MTEC thanks tourism summit sponsors, supporters

Marianas tourism industry pioneer David M. Sablan receives a plaque of appreciation at the Marianas Tourism Education Council Tourism Summit on Jan. 26, 2017, at Fiesta Resort & Spa. Pictured from left are MTEC board members Gordon Marciano and Catherine Perry Harris, Sablan, and MTEC chair Vicky Benavente, vice chair Wendi Herring, member Glenn Policare, treasurer Shamika Ratwani, and secretary Martin Duenas. (MTEC)

The Marianas Tourism Education Council Tourism Summit for CNMI Public School System My Wave Club students on Jan. 26 allowed students to “Discover My Marianas.”

“The tourism summit was a rousing success, thanks to the overwhelming support of various sponsors and supporters,” said MTEC chair Vicky Benavente. “We couldn’t have done it without them.”

Students at the Marianas Tourism Education Council Tourism Summit on Jan. 26, 2017, at Fiesta Resort & Spa brainstorm their favorite places in the Marianas that they would promote to potential visitors. (MTEC)

This year’s keynote speaker was TripAdvisor head of destination marketing APAC Sarah Mathews, who challenged students to take initiative in promoting the Marianas online.

Christopher A. Concepcion, managing director of the Marianas Visitors Authority, gave an overview of the Marianas tourism industry with the help of three impromptu MY WAVE Club members from Saipan Southern High School.

Dino Manning, president and head coach of the Marianas Outrigger Club, shared the inspiration story of the team’s success.

Emma Perez, co-founder and president of the board of directors of 500 Sails, inspired students with the vision of 500 traditional Chamorro and Carolinian proas on the water in the Marianas again.

Rachel Taitano, special assistant to the Marianas Visitors Authority managing director, teaches students about the marketing and promotions of the MVA at the Marianas Tourism Education Council Tourism Summit on Jan. 26, 2017, at Fiesta Resort & Spa. (MTEC)

Northern Marianas historian John Castro encouraged children to learn about the cultural traditions and history that make the Marianas unique.

Karen Joy Binuag, a graduate of the American Hotel & Lodging Education Institute, shared her personal experiences with the students.

“We also had a cadre of phenomenal exhibitors who shared various aspects of the Marianas with students,” said Benavente. “Really, there was so much more they could’ve shared, with more time, and we thank them all for being a part of the event.”

Offices and organizations provided hands-on demonstrations at breakout stations during the summit: Marianas Visitors Authority, Micronesia Islands Nature Alliance, Commonwealth Council for Arts & Culture, Coastal Resources Management, National Park Service, Historic Preservation Office, Northern Marianas Humanities Council, Division of Fish & Wildlife, and the Northern Marianas Trades Institute.

The summit, which also featured an appreciation plaque presentation from MTEC to retiring long-time industry leader David M. Sablan, was also sponsored by T Galleria, Pacific Trading Co., the Hotel Association of the Northern Mariana Islands, and the Marianas Visitors Authority.

“The financial support of our sponsors made the comfortable, large venue at Fiesta Resort & Spa possible,” said Benavente. “Of course, the MVA is MTEC’s most fervent partner, also providing outstanding staff support to coordinate the event, once again.”

The event was also supported by the Office of the Governor, Public School System and Dave Electronics Center.

MTEC is a non-profit organization formed in 2002 to heighten the community’s awareness of the importance of tourism to the wellbeing of the people of the Northern Mariana Islands. (MVA)