‘Elele ~
the VOICE of MC&A ~
SPOTLIGHT
RICK’S SUMMER TRAVELS
At our Hawaii Year-End Meeting, Travel Director Rick Wheatley shared an inspiring story of perseverance, passion, and tribute as he recounted his epic solo cross-country bicycle ride across the U.S. ��✨
Starting in California and pedaling all the way to the East Coast, Rick embarked on this remarkable journey in honor of our beloved Hawai‘i Group Operations Manager , Leo Liugalua, carrying a Prince symbol in his memory.
His adventure began with a symbolic Pacific Ocean sendoff in San Diego, California, before braving record-breaking summer heat through Arizona and Texas. Along the way, he connected with MC&A Arizona staff Lauren Waterstrat and Kelley Bolender, as well as Mark Lindsey from the Arizona Biltmore.
Continuing East, Rick pedaled into Louisiana, where he explored scenic backroads before stopping in New Orleans to meet Benny Harrell and Denise Ferrier-Mavor, celebrating with some well-earned local cuisine at Mother’s Restaurant.
After 48 days and approximately 2,400 miles, Rick completed his journey by dipping his tires into the Atlantic Ocean in St. Augustine, Florida—a moment of triumph marking the end of an unforgettable adventure.
We’re incredibly proud to celebrate Rick’s inspiring achievement and the passion he brings to every challenge. Congratulations, Rick, on this extraordinary feat!
MC&A HAWAI‘I YEAR-END MEETING: A DAY OF GROWTH, CONNECTION & ALOHA
In December, the MC&A Hawai‘i ‘Ohana came together for a full day of reflection, collaboration, and celebration at our Annual Year-End Meeting. This special gathering brought together team members from all islands and departments, reinforcing our shared commitment to innovation, teamwork, and the aloha spirit.
The day kicked off with an engaging brainstorming session, where breakout groups tackled challenges and generated fresh ideas to enhance our company’s success. These collaborative discussions set the stage for an inspiring day of learning and connection.
Next, we were honored to welcome Kainoa Horcajo from The Mo‘olelo Group, who led a dynamic teambuilding session focused on the Hawaiian virtue of Mālama (care/caring). Through powerful storytelling and hands-on activities, Kainoa encouraged us to view Mālama through a new lens—applying it to our work, personal lives, and relationships.
Kainoa guided us through three unique experiences:
• No‘ono‘o Pono – A self-reflection and meditation exercise exploring balance and mindfulness.
• Ho‘oikaika Kalā‘au – A fun and challenging stick exercise designed to strengthen the mind-body connection.
• Lomilomi Lua – A warrior-style standing lomilomi massage, emphasizing teamwork, trust, and collaboration.
The day wrapped up with a relaxing pau hana at the Elks Lodge deck, where we enjoyed delicious food, refreshing cocktails, and an unforgettable Hawaiian sunset—the perfect way to celebrate a year of hard work and shared success.
Mahalo to everyone who participated in making this year-end gathering meaningful and memorable. Here’s to an incredible year ahead!
Click on the images below to view the videos and here to view the pictures.
Opening Presentation ‘Ohana Spotlight
MC&A NOMINATED FOR THE 2025 SPECIAL EVENTS GALA AWARDS
We’re beyond thrilled to announce that MC&A has been honored with three nominations for the prestigious 2025 Special Events Gala Awards! These nominations celebrate our passion for creativity, collaboration, and excellence in the events industry.
HERE’S WHAT WE’RE CELEBRATING:
Best Event Produced for a Corporation or Association: “Wildest Dreams”
• Set 4,000 feet above Vancouver on Grouse Mountain, this event transported guests into a magical world of nature, design, and entertainment.
Best Entertainment: “Wildest Dreams”
• From aerialists to surreal performances, this show captivated and amazed every guest.
Designer of the Year: Holly Loulan
• Holly’s visionary creativity shines as she competes with the best in the industry. Her incredible designs prove that no dream is too big! This nomination is a celebration of Holly’s ability to transform the ordinary into the extraordinary. Congratulations, Holly, on this well-deserved recognition!
