Demeter Accepted Supreme Winner Award
Kirk Demeter, president of Down Under Answers, accepted the
“Supreme Winner” award from George Hickton, Tourism New Zealand’s
chief executive, at the second annual Tourism New Zealand Travel
& Tourism Award dinner, May 17, in West Hollywood, Calif. Down
Under Answers also won two additional awards for best
promotional/marketing campaign and wholesaler of the year, as voted
by retail travel agents.
‘The First Lady’ Celebrates 90
In May, travel agent Miriam Rand, known as “The First Lady of
Travel,” celebrated her 90th birthday and 57th year as a travel
professional in Beverly Hills, Calif. The event held at the Beverly
Hilton Hotel raised $116,000 for the Miriam Rand Scholarship Fund,
created by Protravel International in honor of Rand. The
scholarship sponsors students at Hunter College High School in New
York City, Rand’s alma mater, to help them participate in
educational trips to other countries.
Bowker Goes to Disneyland
10-year-old Jimmy Bowker and IndyCar partner Arie Luyendyk Jr.,
son of the two-time Indy 500 champion, took home a unique trophy
specially created for the “Minnie Indy Charity Race” at the
Indianapolis Motor Speedway. In addition, Bowker received an
all-expenses-paid trip to the Disneyland Resort in California for
his family.
Luyendyk also walked away a winner with a $25,000 donation to
his charity of choice: The Lance Armstrong Foundation.
All 33 drivers from the Indy 500’s starting lineup, raced
Autopia cars from Disneyland through an obstacle course together
with deserving children at the event.
Graham Promoted at Sheraton
Tia Graham has been named director of sales and marketing of
Sheraton Kauai Resort. In her new position, she will direct and
manage all sales activities and strategic planning at the
resort.
Graham started her career with Starwood Hotels & Resorts
Hawaii as a sales and marketing intern for the Sheraton in Waikiki.
She was appointed as group sales manager for the hotel after
completing the management training program.
In addition, she has worked for several restaurant companies and
Norwegian Cruise Lines, and has experience as a travel writer.
Graham holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Travel Industry
Management from the University of Hawaii at Manoa.
