A Week of Hawaii Hires and Promotions

June 17, 2015By: Joe Pike

This week saw a slew of hires and promotions in Hawaii tourism from a new vice president of marketing for Travel Impressions to a new travel trade marketing manager for the Hawaii Visitors and Conventions Bureau. And Travel Agent has the details.

Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau Names New Travel Trade Marketing Manager 

The Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau (HVCB) recently announced that Erica Neves has joined the bureau as manager of travel trade marketing. She reports to Robyn Basso, senior director, travel industry partnerships.

Neves manages the implementation of HVCB’s travel trade marketing efforts, overseeing integration of Island Chapters in all major initiatives and events. She also develops and coordinates travel trade events and training, including trade shows, sales blitzes and webinars. Neves brings to the position more than 20 years of experience in regional tourism marketing, public relations, and advertising.

“We are pleased to welcome Erica to the HVCB ohana as her expansive industry knowledge will be an outstanding asset to our travel trade team,” said Basso in a written release. “Her diverse background in tourism marketing will play a key role in continuing to optimize HVCB’s various leisure and sales platforms.”

Neves is currently the co-founder and executive director for a charitable nonprofit, The Joshua Neves Children’s Foundation, and will continue to assist in evolving the nonprofit to a volunteer-run organization. She previously served as director of tourism and public relations for Ala Moana Center (GGP); director of corporate communications for Castle Resorts & Hotels; and regional communications manager for Starwood Hotels & Resorts in Hawaii and French Polynesia.

Margaret Cummisky to Lead Hawaiian Airlines’ Federal Relations

Margaret Cummisky will join Hawaiian Airlines as managing director of federal government relations, the airline recently announced.

Cummisky, formerly a senior staff member for Senator Daniel K. Inouye and currently assistant secretary for legislative and intergovernmental affairs with the U.S. Department of Commerce, will open Hawaiian Airlines’ Washington, D.C., office on June 27.

“As Hawaiian expands globally, it is vital that we participate fully in conversations involving U.S. aviation policy and legislation,” said Ann Botticelli, senior vice president for corporate communications and public affairs, in a written release. “Margaret’s knowledge of Hawaii and Washington makes her the ideal person to amplify Hawaiian’s voice in our nation’s capital.”

Prior to joining the U.S. Department of Commerce, Cummisky served as general counsel and deputy staff director for the U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations; democratic staff director and chief counsel for the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation; and legislative director of the Office of Senator Daniel K. Inouye. Cummisky was born and raised in Hawaii, where she graduated from Leilehua High School on the island of Oahu.

Visit www.hawaiianairlines.com

Travel Impressions Promotes Erin McCarthy to Vice President of Marketing

Erin McCarthy, a 17-year veteran of Travel Impressions, has been promoted to the position of vice president of marketing, effective immediately. In her new role, McCarthy will oversee all marketing for the company and its managed brands, reporting directly to Jeff Clarke, Travel Impressions' president.

“Erin has been one of our greatest assets for the better part of nearly two decades, and is a powerhouse in the travel industry,” said Clarke in a written statement. “With Erin at the helm of our marketing department, backed by the strength of her experience, keen insight, and knowledge and appreciation of travel agents, there is no doubt that she will elevate Travel Impressions’ image within the agent community.”

McCarthy began her career at Travel Impressions, which sells such destinations as the Caribbean, Mexico, Hawaii and more, as a reservation specialist at just 20 years old.

She rose through the ranks to the position of senior director of marketing, where she's played a leading role in shaping the company's image and raising Travel Impressions' profile among resort and airline partners.

“Working with Travel Impressions has been extremely enriching as the success of our marketing initiatives are gauged by our ability to help our agent partners succeed,” said McCarthy. “Having played a role in strengthening our agent-centric approach for the last 17 years, I’m looking forward to the opportunity to enhance our marketing impact on behalf of the agent distribution channel.” Visit www.travelimpressions.com.

Visit www.gohawaii.com and keep visiting www.travelagentcentral.com for all the latest Hawaii news. And follow Travel Agent's Joe Pike on Twitter @TravelPike.