Sandi Yara Communications Information

Born and raised on Oahu, Sandi Yara has over 25 years of public relations experience in the travel industry, Sandi Yara has planned and executed numerous marketing promotions and special projects for hotels, visitor destinations and non-profit organizations. Her resume includes a senior level position at McNeil Wilson Communications where she led the Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau (HVCB) team. As Vice President/Account Supervisor, her responsibilities included planning and implementation of the annual North America public relations initiatives for HVCB and overseeing and managing large-scale media/consumer campaigns including: Hawaii Arts Season, Aloha Live! Concert Tour, Experience Aloha! Hawaii on Tour and Chefs of Aloha. Prior to her work at the agency, Sandi Yara was Director - Public Relations and Promotions for Outrigger Hotels & Resorts for over 15 years. During her tenure with Outrigger, she developed and executed the annual communications plan for brand projects and key resorts; coordinated group and individual media visits, on-property filming and radio remote broadcasts; served as the primary contact for local, consumer and travel trade media; and co-developed high-profile promotions and special events such as Cuisines of the Pacific and Outrigger Hotels Rainbow Classic. AWARDS - Sandi Yara has received awards from PRSA, HSMAI and IABC on behalf of her clients and several for her individual achievements at Outrigger including three prestigious President's Awards and an Outstanding Achievement Award. AFFILIATIONS - Sandi Yara is active with organizations and is a member of the Society of American Travel Writers, Honolulu Academy of Arts, Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York) and Waikiki Improvement Association. She has served as membership chair for the American Marketing Association - Hawaii chapter; board member for the YWCA of Oahu; communications chair for the American Cancer Society - Hawaii-Pacific Division; public relations chair for the Hawaii Sales & Marketing Association and co-chair for the Aloha Festivals Waikiki Hoolaulea.