U.S. Secretary of Commerce John Bryson visited the Guam Visitors Bureau booth on the convention floor during the U.S. Travel Association’s 2012 International Pow Wow in Los Angeles, California. The International POW WOW is the largest generator of international travel to the US where 6,000 attendees from around the world, hundreds of media members and billions of dollars in future travel and tourism business is on the line. The U.S. Department of Commerce and the U.
S. Commercial Service have been instrumental in supporting GVB’s initiatives in source markets to drive visits and generate commerce within Guam’s business community. Pictured from left to right are U.S. Secretary of Commerce John Bryson; Pilar Laguaña, Marketing Manager, Guam Visitors Bureau; and John Holman, Director of the Pacific Islands, United States Commercial Service.
“It’s wonderful to see how well Guam is represented here at the International Pow Wow on the global stage for international tourism. Prior to his keynote speech on the first day of the show, Secretary of Commerce John Bryson had time to visit a few select booths representing U.S. destinations. Guam Visitors Bureau was among the Secretary’s top priorities, as one of three U.S. destinations he chose to visit,” said John Holman, Director of the Pacific Islands for the U.S. Commercial Service.
“Secretary Bryson congratulated GVB on all of their fantastic initiatives and excellent work promoting Guam worldwide. GVB Marketing Manager Pilar Laguaña and the GVB marketing team are recognized nationwide for their outstanding marketing work promoting Guam, the warm Chamorro spirit, and truly representing Guam in the best possible way,” Holman added.
Secretary Bryson is a key member of President Obama’s economic team. As Commerce Secretary, Bryson oversees an agency charged with helping make American businesses more innovative and successful at home and more competitive abroad. Bryson’s priority as Commerce Secretary is to help American businesses “build it here and sell it everywhere.”
GVB Marketing Manager Pilar Laguaña said, “The U.S. Commercial Service’s support of Guam and GVB has been excellent and we deeply appreciate the visit of the Honorable Secretary John Bryson to the GVB booth at the International Pow Wow. It is indeed a humbling experience to be given special recognition by the Commerce Secretary for the bureau’s global marketing work and that commerce is stimulated as result of our efforts.”
The GVB marketing delegation comprised of Ms. Laguaña, Mr. Felix Reyes and Mr. Mark Mangloña met with influential domestic and international media, international tour package wholesalers and buyers at Pow Wow.
They also met with key U.S. Commercial Service international officials, National Tour Association leadership and the Brand USA leadership. Ms. Laguaña was invited to delivered remarks at the Visit USA Russia Reception held at the Inter-Continental Hotel in Los Angeles to share Guam’s recent and very successful marketing launch in Russia.
The U.S. Travel Association and Brand USA also unveiled its much-anticipated international marketing brand campaign at Pow Wow and will begin its initial outreach program in Japan and Korea.
In December 2011, GVB was recognized and presented with the U.S. Department of Commerce Export Achievement Award.
Guam Visitors Bureau, www.visitguam.org