A Huge Thank You to Our Team!
The “Wildest Dreams” success is thanks to the leadership and vision of Meghan McSkimming, Kate Perez, and Holly Loulan. This team continues to elevate what’s possible in event design.
Join us in cheering for our nominees as the winners are revealed on February 27 in Ft. Lauderdale! Let’s keep pushing boundaries and creating unforgettable experiences.
Check out the amazing performance from the event here.
MC&A EVENT NOMINATED FOR ADMEI AWARD
We are honored to be named as a finalist for the prestigious 2025 ADMEI Awards for the Cisco Chairman’s Club Gala Celebration and Concert.
This recognition is a testament to our passion and dedication to crafting unique, unforgettable events that leave a lasting impact. The 2025 ADMEI Awards represent some of the most outstanding work in the Destination Management Company (DMC) industry. Finalists and winners were selected by an international panel of judges, including association and corporate planners, hoteliers, venues, photographers, production companies, and agencies—well-versed in the DMC industry.
Being named a finalist among the best in the DMC industry is an incredible honor, and we couldn’t have done it without our amazing team. Here’s to celebrating creativity, innovation, and collaboration in events. Let’s continue to raise the bar together!
The winner will be announced at the 2025 ADMEI Annual Conference on February 25. To see the event, click here.
BUSINESS TRENDS
Sharing the latest highlights and opportunities within our industry for MC&A.
MC&A HAWAI‘I
The end of December marks the closing chapter of Island Partners Hawai‘i tenured 30 years of operations. While closing out its illustrious chapter, we will continue to nurture and care for its legacy clients beyond 2024. IPH’s legacy will be embedded into MC&A’s best practices and future.
With the closing of our Papa Place location and reopening of our new and improved location in Wailuku, December marked the completion of our warehouse move.
• The Cisco program closed at $1.5M, almost $520k more than forecasted. Well done team!!!!
• 2025 Pipeline: 99 programs confirmed, valued at $19.8M, $650k increase during 12/2024.
• 28 Programs, valued at $5M are in Tentative status.
• To date, 78 programs for 2025 were lost/canceled, valued at $19.3M.
• There is still much to do to get these numbers higher. Don’t forget, EVERYONE in this organization SELLS!!!
P.R.I.D.E. CORNER
Click on the image above to view the video.
What a fantastic year it has been! The P.R.I.D.E. team truly shined in 2024, bringing several fun and meaningful events to our staff and community. From the Hawaii Blood Drive to the company-wide Beanie Knitting Project, we had something for everyone.
We kicked off the year with our very first company-wide mixers, creating opportunities for everyone to connect and mingle. Our Easter and Halloween contests added a dash of festive fun, while our inaugural Brown Bag Seminar was a was a great way to learn new skills. And let’s not forget the special Mother’s Day and Father’s Day posts that brought smiles to many faces.
A massive shoutout to the incredible P.R.I.D.E. team for their dedication and hard work. Your efforts have made this year unforgettable.
Here’s to an even more amazing 2025 filled with new adventures and opportunities! Stay tuned for more exciting events and projects coming your way!
Mahalo,
Terrance Lum, P.R.I.D.E. Chair
Mainland
Elaine Keller
Jordan Lehr
Kelley Bollender
Martha Henderson
Patti Parrish-Maddaloni
Richelle Fichter
Stephanie Pate
Katie Kalb
Jackie Timpane
Hawaii
Charity Kahunahana
Dawn Brenneman
Elizabeth Parker
Greg Kramer
Karen Kidd
Kelli Spencer
Lillian Helton
Matt Gao
Misty Kauahipaula
Raphella Hunter
Raysha Mamala
Richelle Hokoana
Rick Wheatley
Zaida Chen
MC&A SALES STORIES
FROM CAROLYN
As the year comes to a close, I want to take a moment and thank Everyone. Thank you for your patience as I learned, kindness during times of error, daily rapport and countless hours of true friendship. Thank you for laughing at my dumb jokes, for covering for me when I’m out of the office, and for smothering my dog, Hawk, with love when he occasionally is in the office. It has been a big year of growth and change, and I’ve loved knowing I have you all by my side. I’m looking forward to us sharing great times and many opportunities together in the coming year. Mahalo.
