Environmental Study Travel Topic Audience Breaks American Samoa Chamber of Commerce Attendance Record

Fifty five people poured into Sadie's By The Sea's Goat Island conference room yesterday erasing any previous American Samoa Chamber of Commerce meeting attendance record.

At the meeting seven government agencies were represented, included Manu'a District Governor High Chief LaoLagi Vaeao, American Samoa Community College President, Dr. Rosevonne Pato and American Samoa's Congressional Representative Amata Aumua's Chief of Staff, High Chief Pulu. A hefty group of students enlivened the discussion with a barrage of discussion questions.

Chamber President, John Wasko said, " The large turnout indicated the public and private sector interest in building new industries that generate new money for American Samoa. Students are particularly interested to know if they will have jobs waiting for them when they complete their studies."

The conference speakers did not disappoint. Dr. Douglas Fenner, a world recognized specialist on Coral Reefs noted, " American Samoa has world class quality coral reefs and undisturbed rainforests." Dr. Fenner added the , "college and university environmental study travel groups will pay any amount of money and travel to any location to have a world class environmental and cultural experience."

Scott Burch, Superintendent of the National Park of American Samoa, agreed. "The park generates a million dollars a year in revenue for American Samoa. The park, however, has few funds for marketing."

Mr. Wasko made it clear that the Chamber is ready to step in as a development partner with the American Samoa Government and federal environmental organizations." He noted the that the Environmental Study Travel industry is a $32 billion dollar industry in the US alone. "The American Samoa Chamber of Commerce will build the business model that will bring students to American Samoa and put people to work."

to Patty

Environmental Study Travel Topic Breaks Chamber of Commerce Attendance Record

55 people poured into Sadies By The Sea’s Goal Island conference room yesterday erasing any previous single Chamber meeting attendance record.

Seven government agencies were represented, including Manu’a District Governor Lao Lagi Vaeao and ASCC President, dr. Rosevonne Pato. A hefty group of Samoana high school student livened the afternoon with a barrage of questions. Aumua Chief of Staff, HC Pulu attended.

Chamber President , John Wasko, said “the large crowd indicated the public and private sector interest in building new industries that generate new, off island money for American Samoa.”. He added that, students were seeking options of, “ how they will find stateside level salaries without leaving their home or families.”

The afternoon speakers did not disappoint. Dr. Doug Fenner, a globally recognized coral reef researcher noted that, “ American Samoa’s coral reefs are world class quality.” He added that study travel colleges and university customers “are more than willing to come to American Samoa at any cost for a world class environmental and cultural learning experience .”

Scott Burch, superintendent of Paka o Samoa echoed the sentiment. “The park already brings in one million a year to American Samoa. The National Park Service however has no money for marketing.”

Wasko made it clear that the chamber is prepared to step in as a business Development partner with ASG and NPS . He noted that college and university Environmental Study Travel is a $32 billion dollar industry. “We will build the business model that will bring visiting students to American Samoa and put people here to work.”

A planned video conference with Dr. Richard Page, Study Travel Advisor at Ocean University in Qing Dao China failed because the internet service provider could not provide a sufficient bandwidth connection speed rate.

“We expect bumps,” Wasko concluded. “ There is still a lot of work to do.”

Next month, Dec. 20, the chamber will elect board members for the coming year, 2019.

The event was sponsored by Harbor Maritime Services. 

12:55 AM (7 hours ago)

to Patty

Environmental Study Travel Topic Breaks Chamber of Commerce Attendance Record

55 people poured into Sadies By The Sea’s Goal Island conference room yesterday erasing any previous single Chamber meeting attendance record.

Seven government agencies were represented, including Manu’a District Governor Lao Lagi Vaeao and ASCC President, dr. Rosevonne Pato. A hefty group of Samoana high school student livened the afternoon with a barrage of questions. Aumua Chief of Staff, HC Pulu attended.

Chamber President , John Wasko, said “the large crowd indicated the public and private sector interest in building new industries that generate new, off island money for American Samoa.”. He added that, students were seeking options of, “ how they will find stateside level salaries without leaving their home or families.”

The afternoon speakers did not disappoint. Dr. Doug Fenner, a globally recognized coral reef researcher noted that, “ American Samoa’s coral reefs are world class quality.” He added that study travel colleges and university customers “are more than willing to come to American Samoa at any cost for a world class environmental and cultural learning experience .”

Scott Burch, superintendent of Paka o Samoa echoed the sentiment. “The park already brings in one million a year to American Samoa. The National Park Service however has no money for marketing.”

Wasko made it clear that the chamber is prepared to step in as a business Development partner with ASG and NPS . He noted that college and university Environmental Study Travel is a $32 billion dollar industry. “We will build the business model that will bring visiting students to American Samoa and put people here to work.”

A planned video conference with Dr. Richard Page, Study Travel Advisor at Ocean University in Qing Dao China failed because the internet service provider could not provide a sufficient bandwidth connection speed rate.

“We expect bumps,” Wasko concluded. “ There is still a lot of work to do.”

Next month, Dec. 20, the chamber will elect board members for the coming year, 2019.

The event was sponsored by Harbor Maritime Services.