Ritz-Carlton Waikiki Beach names two new directors

The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Waikiki Beach announced two leadership appointments in its sales and marketing department. Jon Ushijima has been appointed as director of Asia sales, while Huy Vo has been appointed as director of public relations.

In his new position, Ushijima is responsible for overseeing the resort’s Asia sales strategy, including partnerships with corporate, leisure, community and travel trade clients and key distributors in all its key markets throughout Asia. Ushijima brings more than 20 years of combined hospitality and hotel sales experience to The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Waikiki Beach. He previously served as director of resort sales - Asia for Irongate, developer of The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Waikiki Beach, as part of the resort’s pre-opening team where he spearheaded strategic sales and initiatives in Asia. Prior to this, he held a number of sales leader positions at other hotels and resorts in Hawaii, including The Kahala Hotel & Resort and Starwood Hotels & Resorts’ four legacy properties in Waikiki and the Sheraton Maui.

Born in Okinawa and raised in Honolulu, Ushijima graduated from Saint Louis School and earned a Bachelor’s degree in International Business from the University of Hawaii at Manoa.

In his new position, Vo is responsible for overseeing the resort’s global communications strategy, which includes public relations, advertising, digital marketing and community relations. He brings more than 10 years of strategic communications experience in the areas of hospitality, luxury and travel and tourism to the resort. He previously served as director of marketing for Irongate also as part of the resort’s pre-opening team, where he led all global marketing initiatives for the resort. Prior to this, he held a number of public relations and marketing leadership positions at The Kahala Hotel & Resort and Hawaiian Airlines.

Born and raised in Honolulu, Vo graduated from McKinley High School and earned a bachelor’s degree in Journalism from the University of Oregon. He serves on the board of directors for PBS Hawaii, the Public Relations Society of America Hawaii and McKinley High School Foundation. Vo is a recipient of the Young Public Relations Professional of the Year Award (2011) and the President’s Leadership Award (2015), both from PRSA.

Both directors will be instrumental in leading the opening of the resort’s Diamond Head Tower. The launch, taking place in Summer 2018, will mark the completion of the resort and will include 246 additional  residences, all with unobstructed ocean views, a second resort pool, expanded spa, gourmet market, children’s facility and 2,500 square feet of meeting and event space. The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Waikiki Beach launched in July 2016 with the opening of its ‘Ewa Tower, which has 307 ocean-facing residences, Waikiki's highest infinity pool, three restaurants and The Ritz-Carlton Spa.