FROM GINA
Big THANK YOU TO OUR SPAs aka FIRST RESPONDERS: Sabrina, Michele, Sey, Charity, Ashley, Carolyn (now AE)
You gals can start a legit Spa and I would be there all the time. Your dedication, hard work, and response time are top notch. I APPRECIATE all that you do behind the scenes to make magic happen.
FROM SEYCHELLE
This is my favorite time of the year but it always goes by too fast! My family ran the Kalakaua Merrie mile to support my sister, who ran in her first Marathon!
We went on the MC&A trolley ride; it’s one of my kid’s favorite holiday traditions!
Enjoyed a spa outing with breakfast and a snorkel sail with Hawaii Nautical
I loved seeing everyone at the year end meeting. I am grateful for this team and look forward to what 2025 brings!
FROM RAYSHA
‘ŌLELO NO‘EAU
Ua Kuluma Ke Kanaka I Ke Aloha
It is natural for people to behave in a loving way... MAY WE ALL LEARN TO MAKE ALOHA OUR WAY OF LIFE!
TEAM HIGHLIGHTS
I would like to take a moment to express my gratitude for the remarkable participation and engagement during our Annual Year-End Meeting. It was truly a great opportunity to reflect on our accomplishments over the past year and to discuss our strategic vision for the upcoming year. I’m excited for what the future holds. #MCADMC #IPHLove #JTBInc #DMCLife
EVENTS HIGHLIGHTS
Outstanding production by our very own, Mark, Spencer, Sarah, and Team. Last night involved a more extensive production than usual, as we provided lighting, audio and video services for a high-profile celebrity. We commend the entire team for their exceptional performance in ensuring client satisfaction and successfully managing the event. Bravo, team! #MCADMC #MCAHawaii #Production #EventDesign #HawaiiDmc #HawaiiEvents #Design #PartnerWithUs ��
PERSONAL HIGHLIGHTS
Thirty-seven years ago my grandma came home with a wreath from Sears. My uncle watched her decorate it and hang it above the garage. Every year a new color and a new theme. My uncle has continued to keep this tradition going, trying his best to make my grandma proud, knowing he will never forget. We love and miss her dearly, and honor her each year through tradition and decoration.
This is one thing that makes Christmas so special for our family.
As this year draws to a close, I’m taking a moment to acknowledge the incredible individuals who’ve enriched my life and the unforgettable experiences we’ve shared. Together, we’ve achieved remarkable successes and embarked on thrilling adventures, making this year truly unforgettable. I’m grateful for each of you and excited to see the amazing things we’ll accomplish together in the year ahead.
Happy New Year from Las Vegas. Wishing everyone an awesome Year!
GROUP OPERATIONS NOTES
GAVEL ACQUIRED BY ONE10
Click on the image to read more.
MULTIMEDIA MEDIA
FROM TERRANCE
SPREADING HOLIDAY CHEER: MC&A’S ANNUAL HOLIDAY TROLLEY RIDE
One of MC&A’s most cherished traditions is our Annual Holiday Trolley Ride, a festive evening filled with laughter, lights, and holiday spirit!
This special event brings together MC&A staff and their families for a magical ride through Downtown Honolulu and Honolulu Hale, where dazzling holiday light displays transform the city into a winter wonderland. From twinkling trees to whimsical decorations, every stop along the way was a reminder of the joy this season brings.
Beyond the stunning lights, the trolley ride is an opportunity to connect, celebrate, and share holiday cheer with colleagues and loved ones. Seeing the smiles on everyone’s faces—especially the keiki—makes this tradition truly special. Mahalo to everyone who joined in the festivities and helped spread the spirit of aloha this holiday season. We can’t wait to do it again next year!
A PROUD MOMENT: CELEBRATING QUINN’S GRADUATION!
