Hawaii Convention Center Announces Promotions, New Additions to Team

AEG Facilities, the management company of the Hawaii Convention Center (HCC) in Honolulurecently announced the following promotions and new additions to its team.

Mari Tait has been promoted to director of operations where she will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of the HCC’s operations, engineering maintenance, housekeeping, landscaping, security/guest services and information technology departments. 

She previously served as the center’s operations manager and originally joined the team as executive housekeeper in 2001. A graduate of the University of Hawaii at Manoa’s School of Travel Industry Management, Tait’s career also includes time with the Hyatt Regency Waikiki, Kahala Hilton Hotel, Queen Kapiolani Hotel and Hawaiian Regent Hotel.

Natalie Shiinoki has been promoted to marketing manager responsible for overall management of the center’s branding, advertising, public relations, digital and social media efforts. She previously served as HCC’s sales and marketing coordinator and originally joined the center as international sales coordinator in 2011. 

Shiinoki graduated from Ateneo De Manila University with a bachelor’s of science degree in management. In addition to English, she is also fluent in Filipino (Tagalog) and Chinese (Fookien and Mandarin).

Michellee Phelps joins HCC as manager of communications and special events. She brings to the team a wealth of hospitality experience serving as global brand services manager for Outrigger Enterprises Group, head of project management for MVNP and entertainment events specialist with the Walt Disney Company. She will take on all responsibilities pertaining to communications and special events at HCC. Phelps holds a bachelor’s of arts degree in communications/advertising with a minor in business from California State University Fullerton.

Brian Takenaka joins HCC as IT manager and will be responsible for the day-to-day management of the center’s information technology infrastructure, including the oversight of system projects and hardware. He previously worked at Outrigger Enterprises Group for 29 years most recently serving as the company’s systems operations director where he was responsible for corporate IT operations supporting roughly 50 hotels across Hawaii, Asia Pacific and Guam.

Visit www.meethawaii.com/convention-center

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