incentive Travel team.
ASHLEY MILES
Assistant Program manager
Born in Missouri, Ashley has lived in six states across the US. Ashley earned a BA in History from Cornell College then spent some time working in education and customer service training, and project management. Ashley shares our mutual passion for exploring new countries and local cultures. She spent a year as a Rotary exchange student in Třeboň, Czech Republic; following a semester of college in Moscow, Russia and interning in Prague. Ashley brings her knowledge and experience of Europe and Central America destinations to the First Incentive Travel team, works passionately on program research and assists with program planning and execution.
JANELLE STAFFORD
JUNIOR PROJECT MANAGER
Having lived in more than 10 different cities within the United States, Janelle Stafford settled in the Orlando, Florida area about 18 years ago and graduated from the University of Central Florida with a degree in Public Relations and Advertising. She has been working in the tradeshow/convention industry since 2006 and has been a professional photographer for more than a decade. In her career, she has experienced many aspects of events and event planning, both private and corporate, including on-site event coordination. She is excited to be bringing her professional experience to her position as a Junior Project Manager, here at First Incentive Travel.
ZAMAN ISHAAD
MARKETING & IT MANAGER
Zaman is dedicated to connecting with people and making a meaningful impact in the MICE industry. After pursuing a degree in Hospitality and Tourism Management from Ryerson University, he acquired the CMP (Certified Meeting Professional), DES (Digital Event Strategist), CED (Certified Event Designer) and CIS (Certified Incentive Specialist) designations. His passion is evident with 7 years of experience as a meeting planner and supplier, having worked with associations and corporations alike. His commitment to being an integral part of the events industry extends to both Canadian and international events, having planned incentives across 5 continents including South Africa and New Zealand. He is continuously working towards producing award-winning events for his clients, being an industry expert, and becoming the President of the MPI Toronto Chapter. He is a valued member of MPI (Meeting Professionals International), SITE (Society of Incentive Travel Excellence) and PCMA (Professional Convention Management Association).
MICK DE MEIJER
marketing
Mick is a brand and marketing specialist living in New York City and has helped major brands, enterprises and startups with their brand and business growth. He co-started Amsterdam based mobile marketing agency MobGen in 2009, and moved to New York in 2011 where he has had hands-on leadership roles for Meredith Corporation and at branding agency for New York’s most promising startups, Red Antler. In 2016, Mick co-founded creative custom framing service Framafoto. Over the last two years Mick has partnered with Joost and Melanie to grow the First Incentive Travel brand and he helps clients with their program’s communication strategy and execution. Mick has a Masters degree in New Media and Digital Culture from Utrecht University and studied Corporate Communication and Advertising at the Chinese University of Hong Kong.
