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.
Letter from the Association: USVIHTA Dues to Increase in 2023
Dear members,

At the USVIHTA board meeting on Nov. 15, we passed a motion to increase 2023 dues by approximately 16%. Dues for 2023 versus 2022 can be found below. The board weighs financial decisions very carefully and with the best interest of our members and the association in mind. Accommodation members have not seen an increase in dues in over 15 years, while allied members saw a decline in dues after the 2017 hurricanes.

We are thankful for the opportunity to continue to serve the tourism and hospitality industry, and we are proud of the work the association, its board, and its affiliates do to support our members. Our advocacy initiatives are paramount in enacting positive change in our industry; our environmental work is recognized on a global level; our marketing endeavors span the Caribbean region and beyond; and our community outreach programs uplift the islands and our home. We will continue to work diligently on behalf of our members and our industry as we move into a new year, and we thank you for sharing in our successes and allowing us to share in yours. We look forward to a prosperous 2023!
 
                           2022                                 2023
 
Allied                  $299.00                           $350.00 
 
Hotels                $31/room                       $36/room
 
Timeshare         $15.50/room                  $18/room
USVIHTA Members Celebrate Thanksgiving with Boys & Girls Clubs of St. Thomas/St. John
Thank you to our wonderful members for donating to the annual Thanksgiving events for the Boys & Girls Clubs of St. Thomas/St. John! This year, members provided food and beverages for families joining together at Oswald Harris Court on St. Thomas on Nov. 22 and Nazareth Evangelical Lutheran Church on St. John on Nov. 18. The association’s commitment to community outreach would not succeed without the overwhelming support and generosity of our members. Thank you to Bellows International; Bolongo Bay Beach Resort; Emerald Beach Resort; French Quarter Bistro; Gallows Point Resort; Marriott's Frenchman's Cove; The Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas; The Westin Beach Resort & Spa at Frenchman’s Reef; and The Westin St. John Resort Villas. Click here for more photos.

More local and regional news:
Student Music Makers Win Big at USVI BreakBeatCode Hackathon
The VI Children's Museum and Rotary Club of St. Thomas, II would like to thank the students and parents that participated in the USVI BreakBeatCode Hackathon. Thanks to an amazing Google team and eight coaches from the USVI who learned the BreakBeatCode curriculum, over 20 children, ages 12-17, got the opportunity to learn to create their own beats on a computer. The USVI BreakBeatCode Hackathon was a one-day virtual workshop in which students learned how to make beats using Python software. The Workshop was held on Google Meet where students and coaches were divided into groups. Each group first learned the basics of creating a beat in EarSketch and then created a team beat that they submitted for scoring. Read full press release here.
Tropical Treasure Hunt Updates for Members!
Don’t miss the Tropical Treasure Hunt quarterly newsletter! Get the scuttlebutt on new hunts, our amazing partners, pirate history and more! Highlights in this issue include our new location in St. Pete Beach, our Salty Piracy Land and Sea Adventure and our neighbor Leatherback Brewery. Sign up at tropicaltreasurehunt.com.

And don't forget about Tropical Treasure Hunt's team building services! Our memorable and challenging team based competitions improve staff's communication, leadership, critical thinking and time management skills. These activities allow coworkers to develop closer bonds that are not easily made in the office. 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: Good is not Good Enough
I once heard a French wine maker say, “Good is not good enough; in fact, it has to be perfect all the time”. He was referring to the detail and care that goes into growing grapes at his winery. That one quote captures the essence of what world-class service is all about. Here are four tips to consider when curating a service experience for your customers.️ One of the first things customers should notice is that they are the absolute focus of your team’s attention.

  • What can you and your team do to make your customers feel like they are the guests of honor?
  • How can you and your team customize the experience more for your customers?
  • What information should everyone on your team know about their profession, company and industry?
  • How can you and your team enhance the farewell experience?

There is something special and inspiring about caring deeply for your craft. That caring is manifested through reverence, personal touches and being knowledgeable, among other things.

Takeaway: Good is not good enough; strive for world-class every time.
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