The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutIHVB - Professional Services June 16, 2025 Via email – chresdev@hawaiicounty.gov Mr. Benson Medina Director Department of Research and Development COUNTY OF HAWAIʻI 25 Aupuni Street, Suite 1301 Hilo, Hawaiʻi 96720 Aloha e Director Medina, The Island of Hawaiʻi Visitors Bureau (IHVB) is interested in providing professional services for the County during fiscal year 2026 (July 2025-June 2026). In accordance with HRS 103D-304, Notice to Providers of Professional Services, we are submitting with this letter our Statement of Qualifications for Professional Services in the category of General Education and Training. If you have any questions, please contact us at islandofhawaii@hvcb.org, or call 808.885.1655. Mahalo nui for your consideration. Best regards, Scott Pauli Executive Director Island of Hawaiʻi Visitors Bureau Statement of Qualifications for General Education and Training June 16, 2025 The Island of Hawaiʻi Visitors Bureau (IHVB) has the capacity to offer services in the Category of General Education and Training, Research and Development. These services include the design, development, and implementation of messaging/communication programs that include a wide range of media as well as the production/coordination of events and programs. All programs developed are in line with the County of Hawaiʻi Tourism Strategic Plan. IHVB’s office is located on the Kohala Coast, Hawaiʻi. We are an island chapter of the Hawaiʻi Visitors & Convention Bureau (HVCB), with a focus on the island of Hawaiʻi’s community and industry needs. The services provided may require travel throughout the island, the State, the continental US, and internationally. Primary place of business and office location: ISLAND OF HAWAIʻI VISITORS BUREAU 62-3595 ʻĀmaui Drive, Kohala Coast, HI 96743 (physical address) 67-1185 Māmalahoa Highway, Unit D104 PMB 324, Kamuela, HI 96743 (mailing/USPS address) Tel: 808-885-1655 | Fax: 808-885-1755 | email: islandofhawaii@hvcb.org Current on-site contacts: Scott Pauli Deanna Isbister Executive Director Director of Sales spauli@hvcb.org disibsiter@hvcb.org (808) 885-1055 (landline, direct) (808) 365-5612 (landline, direct) (808) 294-6551 (mobile) (808) 238-8432 (mobile Donna Kimura Kalei Bridges Director of Marketing Sales Manager dkimura@hvcb.org kbridges@hvcb.org (808) 365-5613 (landline) (808) 365-5611 (landline, direct) (808) 333-7581 (mobile) (808) 333-6505 (mobile) Primary contact at Hawaiʻi Visitors & Convention Bureau (corporate): Tom Mullen Senior Vice President, Chief Operating Officer 2270 Kalākaua Avenue, Suite 801, Honolulu, HI 96815 tmullen@hvcb.org (808) 371-6379 (mobile) HVCB is a private non-profit, member-based organization. Island Chapter offices can be found in every county. Collectively, we provide industry knowledge, resources, connections, and insight. We are stewards of the Hawaiʻi Island brand, not just as one of the world’s greatest travel destination brands, but as one of the world’s most precious resources and our home. IHVB also supports the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority’s international marketing/messaging contractors based in Canada, China, Europe, Japan, South Korea, and Oceania (Australia and New Zealand). Company History The Hawaiʻi Visitors Bureau officially launched in 1945. The Hawaiʻi County Chapter, originally called Big Island Visitors Bureau was created in the early 1980s. The average number of employees at the Island of Hawaiʻi Visitors Bureau has varied through the years, from a kiosk in Kona and main office in Hilo to two fully-functioning offices – East and West Hawaiʻi, to one office, based in West Hawaiʻi. The pandemic also impacting staffing levels. Our current IHVB staffing level is four full-time workers. IHVB Staff (as of this writing): Scott Pauli, Executive Director With more than 30 years in the Hawaiʻi hospitality arena, Scott was most recently general manager of Grand Naniloa Hotel Hilo, A Doubletree by Hilton. He has worked in various leadership positions with hotel brands such as Aqua-Aston, Courtyard, Fairmont, Four Seasons, and The Ritz-Carlton. Born and raised in Chicago, Scott studied international commerce at San Diego State University. Scott oversees all IHVB programs and serves as the lead liaison between island stakeholders and the HVCB. Deanna Isbister, Director of Leisure Sales Ms. Isbister develops partner relationships with wholesalers and travel