(l-r) Julie-Ann Bicoy, Molokai Visitors Association; Candy Aluli, Napili Kai Beach Resort; Charity Texeira, Lanai Visitors Bureau
(l-r) Terryl Vencl, Maui Visitors Bureau & Charlene Kaʻuhane, Kaʻuhane Inc.
Cultural Specialist Pueo Pata entertains with his folklore & songs
They came, they spoke and boy, did they conquer... our hearts that is! It was only half-way through the presentation, but judging from the smiles and nods of those in attendance, everyone was certainly buying whatever was being sold.
The Maui Visitors Bureau (MVB) was in Vancouver, its only Canadian stop and the final destination on the road trip that took them to Portland and Seattle. Despite the rather formal seating layout – it was a roundtable format, akin to a board meeting – in between presentations, attendees were encouraged to get up and indulge their tummies from the buffet spread at the back of the Impressionist Gallery function room at The Listel Hotel.
Our host delegation of 14 also included representatives from Molokai and Lanai. Led by the Maui Visitors Bureau’s PR Director, Keli’i Brown, the visitors took turns updating their respective products. The Bureau also took the opportunity to announce its new branding, “Three islands, unlimited experiences”. MVB’s Executive Director Terryl Vencl explained the tagline descriptors for each destination as: Maui – captivating; Molokai – enlightening and Lanai – embracing.
All this talk about the temptations on offer including creative concoctions of local cuisine, hiking in the wilds of Lanai, golfing along the ocean front or just soaking in the R&R on the beach, transported the audience away from the cool and rainy weather of Vancouver’s non-summer. And, the fragrance from the real flower leis on our shoulders helped set the mood.
To wrap up the event, cultural specialist Pueo Pata, provided a comical rendition of a traditional Hawaiian song on his ukulele. Music, fun, relaxation, food and romance... hey, sign me up for Maui anytime.
The Hawaiian contingent consisted of the Maui Visitors Bureau, Napili Kai Beach Resort, Honua Kai Resort & Spa, Kaanapali Beach Resort, Kaanapali Beach Hotel, Trilogy (a sailboat company), Wailea Resort Association, Destination Resorts, Travaasa Hana, Molokai Visitors Association and Lanai Visitors Bureau.
