USVIHTA Update | February 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.
St. Thomas to Celebrate 70 Years of Carnival in the Virgin Islands
The Government of the Virgin Islands has announced that the 70th edition of Carnival Virgin Islands on St. Thomas will be held from April 27 to May 1. The U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism’s Division of Festivals reports that the official version of St. Thomas carnival will be held under the theme “A New Cultural Roogadoo for Carnival 2022." The scaled-down spectacular, due to the constraints of the COVID-19 pandemic, highlights 70 years of carnival, and will shine a spotlight on the territory’s dynamic culture, cuisine, history, music and people. Read more.

More regional and local news:
Governor Announces Labor Shed Study to Support Economic Recovery and Development in the Territory
Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. has announced a new USVI labor shed study that will support economic recovery and development across the territory. The study will assess workforce skills, identify training needs and provide recommendations to better prepare the current workforce and a new generation of workers for job opportunities in the years ahead. The study was made possible through funding and support from FEMA and the U.S. Economic Development Administration. The labor shed study is designed to offer a “deep dive” into the USVI’s workforce and the training/education systems that support it. The analysis will identify competitive advantages of the USVI workforce along with areas of potential challenges. Specifically, the study will focus on current and future talent needs in the eight target industry sectors highlighted in the USVI Vision 2040 report and will identify industry occupations in greatest demand. Recommendations will be provided on how to effectively train and upskill our residents for these growing careers. Read more.
Sea Urchin Photos and Feedback Needed
The territory is experiencing an unusual die off event of Long Spined Sea Urchins. This is particularly concerning because in the early 1980’s over 90 percent of the natural populations of these urchins were killed by a disease, and researchers are worried that this could be a new emergence of disease. These urchins are vital to the health of our coral reefs because they eat the algae that try and smother coral reef colonies. DPNR needs the help from the public to report any dying/dead urchins around the territory. Click the flyer to the right to expand and learn how to submit feedback.
Annual My Brother's Workshop Fundraiser this Weekend on Feb. 26
My Brother’s Workshop will host “Mystery in Paradise” set to the Theme of Clue by Hasbro on Feb. 26 from 7-10 p.m. AST. Events may look different these days, but MBW is excited for this virtual event and for all to join for a party in your pod to benefit MBW! This virtual event is FREE to attend. There will be silent and live auction items, prizes for best dressed, guessing whodunnit and more! All proceeds from the event go towards furthering the mission of MBW. Visit https://mybrothersworkshop.home.qtego.net/ for more information and to register. Hurry because the fun begins tomorrow night! Click here for more details about the event!
Pirate Party Feb. 26 at Tropical Treasure Hunt and Leatherback Brewery
Come and revel with the Tropical Treasure Hunt Pirate Party on Feb. 26 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Tropical Treasure Hunt shop and Leatherback Brewery - located directly across the street from Havensight Mall in The Plaza! Thar be smooth sailing and fair winds blowing, as ye take a jaunt down the deck to reach the Tropical Treasure Hunt storefront, the Captain's Quarters, and step inside, where all the fun begins. The Coxswain will be inside the Captain's Quarters to assist anyone with registering to be a contestant in the pirate tourney. He can also assist with booking your own Tropical Treasure Hunt adventure – search for magic crystals and find Captain Jean Hamlin's treasure, while on The Magic Portal treasure hunt; become an agent of a secret organization, and help save the world from a deadly virus, on the Operation Tropical Mindfall adventure; or test ye wits on a night time kayak while on the Ghost of Piracy Past treasure hunt. Click here to read full party details and click the flyer to the right to expand!
Fat Tuesday Party at Navy Beach March 1
Join us on Fat Tuesday for a Special New Orleans Bluesy LIVE MUSIC performance by James Cobb from 6 to 9 p.m.! Food and drink specials - all day long! Special dishes include Shrimp Po Boy and Louisiana Jambalaya. Click here for more details and the flyer to the right to expand!
Bryan Williams' Tip: How Can You Motivate Low Performers to be High Performers? Part 2
"How can a mid-level leader positively influence the behavior of upper-level leadership? Or put another way, how may I more effectively 'manage up' to shape the attitudes and policies of my superiors to create a more effective service cult?"

Years ago, Stephen Covey wrote, "Be an island of excellence in a sea of mediocrity." Keeping that in mind when it comes to influencing "superiors," nothing is more potent than results. Your bosses, especially the senior leaders, will have a hard time ignoring successful outcomes. It's their obligation to see what is working well, why it's working well and share those learnings across the enterprise.

So, specifically, with any idea or initiative you have, pilot it within your department first and track the success, then it becomes more likely to influence those whom you report to.
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