TUMON (Guam Visitors Bureau) — Guam “wowed” the crowds at the Los Angeles Times Travel and Adventure Show, held Feb, 10 and 11 at the Long Beach Convention Center.
In a flurry of photos, flowers, friendly faces, and food, the Guam delegation delivered the warmth of Guam’s “Hafa Adai” spirit in sharp contrast to the chilly weather outside.
Sponsored in part by the Guam Visitors Bureau, the Los Angeles Times Travel and Adventure Show is the largest travel trade show in the U.S.
Preliminary statistics indicate that approximately ten thousand people visited the LA Times Travel and Adventure Show on the first day alone and all indulged in coconut candy and “gugeria,” a hard, crunchy confection, from the Guam booth while learning about the beauty, history, and culture of the largest island in Micronesia.
Visitors included the curious, the adventurous, and those looking for a unique tropical experience.
Former Guam residents and military personnel flocked to the booth to savor the island atmosphere of a place they continue to hold dear.
The Guam delegation was led by the GVB marketing manager Pilar Laguaña, and delegation members Gina Kono and Cindy Hanson from GVB, and Lynda Laracuente, representing Guam Extreme Adventure Race. Industry partners Sandy Paeste Everett of Continental Airlines and Valerie Carbullido Blas from the Royal Orchid Hotel joined them.
The delegation conducted a destination workshop titled “Guam, Where America’s Day Begins,” which showcased Guam’s natural beauty and the exciting itinerary of activities available for visitors.
The Guam presentation culminated with the prize of a free round trip to the island from Continental Airlines with accommodations at the Royal Orchid Hotel.
Guam-born and raised Shelly Hernandez Sunday had the winning ticket and was thrilled to finally be visiting home.
Sunday, whose husband is in the military and stationed in California, has not been home in nearly 11 years.
The Kutturan Chamoru performers kept the excitement high on the main stage as they performed traditional dances from “The Guam Hafa Adai Show” to the delight of the audience.
This young group of performers is comprised of Chamorros, Guam’s indigenous people, who now live in the U.S. and continue to keep in touch with their culture and home through dance.
The Kutturan Chamoru performers also gave a special performance to members of the California media during the GVB’s Guam Media Night, on Saturday, Feb. 10.
At the Guam Media Night. the bureau’s representatives shared the story of Guam along with information on new hotels, attractions, and amenities.
Interest in the pending build- up of military personnel and its potential impact on Guam was high among media representatives and was nicely balanced with equal attention to Guam’s diving, eco-tourism, and historical importance.
Considered an overwhelming success by the GVB delegation, the Guam Media Night garnered twice the number of expected attendees due in no small part to the efforts and support of Jim Ferguson, regional director of the North America branch of PATA and Andrea Hutchinson, marketing director of Unicomm LLC.
Two very special visitors made a stop at the Guam booth to reminisce about their time on the island.
Col. Leonard Klenk was with the U.S. forces who liberated Guam from Japanese occupation on July 21, 1944 and was presented with a medal by the Guam Visitors Bureau.
Veteran and author, James Smith also made an appearance with the exciting news that his book, “The Last Mission,” is scheduled to be made in to a film. Smith’s book is about the final mission of World War II, which departed from Guam’s Northwest Field for an attack on Japan’s remaining armaments and resulted in the end of the war.
Overall attendance at the Los Angeles Times Travel and Adventure Show was excellent and the opportunity to bring the story of Guam to so many interested individuals was priceless.
Plans are already underway for Guam to participate in the 2008 Los Angeles Times Travel and Adventure Show and expectations are for an even greater success story.