The meeting was hosted by the Hyatt Regency and once business was concluded the forum retired to the gardens of the resort for an informal cocktail hour.
President and CEO of AHATA Jorge Pesquera called the meeting to announce changes in AHATA's structure aimed at delivering Corporate Groups, Association, Incentives, Congresses, Conventions, Exhibitions and Trade Shows to the island. "It's all based on feed back," says Senior Director of Sales and Marketing for North America and Director of Operations for the Aruba Meeting & Convention Bureau Scott Wiggins, "our members urged us to go out there and create a new entity designed specifically to get new business for the island."
"Basically," Pesquera explains, "a new sales partnership was created under the AHATA umbrella, with ATA, the government agency serving as a complementary marketing organization."
This partnership between the private and the public sector is very unique in the area and will position AHATA as one of the premier hotel and tourism association in the Caribbean. "It will also give Aruba a significant advantage in the lucrative group market," Pesquera adds.
The team members of the new sales partnership, Regional Directors of Sales Mayline Menendez and Donna del Gallo are highly qualified and dynamic. Menendez spent time in hospitality with the Ritz Carlton chain and served as Director of Sales for the Puerto Rico Convention Bureau. Her record of delivering 140% over quote, speaks for itself. "I believe in our Aruba product," she says, "and will work tirelessly to help deliver stellar results."
Dial-for-Dollar del Gallo, in possession of a university degree in marketing served for many years as Vice President of Convention Sales. Her record of 11 years as top producer makes her a perfect candidate for the job.
Keeping the two Regional Sales Director well-informed as far as reports, research and technology, Joyce Martinez Roldan, who will verify that clear procedures are followed and that market trends and shifts in consumer preferences are tracked.
Throw in with all those driven go-getters an ounce of charm and you will get Charly Ibarra, for many years the representative of the Aruba Tourism Authority in New York, a brilliant communicator, a schmoozer, an engaging and engaged island personality with great inside-knowledge of the industry. Charly will be in charge of niche markets such as the Hispanic, African American and Leisure market, and will work as the island's Ambassador at trade shows and conferences.
Wiggins, whose father was one of the pioneers of tourism here requires no introduction. His title, Senior Director of Sales and Marketing for North America and Director of Operations for the Aruba Meeting & Convention Bureau, implies a big responsibility, for which he will be getting assistance especially in Coop Advertising and industry relations, from veteran Adwina Arends. Arends, the former Director of Sales & Marketing for La Cabana All Suite Beach Resort is a know-all Aruba expert.
With Pesquera entrusted with the vision and the supervision of funding, Nathaly Wouters will set up the accounting, track the investment and demonstrate rich returns. The organization also counts on the support of a number of ATA personalities. Theresita Chai will hold up her end as the Aruba Tourism Authority Acting PR director, and Marketing Manager USA. Jerusha Rasmijn, Jacky Croes and Greg Koolman will operate the Fort Lauderdale headquarters of the Aruba Convention Bureau.
Last but not least what's in the name? "We might have a slightly different name for our new baby," Pesquera reports, a name which will be determined and unveiled in the near future. Pesquera was also grateful to Fritz Israel who facilitated the preparation period and worked on the structure of the new sale organization.
