PATA Micronesia holds tri-annual chapter meeting in Guam

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Written by Linda Hohnholz

TUMON, Guam – From across the Micronesia region, members of the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Micronesia Chapter gathered for the organization’s tri-annual chapter meeting held in Guam on D

TUMON, Guam – From across the Micronesia region, members of the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Micronesia Chapter gathered for the organization’s tri-annual chapter meeting held in Guam on December 5-6, 2014.

“With the adoption of chapter goals for next year and the election of our team 2015/2016 officers, PATA Micronesia’s third tri-annual meeting was very productive. It was also an excellent opportunity for our chapter members to network with each other and with members of the Guam Visitors Bureau,” said Pilar Laguaña, PATA Micronesia Chairwoman.

Newly elected officers are: Chairwoman Pilar Laguaña, Guam Visitors Bureau; Vice Chairman Bermance Aldis, Federated States of Micronesia Visitors Board; Secretary Don Evans, Yap Visitors Bureau; Treasurer Judy Torres, Marianas Visitors Authority; and Alternate Director Monty McDowell, Advance Management Inc.

The chapter events began with a Welcome Reception held at the Lotte Hotel with the GVB Deputy General Manager Nathan Denight and the Legislative Secretary and Tourism Chairwoman of the 32nd Guam Legislature Senator Tina Muna-Barnes welcoming the chapter delegates and General Manager Karl Pangelinan addressed the chapter Executive Committee, announcing his seat on the Executive Board of PATA.

Newly appointed committee leadership includes: Marketing Co-Chairs Katie Black of Mystical Tours and Adventure and Megan Statkus of Axe Murderer Tours Guam; Marketing Subcommittee for Public Relations Catherine Perry of Gallery Pacific; Education Co-Chairs Monty McDowell of Advance Management Inc. and Carol Cruz of Guam Community College; and Membership Co-Chairs Sam Scott of Sam’s Tours Palau and Barbara Taitano of Mystical Tours and Adventures.

The Education Committee will continue implementing and providing training opportunities slated to begin Summer 2015 and will also resubmit their PATA grant application to implement the ServSafe program in Micronesia, a U.S. national standard in food and beverage management and safety that will raise the standard of food service in the region.

The Membership Committee and Marketing Committee introduced a new program that will utilize the chapter’s Social Media Platform to implement a “Micronesia Video Challenge” contest to generate fresh video content and to engage the chapter’s social media platforms to participate in and will continue its important work in bringing the region together on international forums when possible.

The Marketing Committee will be finalizing the chapter’s Regional Calendar of Events to utilize during discussions with the airlines and industry members for the chapter’s future program planning.

Other Highlights of the PATA Micronesia Tri-Annual Chapter Meeting

Guest speaker Theresa Arriola, Chairwoman for the Festival of Pacific Arts (FESTPAC) 2016 in Guam with an anticipated 27 countries joining from May 22 – June 4, 2016, updated the chapter members about next year’s planning. FESTPAC is held every four years and brings together artists and cultural practitioners from around the Pacific region for two weeks of festivity. It is recognized as a major regional cultural event, and is the largest gathering in which Pacific people unite to enhance their respect and appreciation of one another. It is considered as the Olympics of the Arts and Guam will have the honor of hosting in 2016.

The tri-annual chapter meeting concluded with an industry mixer with members of the Guam Visitors Bureau, the Japan Guam Tourism Council (JGTC), Korea Guam Tourism Association (KGTA) and the chapter members at the Hyatt Regency Guam on December 5. The next Tri-Annual Chapter meeting is slated to take place on April 6-9, 2014, in the Marshall Islands.

Special thanks to the following sponsors: Guam Visitors Bureau, Macy’s Guam, CAHA Art Gallery, Lotte Hotel, Pika’s Café, Bayview Hotel, United Airlines, Garden Villa Hotel, Grand Plaza Hotel, Guam Airport Hotel, Guam Plaza Hotel, Guam Reef Hotel, Oceanview Hotel, Palm Ridge, Tumon Bay Capital Hotel, Aqua Suites, Avis Car Rental, Hertz Rent A Car, Islander Rent A Car, National Car Rental, and Micronesian Cruise Association.

PHOTO: 2015-2016 PATA Micronesia Officers (L to R): Sam Scott – Sam’s Tours Palau (Membership Co-Chairman); Monty McDowell – Advanced Management, Inc. Guam (Alternate Director/Education Committee Co-Chair) Katie Black – Mystical Tours and Adventures, Guam (Marketing Committee Co-Chairperson); Pilar Laguana – Guam Visitors Bureau (PATA Chairwoman 2015-2016); Bobbie Taitano – Mystical Tours and Adventures Guam (Membership Committee Co-Chairperson); Megan Statkus – Axe Murderer Tours, Guam (Marketing Committee Co-Chairwoman); Judy Torres – Marianas Visitors Authority (PATA Treasurer 2015-2016), Catherine Perry – Gallery Pacific, Saipan (Marketing Sub-committee, Public Relations); Bermance Aldis – FSM Visitors Board (PATA Vice Chairman 2015/2016) Not shown: Don Evans – Yap Visitors Bureau (PATA Secretary 2015/2016)

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Linda Hohnholz

Editor in chief for eTurboNews based in the eTN HQ.

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