Larry Kiang '08

Senior Sales Manager & Production Coordinator,

Sovereign Cruises

q: What do you do?

a: Sovereign Productions and Events is a full-service travel, event management, and production company that serves both religious and corporate companies. Our primary focus is meetings, conferences, and conventions; however, we can facilitate all types of events such as family or class reunions and alumni functions. Clients get an extraordinary value because we build a custom website for their events and take care of marketing and registration. In addition, we attend every event and handle all of the logistics and audio visual production.

q: What's your favorite part of the job?

a: Traveling the world on different cruises and at hotels and resorts. I love meeting new people, learning different cultures, and experiencing new adventures.

q: What's the greatest challenge?

a: The economy, as most companies are cutting back on their event and travel budgets. Another challenge is increased competition, from both online travel providers and other event management companies.

q: Do you stay in touch with any other UCF hospitality alums?

a: Absolutely. I still keep in touch with some high school friends who also graduated from Rosen like Jenny Harnish ’07 and Jordan Dowty ’07. I also see JP Philip '07, Nate Nakamura '06, Jessica Goldstein '06, Megan Oxman '06, and Shannon Cole '06 quite often. Of course Facebook has been great for keeping in touch with everyone.

q: Outside work...you're most likely to be seen?

a: Eating at one of Orlando’s fine restaurants. I’m a diehard foodie and love all types of cuisine.

q: Your biggest accomplishment since graduating, outside your career?

a: Being able to spend time and devote energy to my church, Faith Baptist Orlando. Another accomplishment is being able to plan and book great vacations for my family and friends.

q: How did UCF prepare you for what you do?

a: The Event track classes provided a great introduction to the meetings and event industry and paved a solid foundation. I enjoyed learning the industry terms and lingo and hearing first-hand experiences from professors like Premila Whitney. I also made many excellent connections while at UCF that will prove invaluable for my career.

q: How could the hospitality program have been better?

a: One recommendation is to create a Rosen online forum where students can discuss classes, trade textbooks, and have a general community.

q: A UCF memory?

a: Food Prep Class with Dr. Kevin Murphy. I loved learning how to cook, and the “Iron Chef” competition at the end was fun.

q: Favorite meal in Orlando?

a: The Prix Fixe Menu at Roy’s Hawaiian Fusion, especially the Melting Hot Chocolate Souffle for dessert!

q: On your iPod?

a: Mostly Contemporary Christian like Chris Tomlin, and some Big Band/Swing like Frank Sinatra and Michael Buble.

q: Little known fact about you?

a: I’ve been granted the title of “Scholarship King” at Rosen, according to Dr. Hyung-il Jung, who manages the scholarship award process. I won 3-4 a year including the Harris and Trisha Rosen Scholarship multiple times. I'm very thankful for all of the scholarships and I sincerely appreciate the generosity of the donors, especially Mr. Rosen.