Two Hawaii entrepreneurs were selected to participate in the Game Developers Conference to be held Feb. 27-March 3 at the Moscone Center in San Francisco.
The state announced Thursday that Kauai resident Tracy Davidson, whose business Tracy’s Map provides promotional maps about Hawaii, and Oahu resident Stacey Hayashi, whose educational game app “Journey of Heroes” shows World War II through the eyes of a Japanese-American, were chosen by mentors to attend.
The two are fellows at Creative Lab Hawaii, a state program set up to develop and train talent in the creative industries.
“The Game Developers Conference is the largest gathering of game developers, producers and publishers in the world, and we are excited to provide Tracy and Stacey with the opportunity to attend the conference,” said Michael Andres Palmieri, executive director of Creative Lab Hawaii. “By attending the conference, our fellows will have the opportunity to meet industry decision-makers, attend workshops that increase their understanding of the business, and network with like-minded creative entrepreneurs.”
The conference hosts more than 27,000 attendees involved in the creation of interactive games and virtual reality.
Launched in 2013, CLH is designed to provide access for entrepreneurs to industry decision-makers through mentoring in a year-round program, as well as weekend boot camps on screenwriting, producing, broadband, new media, interactive media, animation, music, design and fashion.
Maui residents wary of plans for Paia
Maui residents are voicing their opposition to a planned development along the island’s north shore that would bring new housing units and businesses to the city of Paia.
Hundreds of people gathered at a community center Monday to protest the plan, Hawaii News Now reported.
They shared concerns that the development would clog streets with traffic and overrun a local surf spot with tourists.
“We already have bad traffic in Paia as it is already. North Shore is horrible with traffic, and we can’t handle it already. This influx is just crazy,” resident Valerie Toro said.
Technology, Education, Agriculture, Community and Health Development is renovating an abandoned school building on a 23-acre lot.
TEACH CEO Mark Chasan said he has plans to build a Hawaiian cultural immersion center and incorporate agriculture at the site. He wants it to be an educational opportunity for children.
The county Office of Economic Development plans to meet with the developer to determine how to proceed.
ON THE MOVE
The Hawai‘i Convention Center has announced additions to and a promotion within its sales team:
>> Lois Asato has been promoted to director of accounts- local from sales manager-Hawaii. Her responsibilities include handling all HCC catering sales, including banquets, conferences and expositions. Asato has more than 30 years of visitor industry experience, including serving as a groups and conventions coordinator for Trade Wind Tours and as part owner and general manager of Jaren Hawaii Travel agency.
>> Dawn Eagleton has been hired as its regional director of accounts-East Coast. She has 24 years of hospitality industry experience, including serving most recently as a citywide director-U.S. association sector for the Toronto Convention and Visitors Association since 2005. Eagleton also was national sales manager for the Norfolk Convention and Visitors Bureau as well as executive director of the Northeast Pennsylvania Convention and Visitors Bureau.
>> Christine Davidson joins HCC as its regional director of accounts-corporate. She has more than 20 years of hospitality industry experience, including serving as national sales manager for Team San Jose and director of sales for the Four Points by Sheraton San Jose Downtown property.
>> Meghan Feldstein is the new regional director of accounts-Midwest. She has seven years of hospitality sales experience, including serving as a national sales manager for Choose Chicago and in various sales positions with Hiltons of Chicago Sales Complex.
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