Destination Hawaii

Allison August serves as the assistant director of group sales at Wailea Beach Resort – Marriott, Maui. With a dynamic background in luxury hospitality, she brings deep expertise in group sales strategy, client engagement and destination-driven experiences. Her career spans roles at premier brands including Four Seasons, St. Regis and Kohler, where she honed her passion for creating unforgettable guest journeys. At Wailea Beach Resort, August plays a key role in elevating Maui as a top-tier group travel destination through personalized service and aloha spirit.

Bob Lowell has dedicated over three decades to Hawaii's hospitality industry. Today, he continues to lead Kōkua Destination Services with the same enthusiasm that sparked his career. Partnering with corporate incentive groups, meeting planners,and special event clients, Lowell designs experiences that celebrate success and create authentic connections to Hawai'i Nēi. Guided by the true spirit of kōkua — helping, supporting and uplifting others — his work ensures that every guest departs with lasting memories and a heartfelt desire to return…always with aloha!

With a foundation in business and an early career in the music and film industry, Tina Giangiacomo-Yogya built her expertise in Los Angeles. She collaborated on high-profile events such as those with the Sundance Film Festival before returning to the San Francisco Bay Area. Her diverse experience spans venture capital, computer tech and entertainment. In 2020, Giangiacomo-Yogya launched her own company, SF Bay Events & Incentives, which has built a strong clientele primarily consisting of venture capital and investment clients. Her vast background and experience underscore a passion for bringing vision and organization to diverse projects. 

Brent Lausterer was named director of sales for the Maui Visitors and Convention Bureau by the Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau, effective June 4. With more than 25 years of hospitality experience, he most recently served as area group sales manager at Prince Resorts Hawaii. Raised on Maui, Lausterer has also held senior sales and marketing leadership roles at properties like the Westin Maui Resort and Spa, the Sheraton Kauai Resort, and multiple Hyatt hotels across the islands. In his new role, he leads group and leisure sales efforts for Maui, Molokai and Lanai. 

Blake Leeper was born in Kingsport, Tenn., with both legs missing below the knee and has worn prosthetics since he was nine months old. He made his international track debut in 2009 at Rio de Janeiro, and won a silver medal in the World Championships 4 x 100m relay in 2011, an individual silver medal in the 400m T44 event and a bronze medal in the 200m at the 2012 Paralympic Games. Leeper has made history by becoming the first double-leg amputee to compete at the USATF National Championships, where in 2019 he broke a World Record in the 400m with a time of 44.38 seconds. He ran the sixth-fastest time in the world this year, including among able-bodied runners. 

Lizzie Wilcox is the associate editor of Northstar Meetings Group, primarily covering the Southeast region and cruise industry. She joined NMG in 2021 after three years at Coral Gables Magazine in Miami. She earned a B.S. in media management and B.A. in French from the University of Miami in 2018. Now based in Manhattan, she spends her free time running on the West Side Highway, trying new coffee shops and taking pictures of her cat.