{"id":170020,"date":"2022-12-06T13:15:03","date_gmt":"2022-12-06T23:15:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/?p=170020"},"modified":"2022-12-06T13:15:03","modified_gmt":"2022-12-06T23:15:03","slug":"na-kukui-netlinks","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/2022\/12\/06\/na-kukui-netlinks\/","title":{"rendered":"Student-led travel industry networking event links students, professionals"},"content":{"rendered":"Reading time: <\/span> 2<\/span> minutes<\/span><\/span>

\"people<\/p>\n

Students from University of Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> at M\u0101noa\u2019s School of Travel Industry Management<\/a> (TIM<\/abbr> School) hosted a networking showcase that brought together professionals and students to foster connections within the hospitality and tourism industries.<\/p>\n

\"people
Kevin Iwamoto delivered the keynote address.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

More than 140 people attended the 2022 N\u0101 Kukui Netlinks event on November 30 at the Waik\u012bk\u012b Aquarium. Now in its 27th year, the event was themed “Make a Big Splash! Developing your Personal Brand.”<\/p>\n

The event first started in 1995 and, in addition to providing students with a venue where they can grow their professional networks, it also gives valuable practical experience. As part of the TIM<\/abbr> 316 Special Events Management course, the students planned, organized and executed the evening from start to finish with the support of the TIM<\/abbr> Alumni Association, modeling the same process industry professionals use to host events.<\/p>\n

This year\u2019s Na Kukui student committee was made up of 11 TIM<\/abbr> students. They were Alicia Tobey<\/strong>, Marie Vasquez<\/strong>, Sheree Caragdag<\/strong>, Megan Kaneshiro<\/strong>, Tori Ono<\/strong>, Mika Sasaki<\/strong>, Samantha Dougher<\/strong>, Dominique Smith<\/strong>, Aya Sasaki<\/strong>, Princeton Wong<\/strong> and Neo Yim<\/strong>. The students worked for several months on various subcommittees, including logistics, industry, marketing, programming and students.<\/p>\n

Award-winning influencer<\/h2>\n

This year\u2019s event featured keynote speaker and TIM<\/abbr> School alumnus Kevin Iwamoto<\/strong>, BBA<\/abbr> \u201877, who is chief customer officer of Bizly, Inc<\/abbr>. TIM<\/abbr> School and Shidler College of Business<\/a> alumna Candes Meijide Gentry<\/strong>, BS<\/abbr> \u201898, MBA<\/abbr> \u201804, emceed the event. Shidler college Dean Vance Roley<\/strong> provided a welcome and update on the TIM<\/abbr> School.<\/p>\n

Iwamoto is an award-winning speaker, industry influencer, author, educator and subject-matter expert consultant in personal branding. He received the 2015 Travel Weekly Gold Megellan Award for Best Overall Industry Blog, the 2016 MPI<\/abbr> Rise Award from Meeting Professionals International for meetings industry leadership, and in 2014 he received a rare honor from Global Business Travel Association with a designation as an industry icon. Throughout his career, Iwamoto has been included in numerous industry Topmost Influential Executive lists and has published two books.<\/p>\n

\u200b“A personal brand says a lot about who you are and how you conduct business,” he said. “It reflects your cherished beliefs and values. It demonstrates your ethics to colleagues, employees, business partners and customers.”<\/p>\n

Networking for all<\/h2>\n

The event not only left a lasting impression on students but it was also beneficial to industry professionals and event mentors.<\/p>\n

“I am so honored to have participated in several N\u0101 Kukui networking events in the past years representing Expedia Group,” said Malia Campbell, senior account manager of Expedia Group Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span>. “Connecting with industry professionals and those that are passionate about the hospitality industry is the best way to kick-start your career. You never know how far a short interaction with someone will take you in your career!”<\/p>\n

—By Dani Douglass<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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