USVIHTA Update | December 2022
Greetings Members,

Thank you for reading these and other important updates. Please remember to use the web link at the bottom to share with your teams.
CHTA Announces VPs for 2022-2024
The Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association is heading into the 2022-2024 biennium with a new slate of vice presidents in support of current President Nicola Madden-Greig of the Courtleigh Hospitality Group in Jamaica. Madden-Greig, who has served the association with distinction over the past year – including leading CHTA’s production of the 40th Caribbean Travel Marketplace in San Juan, Puerto Rico, as well as mounting the first annual Caribbean Travel Forum – said emerging from the COVID-19 pandemic there is greater recognition of the need to embrace continued learning, collaboration and innovation to take Caribbean tourism to the next level. Read more.

More local and regional news:
Free Sailing Open House at the St. Thomas Yacht Club
We're excited to offer a Free Sailing Open House again! Join us on Dec. 11 from 1-4 p.m at the St. Thomas Yacht Club, 6224 Yacht Club Road. There will be free 20-30 minute sailboat rides and refreshments along with discounts and information on our sailing courses, boat access programs and Yacht Club membership. Each boat will be captained by an experienced skipper so you can sit back and enjoy or take a turn at the helm! Choose to go out on an IC-24 keelboat or a Hobie Wave beach cat. Wear your board shorts for the Hobie Waves - getting splashed is part of the fun! No reservations are necessary. Sign in when you arrive and we will call your party when your boat is ready to board. The Galley Grille will be open for lunch. Questions? Call us at 340-690-3681 or email info@StThomasSailingCenter.com. See you on the water!
Member Updates for Members
Change of plans! Please note that the date of our fundraiser has moved to Jan. 21, 2023. We will send out more details shortly. If you'd like to support the VI Children's Museum as a volunteer, sponsor or provide a vacation stay as an auction item for our event, please email vichildrensmuseum@gmail.com or Amber at amber@vichildrensmuseum.org. Thank you for your support and have a safe and very happy holiday!
Mango Tango Art Gallery opens the engaging Stylized and Abstract Art Show by Mary Rodriguez with a reception from 5:30-8:30 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 10. Her 14 mixed-media paintings range in size from 4-inch squares to 36 by 48 inches. The dynamic music of Sammy Watts and Ras Abu will add to the festivities in the gallery parking lot where appetizers and spirits will be served. Read more.

*The above article was published in the St. Thomas Source and shared by USVIHTA member Mango Tango.
At Tropical Treasure Hunt, we have created a team building service built off of best practices in learning and development as well as employee engagement. Our memorable and challenging team based competitions improve staff's communication, leadership, critical thinking and time management skills. We would be happy to provide a brief presentation of how we can make your holiday event one that will not only make employees feel valued, but will also help keep them engaged and a part of your business this coming year. Read more.
Bryan Williams' Tip: Success is What You do Today
Success is what you do today. Offer these affirmations for a successful today to your teams:
  • Today - do one thing for one person, with absolute perfection, then repeat.
  • Today - tell one colleague that I value them and why.
  • Today - tell one customer that I value them and why.
  • Today - tell myself that I value myself and why.
  • Today - serve each person with excellence and not adjust my eagerness, kindness or attentiveness based on how "important" I believe a particular person is.
  • Today - make it my minimum expectation to exceed everyone else’s expectations.
  • Today - don’t just serve, don’t just engage, but truly honor each person I serve.
  • Today - graciously appreciate that no one else in the world can serve exactly like me, and be proud of that difference.

And when the day comes to a close, ask myself, "Did I make a positive, meaningful and memorable difference in anyone’s life today?"
Association Health Plans Available Now through Elan
The Hotel & Tourism Association continues to work to identify great opportunities for our members. We've recently signed an agreement with Elan Insurance Group to offer Association Health Plans. Click the photo to view the PDF version in your browser. The PDF lets members know about:
  1. This great NEW benefit
  2. Who is qualified to receive it
  3. How to get started

For more information, contact Omar Andres Haedo directly at omar.a.haedo@elan.insure.
Save the Date

Don't forget to share your special events with members today by emailing kaufmann.laurel@gmail.com.
Lisa Hamilton 
USVIHTA President 
340-774-6835