Marketing/ Public Relations Updates:  

  • TravMedia International Media Marketplace, January 22 – 23, 2025 
    • During a two-day conference in New York City, MVCB met with over 28 top-tier media outlets to share our message that Maui is welcoming visitors. Publications included Bon Appétit, Travel + Leisure, AFAR, Fodor’s, The Boston Globe, AAA, National Geographic Traveler, USA Today, and Condé Nast Traveler. HVCB coordinated the participation of PR representatives from all island chapters. We are now following up with media on story ideas, additional information, and potential visits to Maui in 2025 and 2026. 

 

  • Our February Message from Maui Nui was distributed on February 10 to over 2,000 stakeholders, MVCB partners, national/international/local media, travel advisors and wholesalers. 

 

  • At the MVCB Canoe Crop Corner at Wailuku First Friday event on February 7 we launched the Anything but I‘a Poke Recipe Contest   
    • This exciting contest invites Maui Nui residents to create unique poke recipes featuring local ingredients other than fish. Aspiring home chefs will have the chance to showcase their culinary creativity and compete for the grand prize: a trip to Las Vegas —and, of course, ultimate bragging rights. Entry information, contest rules, and more details were unveiled during the event. We invite you to contribute your recipe! A special mahalo to Maui Ocean Center, Seascape, Southwest Airlines, Vacations Hawai‘i, Pacific Media Group, KHON2 and County of Maui Office of Economic Development for the support and sponsorship.    
    • ‘Ulu was the featured canoe crop at Wailuku First Friday. Seascape Restaurant at Maui Ocean Center served delicious samples of his Mocha ‘Ulu Pie. This pie combines organically grown ‘ulu with macadamia nuts, coconut, coffee and honey. Cultural advisors U‘i Kahue and Mario Siatris from Maui Grown 808, shared the history and significance of ‘Ulu through engaging talk story and demonstrations.   

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  • February Media Visits include: 
    • Julie Oringer, Travel + Leisure: February 15 – 23 
    • Daniel Scheffler, New York Times, Feb 12 - 19  

 

  • While in Los Angeles for the Travel + Adventure Show, MVCB had the opportunity to meet with the Visit Pasadena marketing team to share our aloha and insights from the Maui Wildfires, offering support as they navigate their own wildfire recovery. We also met with the media listed below as a result of being in Phoenix and Los Angeles for the Travel + Adventure Shows: 
    • Misty Pollina, The Pixie Planner 
    • Lindsey & Manuel, MoutStewards.com 
    • Doug Blouin, Breaking Par 
    • Peter Greenberg, Travel Editor CBS 
    • Steve Feldman, KFNX – The Pulse of Arizona 
    • Ann Dimond, Outside, NatGeo 
    • Jenny Peters, USA Today, LA Times 
    • Chris Gialanella, LA Magazine 
    • Johnny Jet, Johnnyjet.com  
    • Angela Sun, NBC Sportscaster 


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Travel Trade Shows and Event Highlights:  

  • Phoenix Travel + Adventure Show, Feb 15 – 16 
  • Maui Visitors Bureau (MVCB) proudly showcased the latest happenings on Maui at the Travel & Adventure Shows, joined by our valued partners, Royal Lahaina Resort and OUTRIGGER Kā‘anapali  Beach Resort & Spa. We shared Maui’s unmatched experiences and warm aloha with an eager audience. 

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  • Los Angeles Travel + Adventure Show, Feb 22-23 
  • MVCB also expanded its West Coast outreach by making its debut at the Los Angeles Travel & Adventure Show. Among 400+ exhibitors and a 30% increase in ticket sales over 2024, our Maui messaging resonated with travelers and industry professionals alike, inspiring future visits to the Valley Isle. 

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Upcoming Trade Shows & Events: 

  • Bay Area Travel + Adventure Show, March 15 – 16  
  • MVCB will have a presence at this show in our continued efforts to target West Coast travelers.   
  • Holoholo Maui Nui Sales Blitz, March 24 - 28 
    • This is an educational opportunity for Active Travel Agents in Texas. Cities to be covered include: 
      • Austin Texas 
      • Houston Texas 
      • Allen Texas 
      • DFW Texas 
  • We’re delighted to report that the response from our partners was amazing, and the show is completely sold out. In the spirit of sharing our aloha with the Texas community, June Pagdilao, MVCB Director of Sales, 3 entertainers, 8 of our partners will be volunteering at the Charlies Center in Austin, Texas on Monday, March 24, 2025. Mahalo to all of our participating partners and entertainment:  
    • Partners:  
    • Michael Takamura – Maui Ocean Center 
    • Amber Tesoro – Outrigger Kāʻanapali Beach Resort 
    • Tami Bernades – The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua 
    • Mattie Gideon – Maui Seaside & Hampton Inn & Suites Maui Northshore 
    • Ashley Caroll – Wailea Beach Resort 
    • Nathan Ugale – Westin Maui Resort and Spa 
    • Joanna Nakihei – Sheraton Maui Resort and Sap 
    • Dawn Kāne – Maui Condominium and Home 

 

  • Entertainers, ‘Aumakua Productions/Wonderful World of Aloha 
  • Keoni Manuel 
  • Chloe Tolentino 
  • Adam Pridgren