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Starwood Hawaii names Wienert regional director of public relations

By Staff | Feb 10, 2011

“I’m thrilled to be joining a company with such an outstanding reputation in the travel industry — globally, nationally and right here in Hawaii,” said Marsha Wienert. “I’ve been fortunate to already have worked closely with a number of my new colleagues, and I am excited to be a part of such a great team.”

HONOLULU — Starwood Hotels & Resorts Hawaii last week named Marsha Wienert its regional director of public relations.

In her new position, Wienert will be responsible for all aspects of public relations, including campaign development and implementation, crisis communication and public affairs.

She will focus on the Sheraton, Westin, Luxury Collection and St. Regis brands found here in Hawaii and report to Angela Vento, regional director of sales and marketing for Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc.-Hawaii and French Polynesia.

“We are absolutely delighted to have someone of Marsha’s extraordinary caliber join our marketing team,” said Keith Vieira, senior vice president and director of operations for Starwood in Hawaii and French Polynesia.

“Anyone who knows her understands that despite her diminutive stature, Marsha is a marketing giant. We are excited to have her working with us.”

“The perspectives that Marsha brings — both from her neighbor island experience and the global view she gained over seven-and-a-half years as state tourism liaison — will be priceless,” said Vento. “We’re simply elated to have her with Starwood.”

Wienert most recently served in the cabinet of former Hawaii Gov. Linda Lingle as the state’s first tourism liaison. There she worked with the Hawaii Tourism Authority; the visitor industry; state, county and federal government agencies; and the community on issues affecting tourism and its continued growth.

Previously, Wienert served as executive director of the Maui Visitors Bureau, where she was instrumental in rebranding Maui. She initiated and oversaw all of Maui’s tourism marketing efforts, creating new synergy between travel partners, resorts, airlines and government.

Earlier, Wienert served as vice president for marketing, Maui, for Amfac/JMB Hawaii; director of marketing for the Kaanapali Beach Resort Association; and resort marketing manager for Wailea Development Company/Wailea Resort Company.

Recognizing her accomplishments in the more than two decades she has been involved in tourism marketing in Hawaii, Travel Agent magazine named her one of “The Most Powerful Women in Travel” seven years in a row. In 2002, the magazine’s editors voted her “U.S. Destination Person of the Year.”