MTEC Tourism Summit draws more supporters

D&Q International resident manager Max Kretzers, third from right, present a $1,000 check on Jan. 15, 2020, for the Marianas Tourism Education Council’s Tourism Summit on Jan. 23, 2020. From left, D&Q sales manager Marilyn Marron, MTEC treasurer Robert Ryan Yulo, MTEC board member Glenn Policare, MTEC chair Vicky Benavente, Kretzers, MTEC secretary Martin Duenas, and MTEC board member Catherine Perry. (MTEC)

D&Q International and Saipan Ice & Water Co. have joined the growing list of sponsors for the Marianas Tourism Education Council Tourism Summit on Jan. 23, 2020.

Executives of D&Q International presented a $1,000 check to the MTEC board on Jan. 15, 2020, and Saipan Ice & Water Co. donated $1,000 worth of water.

“Each year, the support from D&Q and Saipan Ice& Water continues to grow and we are so grateful for their contribution to the annual Tourism Summit,” said MTEC chair Vicky Benavente.

Other summit sponsors are E-Land Group (Kensington and PIC Saipan),T Galleria by DFS, TSL Foundation, Kanoa Resort, Fiesta Resort & Spa Saipan, Bridge Capital LLC, Hotel Association of the Northern Mariana Islands, IT&E, Matson Navigation Co., Triple J Saipan, Saipan Ice & Water, and Sorenson Media Group.

The theme of this year’s summit, co-organized by the Marianas Visitors Authority, is “VolunTOURISM: Learn today. Lead tomorrow.” reflecting the opportunities available to students to engage with the industry and learn today in preparation for the leadership roles they will take in the industry in the future. This year’s summit will be held at Fiesta Resort & Spa Saipan, with students from MY WAVE—Marianas Youth Welcome All Visitors Enthusiastically—Clubs in grades 5-12 chosen by their respective schools to participate.

Participating schools will be Kagman, Saipan Southern, and Marianas high schools; Chacha, Dandan, Hopwood, and Tanapag middle schools; Kagman, San Vicente, Koblerville, Francisco M. Sablan, W.S. Reyes, Oleai, and Garapan elementary schools; and Da’ok Academy.

Saipan Ice & Water Co. production manager Lisa Panuringan and chief financial officer Arman Amog, third and fourth from left, donate 20 cases of water on Jan. 15, 2020, for the Marianas Tourism Education Council Tourism Summit on Jan. 23, 2020. From left, MTEC board member Catherine Perry, MTEC treasurer Robert Ryan Yulo, Panuringan, Amog, MTEC chair Vicky Benavente, secretary Martin Duenas, and MTEC board member Glenn Policare. (MTEC)

The annual summit will feature Micronesia Islands Nature Alliance executive director Roberta Guerrero, CNMI Public School System middle school teacher Victor Cabrera, American Red Cross-NMI Chapter executive director John Hirsch, and Saipan Chamber of Commerce financial and data management coordinator Franco M. Santos.

The summit will also feature exhibits by the MVA, American Red Cross-NMI Chapter, Bureau of Environmental and Coastal Quality, Carolinian Affairs Office, Northern Marianas Humanities Council, Office of Indigenous Affairs, Northern Marianas College, MINA, Northern Mariana Islands Museum of History & Culture,Northern Marianas Technical Institute, 500 Sails, SeaTouch, Sea Turtle Program under the Department of Land and Natural Resources, and Paseo de Marianas Productions.

For more information, contact MVA community projects specialist Jack Aranda at jaranda@mymarianas.com or MVA community projects manager Martin Duenas at mduenas@mymarianas.com or call 664-3210. (PR)