Making the Opening Grand

Point at Poipu celebrated its team, members, owners and the local culture to bring new energy to its freshly renovated property.

Whether they’re for a rebranding, a renovation or opening a resort to the public for the first time, grand openings can be challenging to pull off but also offer opportunities to bring fresh attention to a revitalized property. After a five-year renovation, Diamond Resorts’ Point at Poipu, in Kauai, Hawaii, held a grand reopening in June, featuring the new fitness center, pool, hot tub and the newly landscaped gardens. Its area general manager, Jamie Shigeta, shares tips for hosting a successful celebration.

The resort generated buzz for the event by promoting it across social media, issuing a press release and reaching out to local and trade publications. Because Point at Poipu remained open during renovations, the team was able to let owners and guests know about the reopening by word of mouth as well. “Because many of our guests visit annually, we develop close relationships with them and are able to communicate with them directly,” Shigeta says.

In addition to letting members, owners and guests see and experience the property, Shigeta says, it was important to acknowledge team contributions. “Our team members gave extraordinary efforts over the past five years,” Shigeta says. “Undergoing a five-year renovation project while operating a resort is no easy task, and our team certainly sharpened their skills.”

When planning an event, Shigeta recommends finding ways to incorporate the local traditions of the destination. For Point at Poipu, this took the form of a customary Hawaiian blessing ceremony. Rooting parts of the celebration in the area’s culture can help showcase what makes the property and destination stand out.

As long as resorts utilize all promotional resources and also honor the labor involved and highlight the characteristics that set them apart, the grand opening should go off without a hitch and create new excitement. “Our team members and guests enjoyed a wonderful celebration and were able to experience the true aloha spirit that makes Hawaii so special,” Shigeta says.

Image credit: Courtesy of Point at Poipu