What better way to close out the year than with a major milestone? We were beyond proud to celebrate the graduation of my oldest daughter, Quinn!
After countless hours of studying—many of them online due to COVID—Quinn’s hard work and dedication have paid off. She has officially earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa’s Shidler College of Business! Congratulations, Quinn! We can’t wait to see all the amazing things the future holds for you!
EYE ON EVENTS
FROM THE EVENTS TEAM
As December comes to a close, we reflect on a month filled with remarkable accomplishments and festive celebrations. From hosting extraordinary events to wrapping up a successful year, we’ve ended 2024 on a high note. With our events team producing 18 phenomenal events this month, we have raised our YTD total to 260!
This recap highlights the standout moments and milestones achieved during this bustling holiday season. Thank you for your dedication and passion—it’s been an unforgettable year, and we couldn’t have done it without you!
Here’s to even greater success in 2025!
FROM TARA YEAR END MTG
FROM SARAH
CISCO – FOUR SEASONS HUALALAI
Cisco looked a little different for us this year, but as always we pulled it off plus more for our clients! Spent a lot of time up at the tent and hangin’ with the team. So thankful to have such a hard working/accommodating/run to a warehouse to pick up decor to save the day/fun team!
Rest day after final break down up at Mauna Kea! Beautiful day!
YEAR END MEETING – ELKS LODGE WAIKIKI
Beautiful day to end another crazy year!
The team who does it all! (missing a few in this pic!) Cheers to the end of the year! We made it!
HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS! – SAN DIEGO
LEISURE TRAVEL-LOG
ENCHANTING TRAVELS 2024 MAGAZINE
Please click the image below to see our contribution to the Enchanting Travels 2024 magazine highlighting Hawaii.
Our print magazines have gone out to our US and UK existing customer base, and the DE version is to follow this week. Thank you again for your contribution to it!
Click here for the German version and here for the UK version.
MAINLAND ‘OHANA
HOLIDAY HOTEL VISITS
Mid-December, Jodi and Kelley had the pleasure of delivering some MC&A holiday cheer to some of the top resorts in Tucson: Loews Ventana Canyon Resort & Spa, J.W. Marriott Starr Pass Resort & Spa, and The Westin La Paloma Resort & Spa. In addition, Jodi, Kelley, Francine and Pascale had the opportunity to do a capabilities presentation to the Sales Team at the Omni Tucson National Resort. After our presentation, we surprised the attendees by taking them on a short walk, which ended at Bella’s Gelato food truck (a local favorite!) for amazing holiday flavors such as: Caramel Apple Cheesecake, Peppermint Patty, Maple Pumpkin and Chocolate Candy Cane. The Omni team LOVED it, and it was great spending additional time with them and getting to know each other. Since our visits, we have received multiple leads and are forming stronger relationships with the teams – we ♥ Tucson
SUGAR BOWL NEW YEAR’S EVE PARADE
Denise and Kelly from our New Orleans office rode in the Sugar Bowl New Year’s Eve Parade as guests of Mardi Gras World.
Sugar Bowl New Year’s Eve Parade
Denise and Kelly
ARIZONA TEAM HOLIDAY PARTY
The Arizona team celebrated the holidaThankys with a luncheon at Blanco Cocina + Cantina, one of our favorite Mexican restaurants located in the heart of downtown Phoenix. We were honored to have two special guests join us this year, Kina and Kris! The team enjoyed lots of good food, great conversation, and a fun round of White Elephant (an Arizona team holiday tradition!) where Kina walked away with one of the most sought after (and stolen twice! IFKYK) gifts of the afternoon… an LED Toilet Disco Light and Elsa baseball cap – complete with blond braid LOL! Lots of fun was had by all and we look forward to next year’s celebration. Happy New Year!”
