Signature Travel Network has decided to move forward with its scheduled Owners’ Meeting in Maui, which will take place Sept. 6-9 at Grand Wailea Maui, a Waldorf Astoria Resort on the southern part of the island, about an hour away from the areas in West Maui that have been devastated by the recent wildfires.
The event’s agenda has also been changed to incorporate increased fundraising efforts and a day of service to the island, which will take place on-site in Wailea on Saturday, Sept. 9.
How the Decision Was Made
Alex Sharpe, president and CEO of Signature, hosted an Aug. 22 webinar with meeting attendees to provide an update on the conference.
“There have been a couple of questions as it relates to this meeting, and whether or not we should have it, that I've been trying to answer now for the last couple of weeks,” he said. “And the first question is, ‘Will we be in the way?’ Recovery is paramount. Getting Maui back is paramount. The second question is, ‘Can we help by being there?’”
They have said, across the board, that they don't want us in West Maui, but they want us in Maui, and they need us.
Sharpe said the decision to have the conference was made after several discussions with local tourism representatives in Maui, including destination management companies, hotel partners and local travel advisor members, among others.
“They have said, across the board, that they don't want us in West Maui, but they want us in Maui, and they need us,” he said. “And so that's a hard thing to process. And it's certainly a delicate line to try and balance as we go through this process … We’ve tried to get as much feedback from people on the ground as possible.”
Sharpe also noted that the unemployment rate on the island has doubled over the past two weeks, from 3% to 6%, and that “it doesn't take long for things to get rather desperate."
Owners’ Meeting Impact and Fundraising Efforts
Signature estimates that its Owners’ Meeting will bring about $2 million in spending to the island, with money going to the meeting’s hotel partners and the overall Wailea area, which employs thousands. The network is also planning on executing its online Travel Elevates silent auction (which includes more than 20 travel experiences), but it will be transformed into a broader fundraiser supporting The Hawaii Community Foundation (which accepts donations through its Maui Strong Fund), the Maui Food Bank and the Maui Humane Society (which provides rescue, veterinary and shelter services to the approximately 3,000 animals that have been displaced by the fires).
“We believe, in being there, that we can infuse [money] into the local economy, and we feel like we can get people thinking about coming back over the next several weeks, months and years. I don’t want to put a number on what we can raise, but I know the heart of this organization. And whatever the expectation is, if there is one, we’ll probably exceed it.”
We believe, in being there, that we can infuse [money] into the local economy, and we feel like we can get people thinking about coming back over the next several weeks, months and years.
Members will spend the Day of Service on Sept. 9 organizing supply packaging or engaging in food preparation. They are also encouraged to check luggage with urgently needed supplies (a list will be sent out to members early next week); those supplies will be distributed across the island by local representatives.
Hyatt, one of Signature’s hotel partners, is also organizing a local marketplace event to bring local vendors to the conference who have not been able to sell their merchandise due to the disaster.
Signature As a “Show Up” Organization
Sharpe said he thinks of Signature as a “show up” group, coming together when the chips are down. For example, Signature held an Owners’ Meeting one week after 9/11, and another one nine days after the organization’s former leader, Michelle Morgan, passed away. Both turned into healing experiences for members.
“The agreement we encountered at the local level is that our event is making a positive impact on the local community,” he said. “And you know, someone said to me, ‘If it’s not Signature, then who, right?' Who would rather be there than [a group] that has been committed to this destination for seven decades? That, frankly, has the power and the influence to get people to come back in a thoughtful, meaningful way.”
Although Sharpe is encouraging members to attend if they were planning to do so, he also advises them to “be smart and thoughtful” about posting on social media.
“Anything you post reflects on the entire group,” he said. “As I said earlier, one of the reasons Maui thinks it's so important for us to be there is because you all are so influential. People look for travel inspiration, and they look to this group. I'm not saying that sharing is a bad thing, but doing it in the right way is important.”
Educational webinars on best practices for this — and other “Know Before You Go” items — will take place for attendees next week.
Donate to Signature's Fundraiser
Donate to Signature's Travel Elevates Fundraiser.
