State of the Island: Tourism Breakfast

Join us for a morning of insights, networking, and a delicious breakfast featuring:

Keynote Speaker: Kerrie Tripp, Discover New England

With over 20 years in hospitality and tourism, Kerrie Tripp remains committed to daily learning and growth within the industry. In her latest role, she has continued to collaborate with New England’s industry as well as international travel trade and media.

Previously at Sutherland Weston Marketing Communications, Kerrie worked to establish a
tourism-focused division. The majority of her career was spent as the Executive Director of the Greater Bangor Convention & Visitors Bureau. There, she adeptly managed partnerships across Maine and Atlantic Canada, showcasing Greater Bangor, The Maine Highlands, and New England at key trade and industry events.

Kerrie still lives in Bangor Maine but loves every opportunity to get out and explore and learn about the amazing six states that make up New England.

Welcome Speaker: Bernard Chiu, Owner of Harbor View

Bernard Chiu is the founder and Chairman of Upland Capital Corporation. Prior to founding Upland Capital, Bernard founded Duracraft Corporation, a home comfort appliance manufacturing and marketing company. Under Bernard’s leadership as Chief Executive Officer, President, and Chairman, Duracraft became one of the fastest-growing and most successful brands and companies in America. The company was one of the most successful IPOs when it went public in 1993. As a result of Duracraft’s success, the company was approached by, and sold to, Honeywell in an unsolicited transaction of nearly $300,000,000. Following his accomplishment with Duracraft, Bernard became Chairman of the Board of First Act Inc., a pioneer, and leader in musical products. First Act offers an innovative line of musical instruments for all ages and was named “Company of the Year” by Music Trades Magazine. A Hong Kong native, Bernard has been a U.S. Citizen for more than 30 years and has become a successful business and real estate entrepreneur who supports various educational and local community groups.

Panel Moderator:  James Hagerty, Edgartown Town Administrator

James Hagerty, a Martha’s Vineyard native, has served as the Town Administrator for Edgartown, Massachusetts, since 2018. In this role, he manages 26 departments, oversees more than 200 employees, and directs a $56 million annual budget alongside a $200 million capital plan. Under his leadership, Edgartown attained a coveted 'AAA' bond rating and completed numerous capital projects that have modernized the town’s infrastructure and services.

In addition to his municipal role, James is a Lieutenant Colonel in the United States Marine Corps Reserves, where he serves as an Emergency Preparedness Liaison Officer with FEMA Region 1, coordinating interagency disaster response. He holds both a BS and an MBA from Northeastern University and actively contributes to his community as a board member for Martha’s Vineyard Bank and the Dukes County Contributory Retirement Board. With deep multigenerational roots on the island and extensive leadership in municipal management, finance, and military service, James is a vital voice on travel, tourism, and community resilience

Panel Members include:

Billie Jean Sullivan, Executive Director Oak Bluffs Association

Billie Jean Sullivan is originally from Connecticut, but fell in love with Martha’s Vineyard from her first visit in college for a summer job. She moved to Martha’s Vineyard full time in 2010 after raising a family. Her professional life has encompassed different fields in the art world. She worked in graphic design, publishing, retail, gallery management and arts administration. She has created, owned and managed three different businesses.

Presently, Ms. Sullivan is the Executive Director of the Oak Bluffs Association. A one person run non-profit organization with a Board that acts as a liaison to the Town municipality, OB businesses and the community at large creating a harmonious atmosphere in the Town. OBA runs five events a year such as LGBTQ+ Pride Weekend, Harborfest, Tivoli Day, Halloween in OB and the Lighting up OB, as well as fundraisers, and memberships.

Ms Sullivan has found her home Oak Bluffs. She loves the outdoors and will be out dog-walking, kayaking or clamming around Lagoon Pond.