2024 Kina AZ Holiday Party
2024 AZ Team Holiday Party
BIG 12 CHAMPIONSHIP IN ARLINGTON, TEXAS
I was lucky enough to attend the Big 12 Championship in Arlington, Texas on December 6, and had an absolute blast! My ASU Sun Devils beat the Iowa State Cyclones and took home the Big 12 Championship, which catapulted them to play in the Peach Bowl against the Texas Longhorns. The energy at AT&T Stadium was electric! Of course, I indulged in all the stadium snacks and the camaraderie among the fans was incredible. It was a day filled with excitement, high-fives, and unforgettable moments.
Next up was the Sugar Bowl on New Year’s Day in Atlanta. The Sugar Bowl in Atlanta was an epic experience! ASU Sun Devils vs. Texas Longhorns. The atmosphere at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium was buzzing with anticipation. The Sun Devils came from behind and tied the game with minutes left in regulation. We went on to lose in double OT which wasn’t the outcome we were hoping; however, the game will go down in CFP as a “classic”. From the pre-game festivities to the thrilling match, it was a rollercoaster of emotions. It was a perfect blend of football, fun, and fantastic memories!
— Lisa Gonzalez
Lisa at the Big 12 Championship Game
ARIZONA TEAM CELEBRATING THE HOLIDAYS WITH HOTEL PARTNER, ARIZONA BILTMORE
The Arizona team celebrated the holidays with our hotel partner, the Arizona Biltmore team, by enjoying a super fun outing to Game Show Battle Room, a new venue in Scottsdale where we competed in game shows just like the ones on TV! After randomly dividing into two teams, the blue team, “Bougie Blue Balls,” and the red team, “Three Men & The Babes” (participants came up with their own team names LOL), the competition began. It was fierce as we battled it out for bragging rights and the chance to walk away with an official MC&A “branded” trophy, perfect for displaying proudly on one’s desk! After announcing the winners (the games ended in a tie!), everyone enjoyed a delicious buffet and the distribution of some amazing raffle prizes generously donated by our local vendor partners. Bringing our two teams together to celebrate this special time of the year strengthened more than just our partnership – it strengthened our friendships as well. We are so grateful for our hotel partners and treasure these valued relationships.
DID YOU KNOW JTB COMMUNICATIONS
Hello GBU members.
Please find the Moving Forward Article Series of December 2024, which includes the following excellent articles.
1. Japan Inbound Business – Information Medical & Health Care
2. Global Trends Travel in Asia Pacific
3. Technologies
Google Ads Enhances Travel Search with Expanded Travel Feeds
How AI-powered search might impact travel discovery
Click the image on the right to read more.
WHAT'S HAPPENING AROUND OUR INDUSTRY
Kahale Wale – December 2024
Click here to view the December HVCB updates.
THE IT SYSTEM UPDATE
Hey, everyone,
We passed last quarter’s (2024 Q3) phishing test with flying colors: all but 1 user clicked the link; this compared to the quarter before (‘24 Q2) when 41 users clicked, which means we made an almost perfect turnaround. Unfortunately, the most recent (‘24 Q4) phishing test resulted in 8 users clicking the link. The bad news is, we’re trending in the wrong direction. The good news, the silver lining, is the +7 increase is not +40, so, kept in perspective, it’s not that bad. Still, it’s a cloud, and it’s going to hang around us for a while, but we can make it go away the next quarter (‘25 Q1). IT is challenging you and everyone else to go for perfection, i.e., 0 users failing. Let’s be on our guard, think before we click, and if we achieve perfection, we’ll have that achievement streamer fluttering above us instead.
PRO TIP OF THE MONTH
TICKETS ARE A MUST
New year but not a new rule: Tickets, tickets, tickets, not calls, texts, and chats. Calls, texts, and chats are kept in multiple places, tickets are kept in one, our ticketing system. As such, it makes IT’s job easier to respond to your requests for help. Help us help you. If you’re always submitting tickets whenever requesting IT’s help, thank you, keep doing what you’re doing. If you’re never submitting tickets but instead are always calling, texting, or chatting, no thank you, refrain from doing that. If you’re submitting, calling, texting, and chatting, thank you and let’s get into the habit of only submitting. But as in life, in reality, there may be exceptions, times when the matter is so urgent that calling is the better way, a ticket to follow. Nevertheless, tickets are, exceptions aside, the best way. To submit one, email IT Support MCAITSupport@mcadmc.com .
