Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands (NMI) – The Marianas Visitors Authority (MVA) will hold its biannual general membership meeting on Thursday (June 20) at Saipan World Resort in Susupe, Saipan at 10 a.m.  Registration will open at 9:30 a.m.

            Guest speakers will be from the MVA’s off-shore offices: MVA Korea in-country manager Sejin Kim and representatives from MVA’s creative ad agency for Japan, Kelly Nguyen and Asumi Yamayoshi, who will introduce the MVA’s new marketing campaign “Between You and I.”   A brief update on other MVA programs will also be given.

            Elections will also be held for four positions on the MVA Board of Directors that are elected by MVA members.  Nominees are:

MVA members listed as the point of contact that wish to cast their votes for incoming Board members must be present to vote.  Proxy votes may be accepted provided a voting proxy form is completed and submitted prior to the meeting.

“We encourage our members and all interested members of the public to attend our general membership meeting on June 20 for detailed information on market intelligence and the MVA’s work in Korea and Japan,” said MVA Managing Director Christopher A. Concepcion.  "The importance of our tourism economy is at the forefront of all our minds, so we invite everyone to join us for this important meeting.”

            The meeting cost is $35/person for MVA members and $40/person for non-members and includes morning refreshments. Payments may be made at the door via cash, credit card, or debit card.  Seating is available on a first-come, first-serve basis.

The MVA welcomes businesses, organizations, and individuals to its membership.  Membership is $100/year, and accounts can be registered and paid on MVA’s English website at www.mymarianas.com or at the MVA office.  Benefits of membership include: business listing on the MVA’s language-specific websites in Korean, Japanese, and English; opportunities to participate in travel and trade shows, sales seminars, and FAM tours; opportunities for business brochure distribution at MVA offices in The Marianas and internationally; detailed visitor data through monthly statistics reports; nomination and voting rights for the MVA Board of Directors; the opportunity to be a supplier or contractor for the MVA; and the opportunity to serve on ad hoc committees.

            To RSVP for the general membership meeting, request a proxy form for MVA members to vote in the Board election, request a membership application, or for more information, contact MVA Community Projects Coordinator Ed Diaz or Jack Aranda at communityprojects@mymarianas.com or 1.670.664.3200.

KEYWORDS: The Marianas, My Marianas, Visit The Marianas, Marianas Visitors Authority, Saipan, Tinian, Rota, Northern Islands

The Marianas is an archipelago of 14 islands - including Saipan, Tinian, and Rota - in the Western Pacific. The Marianas are home to indigenous Chamorro and Carolinian people, as well as over 20 different ethnicities from around the world who live and work in this harmonious tropical paradise. Ancient latte stone limestone monoliths, traditional nature-based ocean navigation not reliant on modern technology, and a culture seasoned by East and West influences are just a few of the experiences found in The Marianas, where pristine sea, sand, and skies are only a 3–4-hour flight from major Asian gateway cities.  From South Korea, Asiana Airlines, Jeju Air, and T’Way provide direct flights to Saipan from Seoul-Incheon. United Airlines flies three times a week from Tokyo-Narita, Japan, and daily from Guam.  Hong Kong Airlines flies twice weekly from Hong Kong. Interisland travel between Saipan, Tinian, and Rota is provided by Star Marianas Air. For more information on The Marianas, visit www.mymarianas.com, Facebook/VisitTheMarianas, or Instagram @themarianas.