Elaine Barse, President Vineyard Haven Business Association

Elaine Barse is the President of the Vineyard Haven Business Association (VHBA). The VHBA works in partnership with the Vineyard Haven Harbor Cultural District (VHHCD) as Visit Vineyard Haven (VVH). VVH aims to stimulate both commerce and culture year-round for both residents and visitors for the town of Tisbury, by creating events such as First Friday, Halloween Happening and Tis the Season. It also strives to maintain effective communication with town government while working as a voice for the businesses in Tisbury. She is the owner of the Green Room, located at 71 Main Street in Vineyard Haven. A year-round Island staple since 1994, the Green Room started as a small shop on Spring St and expanded onto Main St in 2003. In 2021, Elaine opened the Green Room Shoe Store at 65 Main St. In 2003, as the President of the Martha's Vineyard SkatePark Association (MVSPA) she helped oversee the construction of the MV SkatePark and is a current board member. Elaine enjoys being involved with her local community and making a positive impact.

Erin Ready, Executive Director Edgartown Board of Trade

Erin Ready has been a year-round resident of Martha's Vineyard since 2011, when she and her husband moved to open Edgartown Meat & Fish Market.

As small business owners, Erin organically became involved with the Edgartown Board of Trade, and took the position as their Executive Director in 2015. She enjoys advocating for the town and creatively fulfilling the organization’s mission all year long.

She lives in Edgartown with her husband, three young children, and beloved dog.

Matthew Moore, General Manager of Winnetu Oceanside Resort and Martha's Vineyard Lodging Association Board Member

Matthew Moore, is currently the General Manager & Beekeeper for the Winnetu Oceanside Resort in Edgartown. He again guided the property to a AAA 4 Diamond rating (a first in the resort’s 19-year history). Property has been consistently recognized by Travel & Leisure Magazine, Conde Nast Traveler, Martha’s Vineyard Magazine, and Boston Magazine as among the best properties on Martha’s Vineyard, in Massachusetts and/or in New England. Winnetu is currently rated #1 by TripAdvisor, US News and World Reports and Cape Cod Life Magazine. In 2024, they were honored for being the #1 Hotel in New England, #3 Hotel in the USA and remarkably the #16 Best Hotel in the World by Travel + Leisure Magazine.

In addition to the Hotel, Moore also serves on the board of directors for the MV Lodging Association, The Edgartown Board of Trade and NEIRA (New England Inns and Resorts).

Matt is also proud of his civil service and giving back to his community, serving as a 4-time elected official in Holbrook, MA – as a member of on the Select Board, which he served 3 of those years as Chair. He was also an active member on the Permanent School Building Committee for 10 years – where they designed, built and completed a $103m school project on time and $8m under budget. The project was the first of its kind: pre-k to 12th grade concept. In his spare time, he was also the founder and Executive Director of Holbrook Bulldog Basketball Association and coached 5 boys youth basketball teams (4-8 grades).

He currently lives in Edgartown with his wife Jeanne and their three kids where he is an Edgartown Town Meeting Member.

Michael J. Bobbitt, Executive Director of Mass Cultural Council

Michael J. Bobbitt is a distinguished theater artist. As the Executive Director of Mass Cultural Council, he is the highest-ranking public official in Massachusetts state government focused on arts and culture. Since 2021, he has led the Agency through several initiatives, including the development of its first Racial Equity Plan, d/Deaf & Disability Equity and Access Plan, and Native American & Indigenous Equity Plan; the launch of the nation’s first statewide Social Prescribing Initiative; the securing and distribution of $60.1 million in pandemic relief funding; and the design and implementation of a strategic plan for fiscal years 2024-2026. Recently, Bobbitt was listed as one of the Boston Business Journal’s Power 50 Movement Makers. He has been appointed by Governor Maura Healey to serve on both the Governor’s Advisory Council on Black Empowerment and the newly established Massachusetts Cultural Policy Development Advisory Council and recently received an honorary Doctor of Fine Arts, honoris causa from Dean College. He is a proud alumnus of the University of Massachusetts Amherst.