Last year the arrival of COVID-19 dramatically impacted people, businesses, and the travel industry in every way possible. So what does 2021 and beyond hold for the travel & tourism industry in Hawaii, the San Francisco Bay Area, and globally?

Join the HCCNC for a panel discussion how the industry, from airlines to hotels and supporting businesses are adapting to new paradigms. The panel will include industry leaders from the travel & tourism industry.

About the Panel:

John De Fries, President and CEO of the Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA)

HTA is the State of Hawai‘i agency responsible for strategically managing its support of the tourism industry. Its mission is to manage Hawai‘i tourism in a sustainable manner consistent with economic goals, cultural values, preservation of natural resources, community desires and visitor industry needs. www.hawaiitourismauthority.org

Joe D’Alessandro, President and CEO of the San Francisco Travel Association (SF Travel)

For more than 100 years the San Francisco Travel Association has worked on behalf of its members to promote San Francisco as the destination of choice for conventions and leisure travel. Its mission is to promote the San Francisco region as a top global destination by leading the way in performance and innovation. www.sftravel.com

Kelly Knox, Outreach Lead, West Coast & Hawaii at Southwest Airlines

Kelly oversees the outreach and community efforts across the West Coast & Hawaii for Southwest Airlines, coordinating Southwest’s efforts across key stakeholders including public, private, and nonprofit groups. www.southwest.com

Leimomi Hall, Director of Sales for North America at Hawaiian Airlines

Leimomi oversees Hawaiian Airlines sales efforts on the West Coast and throughout North America, including the Northern California and San Francisco Bay Area. www.hawaiianairlines.com