Page 5 - MidWeek Kauai - March 30, 2022

Premier Trade Show Features Over 200 Exhibitors From Hawai‘i And Beyond
FROM PAGE 4
MARCH 30, 2022
KAUA‘I MIDWEEK 5
VEDGECO HAWAI‘I
The founder and CEO of VEDGEco Hawai‘i, Trevor Hitch, launched his company in 2019 after seeing “how little freedom of food choice for plant-based options existed in the foodservice indus- try.” Now, he operates the nation’s first vegan food service distributor while supplying plant-based meats, seafood, dairy and eggs to scores of foodservice operators.
“What is exciting about plant-based options for operators is that there is so much potential revenue to add to their menus,” explains the Chicago native who’s called Kailua home for the past 12 years. “Their customers want these products and all the operators need to do is find which plant-based options are the right fit for their brand and their customers and keep it on the menu.
“We want operators to make solid margins with plant-based op- tions while offering inclusive options to all their customers,” he adds. As for this year’s Hawai‘i Hotel & Restaurant Show, Hitch is grateful to be a part of it and will be introducing new product innovations in the market, including the plant-based “Spam” musubi from OMNI Foods. “VEDGEco is incredibly excited to be one of the show sponsors,” he says. “As a member of the Hawai‘i Restaurant Association, this premier trade show is our first oppor- tunity to meet the greater foodservice Hawai‘i community and introduce our inno- vative, delicious brands
VEDGEco Hawai‘i’s trade
show menu includes a
plant-based “spam” musubi.
PHOTO COURTESY VEDGECO HAWAI‘I
in person.”
opportunity for participants to help strengthen the local community.
that this year’s show will create a buzz of excitement that will rever- berate throughout Hawai‘i and far beyond its shores.
he says. “It will show that we did itwell,wediditinasafewayand it will all be a part of our economic recovery.”
“It’s not just an exhibit for us, but an opportunity to have some great auction items ... to stay at resorts and take a trip to the main- land,” he notes. “Best of all, it all goes to (HLTA and HRA) scholar- ship funds.”
“I anticipate it’s going to be great because everybody will say, ‘Yep, we have to do more of these large and structured gatherings,’ and then these and other types of meetings will begin to take place,”
This year’s event will also feature a number of key sponsors. Here’s a brief look at these vital contributors and what their representatives have to say about the upcoming Hawai‘i Hotel & Restaurant Show.
Finally, Hannemann is confident
Mike Rompel knows all about business adver- sity. When he assumed control of O‘ahu’s six re- maining Domino’s pizzerias in 2006, the “restau- rants were losing $600,000 a year and really not hanging on.”
no’s culture in Hawai‘i, we started to get our legs under us and really grinded for the next 10 years. By the time we peeked our heads above water, we were able to see the potential for prosperity in our future.”
But he refused to give up because as cheesy as it may sound, life is always best when pizza is pres- ent. Thankfully, his commitment to the pie received some much-needed help from a banking institution.
Today, he’s the Hawai‘i franchisee for Domi- no’s and looking forward to this year’s showcase. “Like every other business and person in busi- ness, I have a renewed appreciation for trade shows and networking opportunities following
“I often say that I was fixing and operating a bankrupt business, but Hawai‘i National Bank just didn’t let me go bankrupt,” recalls Rompel, who got his start in Las Vegas as a pizza maker and delivery driver.
the lockdown,” Rompel says.
“This trade show is simple: In Hawai‘i, you’re
“After the first few years of building a Domi-
either in tourism or you’re in business because of tourism. There’s hardly any business that can’t afford not to attend.”
DOMINO’S
INDONESIA TRADE PROMOTION CENTER LA
New to this year’s trade show is Indonesia Trade Promotion Center LA, a nonprofit that promotes an array of Indonesian products in the United States.
But don’t let the organization’s fresh face fool you — its savvy representatives are intent on carving out their niche in the Hawai‘i market.
“Hawai‘i is one of the states that’s still untapped by trade representatives, especially from Indonesia,” observes administrative and accounting executive Sherina Msen. “Through this trade show, we hope to reengage the Hawai‘i market, resulting in more awareness of Indonesian products.”
For this year’s show, the trade development agency plans to bring along two established furniture companies: Indo Puri, which sells modern artisan furniture and is based in Atlanta, Georgia; and Bali Aga, which sells
high-end furniture from Bali and Indonesia,
and is located right here in the islands. “We are very excited (to be a part of Hawai‘i Hotel & Restaurant Show),” says Msen. “The hospitality industry has been among the hardest-hit sectors by the pan- demic. With all these recoveries all over the place, it is estimated that both leisure travel and business travel will return. This is a crucial time for the industry to restart
The team at Indonesia Trade Promotion Center LA is ready for its first trade show appearance in Hawai‘i.
stronger than ever.”
Founded by a group of physicians in 1996, UHA Health Insurance has built its reputation on principles such as trust and reassurance. In doing so, the agency has gained the confidence of thousands who have come to admire it for its clear and straightforward approach to health insurance.
UHA HEALTH INSURANCE
As the company explains, “Health in- surance can be complicated. We’re here to make it simpler.”
The goal of UHA is to make health insurance “simpler” for the thousands of businesses and members it represents.
Currently, the health insurance provider serves more than 4,000 local businesses and nearly 7,800 members and employees in the hotel and restaurant industries.
UHA also recognizes the need to champion crucial industries in the islands, espe- cially the tourism sector. It’s why the company chose to be a part of this year’s Hawai‘i Hotel & Restaurant Show as its breakfast sponsor.
“Over 30,000 jobs in the hotel industry alone were impacted by the pandemic,” the company says in a prepared statement. “With tourism being the largest industry in Hawai‘i, we recognize the importance of supporting the Hawai‘i Hotel & Restaurant Show ... The pandemic has been hard for businesses of all sizes and as a member of the Hawai‘i Restaurant Association and Hawai‘i Lodging & Tourism Association, sup- porting our restaurant and hospitality members and clients across the state is a priority.”
PHOTO COURTESY ITPC LA
PHOTO COURTESY
UHA HEALTH INSURANCE