agents and oversees island destination training. She has more than 30 years of experience in the hospitality industry in Hawaiʻi and the U.S. mainland. Most recently, she was director of sales at Courtyard by Marriott’s Hotel King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel. Deanna resides with her husband in Hōlualoa, Kona. Donna Kimura, Director of Marketing With 35+ years of hospitality industry experience, Ms. Kimura manages the public relations and social efforts for IHVB as well as develops/designs marketing programs and collateral. She works closely with HVCB to ensure the proper island (of Hawaiʻi) messaging in all consumer-facing materials. She also supports the executive director in developing tourism-facing messaging crisis situations. She is a lifelong resident of Waimea. Kalei Bridges, Sales Manager Raised in Hāmākua on the island of Hawaiʻi, Bridges previously held sales management positions at Hilton Waikoloa Village and the Island of Hawaiʻi Visitors Bureau. Bridges is a haumana of Hālau Manaola as well as an educator and cultural practitioner of Polynesian music and the arts. As sales manager, Kalei supports the director of sales in both the leisure and meetings markets. HVCB Support Tom Mullen, Senior Vice President, Chief Operating Officer, Hawaiʻi Visitors & Convention Bureau At HVCB, Tom holds the responsibility for finance and corporate services, contract compliance, business development, and travel industry partnerships. Before taking this role in 2015, he was chief administrative officer with the Los Angeles Tourism and Convention Board. He also held a 27-year position at American Express, where he spent the majority of his time in Hawaiʻi working in various sectors of the company. Brandon Goda, Compliance Analyst, Hawaiʻi Visitors & Convention Bureau. Brandon has been with the HVCB since 2009. In this role, he supports the entire HVCB team, including the island chapters by reviewing and processing all expenses and payment vouchers, ensuring accuracy and compliance with corporate, accounting, and travel policies. Prior to joining HVCB, he worked at Hawaiʻi Tourism Japan, then at Pacific University. Sample Projects: Attached Sample of Recent Projects: Japan Sales Trip: Apr. 9-13 In anticipation of the return of Japan Airlines’ non-stop Narita to Kona flight next summer, IHVB pivoted from a government-to-government sister city project to an island-specific sales trip Island of Hawaiʻi Visitors Bureau (IHVB), Hawaiʻi County (COH), Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority (HTA), and Hawaiʻi Tourism Japan (HTJ) attended the Hawai'i Expo and meet with various airlines and wholesale companies. Meetings were held with Japan Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, and Delta Airlines. JATA, JTB, HIS, and Expedia. In attendance were HTA Board Chair Todd Apo, County Council Chair Holeka Inaba, R & D Director Benson Medina, and the Mayor's Executive Assistant Malia Louis. One of the key takeaways were the verbal commitment from JAL on their return flight to Kona from Narita starting in the summer of 2026. Travel Trade – Showcase: Mar. 24-27 IHVB coordinated 4 travel trade training/tradeshow/reception programs in Scottsdale, AZ (March 24), Seattle, WA (March 25), Tacoma, WA (March 26), and Lake Oswego, OR (March 27). A total of 173 Hawaiʻi focus Travel Advisors received Hawaiʻi Island destination training and developed relationships with island partners. The theme/topic, which was well-received by attendees, was AgriTourism on Hawaiʻi Island. Hospitality partners included: Fair Wind Cruises, Hawaiʻi Forest & Trail, King Kamehameha Kona Beach Resort, Outrigger Kona Resort & Spa, Mauna Kea Beach Resort, Westin Hapuna Beach Hotel, Pacific 19, Hawaiian Airlines/Alaska Air, and Royal Kona Resort. Two additional partners, Sea Quest Adventures and Grand Naniloa Hilo intended to join but were ultimately unable to due to unforeseen circumstances. Agritourim ambassadors included: Pomai Weigert, GoFarm Hawaiʻi, Kea Keolanui, O.K. Farms, and Iopa Maunakea, Imu Mea ʻAi / Men of Paʻa. Also in attendance (and promoting mindful travel/Pono Pledge was COH Tourism Specialist Frecia Cevallos. Travel Trade – AgriTourism FAM: Apr. 26-May 3 IHVB, COH, and GoFarm Hawaiʻi/University of Hawaiʻi partnered on a first-ever agritourism FAM, Apr. 28 – May 3. This collaborative effort was a result of the 2024 Global Regenerative Agritourism Symposium held in Vanuatu. Chef Robert