It's 28 degrees and we arrived in Philadelphia safe and sound. We passed Independence Hall and took a quick shot from our bus window.
(Later in the afternoon we had to go back to get a closer look and take this amazing photo!)
We parked our Spirit of Aloha bus across Reading Terminal Market and stopped in for breakfast and scrapple -- a Philly delicacy -- at Downtown Diner. This marketplace is located in an historic Philadelphia district. Here are Candace, Lena and Farwyn with SI (Shave Ice).
We also met a new friend Zach Santo who goes absolutely crazy over Hawaiian Shave Ice --- cherry flavor! He says it's even better than Philly's sweet treat, water ice.
After the quick bite, we headed across the street to the Marriott Philadelphia Downtown Hotel where Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort & Spa Director of Marketing John Limper, North Asia, Hawaii and South Pacific Vice President Ed Hubennette and Wailea Beach Marriott Resort & Spa General Manager Bill Countryman shared the aloha spirit with the City of Brotherly Love and our friends at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR). AACR has used our JW Marriott Ihilani Resort & Spa in the past and is considering using our Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort & Spa for an upcoming event.
Linda Still, CMP, Director of Meetings and Events and the AACR team came to visit us at the hotel. We hosted them with melodic island music and hula performances by the Polynesian Cultural Center dancers. Here's a clip of the festivities, followed by Linda chatting with John and Ed.
Linda likes Shave Ice and fell in love with our SI (Shave Ice). She can't wait to return to Hawaii's Big Island in 2010 for a group meeting.
Deira and Glynis of AACR jumped onto the stage and learned how to hula. They've got it down!
Here's Ed, Candace, Marriott International Association Account Executive, Global Accounts, Kevin M. Kelly, John and Bill. Kevin works closely witih Charlene Nakamura, Director of National Accounts for Marriott Resorts Hawaii to get potential group business such as AACR to come to the islands.
Kevin chats about how we brought the warmth and aloha spirit to chilly Philly, and we hope he visits us in the islands soon!
Tim Haggerty, Director of Sales & Marketing and Kevin Kelly, Association Account Executive, Marriott Global Accounts, assisted with the planning and execution of our event. Bellman Matt “Flash” was a big help in securing our parking for the bus. We were able to showcase the Spirit of Aloha bus directly across the main entrance to the hotel. And last but not least, mahalo, American Association for Cancer Research!
-- Marriott's Spirit of Aloha Tour team