QUESTION OF THE MONTH
Does this scenario sound familiar to you? You’re traveling, you need to do some work, you set up your computer, turn the laptop on, and either A) it doesn’t boot up at all or B) it gets stuck on a black screen after you log in and do a hard shutdown. What do you do?
Recently, there has been a pattern of requests for help from users describing such a scenario. For the user, it seems like the computer is dead or needs to be replaced, which may, in fact, be the case, but usually the solution is a quick fix, a “jumpstart” as it were. Here’s what you do (presuming you have an internet connection, which all of the following hinges on):
1. Submit a ticket via your phone to IT Support MCAITSupport@mcadmc.com so that all of IT can have eyes on your issue
2. Take the power cord/ charger and, presuming it’s plugged into port #5 (see image below), which is the first USB-C port, unplug it from #5
3. Plug it into port #6, the second USB-C port
4. Power up the computer
5. Take the power cord from #6 and put it back into #5
6. Restart the computer or shut it down and power it back up
Notes:
• You may have to try this pull-and-plug-in—jumpstart—procedure multiple times.
• If you don’t have an internet connection and can get to the log-on screen, click the globe icon (it means no internet, it’s located in the bottom right corner of the screen) and connect to a Wi-Fi or to your phone’s hotspot, then try this procedure.
So, you’re jumpstarting your computer, but why? To force-complete an update. The problem is that your computer has an update to perform, it usually performs updates from your home or office, but now that you’re traveling, the change of location causes the computer to not complete it, for whatever reason. The solution is that your computer needs to be given a push or two by you to force it to complete the update. That’s the cure, and it’s a bit complicated; the prevention is simple: Right before you’re about to travel, at home or the office, restart your computer. And do this every time.
Your IT Team would like to know what other questions you have. What would you like to know? Please feel free to submit a question to IT Support MCAITSupport@mcadmc.com and we will turn it into our Question (and answer) of the Month.
MC&A BULLETIN BOARD
HAWAIIAN AIRLINES –PREFERRED AFFILIATE PROGRAM
OFFERED TO HAWAIIAN’S MOST LOYAL PARTNERS, THE PROGRAM OFFERS THE FOLLOWING TRAVEL BENEFITS
1. 5% discount off lowest available fares on Hawaiianair.com
2. Valid for personal leisure travel for MC&A employees and families
3. Convenient online booking with a variety of fare and itinerary options
4. Completely electronic process
5. You will earn Hawaiian miles on all reservations
6. Credit card payment required at check out (mileage not allowed for payment)
Booking a reservation is quick and simple using our personalized company Hotlink in Sharepoint (the Hawaiian Airlines logo). Clicking the link will take you to our Preferred Affiliate booking home page. Or you can access the site here.
Note: you cannot be logged into ANY account or else the promotional code won’t work. Click the link and look for your flight itinerary. The code will automatically be applied if the route is valid for the code (North America & International flights only). Your HA miles number is input during the booking process.
MAHALO TO EVERYONE FOR MAKING MC&A HAWAI‘I’S BEST DMC!!!
If you would like to get to the MC&A Mahalo ‘Ohana Program website, click here. (Available to MC&A Hawai‘i staff only)
DO YOU HAVE QUESTIONS OR SUGGESTIONS YOU'D LIKE TO SHARE?
Click on this Suggestion Hot Link or scan the QR code. The name of the person submitting and their responses will be anonymous. Submissions will be addressed privately at the end of every quarter.
JTB Hawaii offers employee discounts for Hawaii tours, dinner discounts, Hi Bus 7-day tickets, and hotel rooms. Please see the following flyer and click here to view the website. Please follow the instructions on the JTB Hawaii Employee Benefits to receive the benefit.
MARCH/APRIL JTBA NEWSLETTER POLL
Click here to participate in the JTBA Newsletter poll to be featured in the March/April newsletter. The deadline is 3/15/25.