Oliver, Pacific Island Food Revolution (New Zealand) was a special guest on this FAM. Collectively, 15 family-owned or local community-based businesses were visited/involved. HTA Global Marketing Team (GMT) FAM: Hawai’i Island Mar. 1-3 IHVB hosted the GMT FAM prior to the HTA Spring Update. Representatives from all Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority contractors (and select HTA staff) – Hawaiʻi Tourism Canada, Hawaiʻi Tourism China, Hawaiʻi Tourism Korea, Hawaiʻi Tourism Europe, Hawaiʻi Tourism Japan, Global MCI, Access Cruise, and Hawaiʻi Visitors & Conventions Bureau (corporate office) were in attendance. The program focused on familiarizing the contractors with West Hawaiʻi. Accommodation and activity partners included Hilo Hawaiian Hotel, Imu Mea ‘Ai, Volcano Art Center, Tea Hawai‘i & Co., Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, ‘Akaka Falls State Park, and Hawai‘i Tropical Botanical Garden. Downtown Hilo Stroll included local shopping. Featured Hilo restaurants included Cafe Pesto, WSW Steakhouse, and Lehua Restaurant at ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center. Based on the survey results, overall satisfaction was 77.7 percent, 22.2 percent were neutral. Hawaiʻi Forest & Trail supplied tour guides and transportation. They received outstanding scores for their high level of knowledge, professionalism, and friendliness. Following are few photos/files of collateral (printed items) and logo (promotional items) that IHVB has recently created/updated). * Island of Hawaiʻi Fact Sheet * Island of Hawaiʻi Resource Sheet * Island of Hawaiʻi L-folders (semi-clear file folders) * COH coin cards * COH pins Collateral + Promotional Items COH Logo Pins Coin Cards WATERFALLS One of many waterfalls on the northeastern coastline, ‘Akaka Falls is the State’s tallest “sheer drop” waterfall at 442 ft., more than twice the height of Niagara Falls at 167 ft. FLOWER POWER Home to several lush, tropical botanical gardens and floral nurseries. STELLAR SKIES The entire Northern Hemisphere and about 90% of the Southern Hemisphere can be seen from here - perfect for stargazing! TIME ZONE Hawai‘i Standard Time [HST] -10 UTC Year-round POPULATION Approximately 208,882* *2024 estimate WORLD’S TALLEST MOUNTAIN Maunakea - when measured from its base on the seafloor - 33,500 ft.; 13,796 ft. from sea level. WORLD’S MOST MASSIVE MOUNTAIN With a volume estimated at 18,000 mi3, Maunaloa rises to about 13,679 ft. above sea level. Maunaloa is the world’s second tallest mountain when measured from its base on the seafloor - 16,400 ft. The seabed is further depressed by Maunaloa’s great mass by another 26,250 ft., making its summit 56,000 ft. above its base! ANNUALAVERAGE KONA KOHALACOAST HILO HIGH 83°F 83.8°F 80.9°F LOW 67°F 68.3°F 66.8°F Rainfall 24.8” 10.1” 126.7” Ocean-High 81°F 80°F Ocean-Low 76°F 75°F www.gohawaii.com/island-of-hawaii 12.2024 | 2m LARGEST HAWAIIAN ISLAND 4,028 square miles - all of the other Hawaiian islands can fit on Hawai‘i Island with room to spare! WORLD’S MOSTACTIVE VOLCANOES Kīlauea and Maunaloa FOUR NATIONAL PARKS + ONE NATIONALTRAIL Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park Pu‘uhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park Kaloko-Honokōhau National Historical Park Pu‘ukoholā National Historic Site Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail CLIMATE ZONES* Four of the world’s five major climate zones and all but four of the world’s subzones* can be found here, creating an ecosystem unlike any other! * Original Köppen Classification System MORE COASTLINE 266 miles of coastline and the most marine conservation districts in the State. Ma‘ema‘e ToolkitHawai‘i Style GuideKnowledge Bankimages + b-roll Hawai‘i VolcanoesNational Park Nā Ala HeleHiking Trails tools + resources The Primal Powerof Hula Home-Grown Cuisine Hawai‘i’s Rain DancersSummon Storms Taste Hawai‘i’sFamous Mochi GoHawaii APPios GoHawaii APPandroid instagram.com/theislandofhawaii @theislandofhawaii facebook.com/islandofhawaii @islandofhawaii #islandofHawaii | #islandofHawai‘i #VisitislandofHawaii | #VisitislandofHawai‘i #ponopledge gohawaii.com/island-of-hawaii ponopledge.com email: islandofhawaii@hvcb.org The People. The Place.The Hawaiian Islands Island of Hawai‘i People of the Sea Descendants of aVolcano GoddessPono Pledge Travel Tips PANIOLO FESTIVALWaimeaPeter Kenyon Photography videos Travel Planner L-Folders - paniolo and dual eruptions - - Fund 1 -