Marketing/ Public Relations Updates:  

  • Anything but I‘a Poke Recipe Contest Update:

    • This exciting contest has invited Maui Nui residents to create unique poke recipes featuring local ingredients other than fish. Aspiring home chefs are showcasing their culinary creativity to compete for the grand prize: a trip to Las Vegas—and, of course, ultimate bragging rights. Entry information, contest rules, and more details are on MauiTourism.org. The recipes submitted thus far have been very creative with ingredients like used mushrooms, tofu, sweet potatoes, beets and pineapple. The deadline to enter is March 24 and the contest winner will be announced at the Maui Ocean Center Earth Day event on April 26.  
    • 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.   

  • While MVCB was in the Bay Area for the Travel + Adventure Show, March 15-16, we took the opportunity to connect with the following media: 

    • Janel Adronico: ABC7 KGOTV 
    • Mimi Towle + Nikki Wood: Marin Magazine & Local Getaways 
    • Elsa Radovan: Bay Country/Mix 106.5 KEZR  
    • Ginny Prior: Mercury News & East Bay Times   
    • Kimberly Pong: Come Along with Polly Content Creator 
    • Angelia & Chris Wong: HelloAngelia Content Creator 

Local Getaways

  • Visit Sonoma Valley Podcast   

  • While in the Bay Area, Sherry Duong and Leanne Pletcher met with Tim Zahner, Executive Director of Visit Sonoma Valley. Tim, who served as the keynote speaker for the 2024 MVCB Annual Meeting, shared insights from his experiences with the 2017 fires. During the visit, Sherry and Leanne had the opportunity to be interviewed on The Sonoma Spiel, Sonoma Valley’s #1 podcast, where they highlighted what makes Maui No Ka ‘Oi and encouraged travel to the island. 

Visit Sonoma Valley Podcast

  • Upcoming Events 

    • MVCB will be sharing our enthusiasm for the tourism industry with high school students with at the Maui ClimbHI 13th annual Leadership Exploration Inspiratoin (LEI) Exposure Fiair Lei event at the Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa on April 17

Travel Trade Shows and Event Highlights:  

  • Bay Area Travel + Adventure Show, March 15 - 16 

    • MVCB proudly showcased the latest Maui happenings at the Bay Area Travel & Adventure Show in a strong target market for Maui. We shared Maui’s unmatched experiences and warm aloha with an eager audience of nearly 12,000 participants, including travel agents, media and consumers. 

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Trade Shows & Events: 

  • 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