By: Brooke Wilzen

On Saturday, BEST hosted a Summer Celebration at Seward Park. The picnic was hosted to say, “Thank you” for the hard work and support of the board, staff, donors, and supporters of the BEST since the idea was first conceived in the summer of 2011.  The picnic was a fun-filled afternoon for everyone and, we could not have asked for more beautiful weather. We had a great breeze in the shade of the Seward Park trees, which kept the kids and adults cool on one of the warmest August days of the year. 

As a new employee, I was excited to attend the picnic and meet people’s families. It was wonderful seeing all the kids playing together and enjoying the lawn games and activities. The adults stayed cool and socialized under the trees. We all (adults and children) enjoyed a delicious lunch including sandwiches provided by BEST’s very own program manager, Ngoc Nguyen.
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Thank you to everyone who could attend the event. I was grateful for an event outside the office to get to know BEST supporters and their families. 

​ATLANTA, August 16, 2016 – Leaders of the Asian American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA) have announced the annual Northwest Region charity golf tournament resulted in donations of $51,000 to local and national charities.

The event, held at The Reserve Vineyards and Golf Club in Aloha, Ore., attracted 138 golfers from across the hospitality industry. Money raised is being donated to Make-a-Wish Oregon, the Autism Society of Oregon, and BEST (Businesses Ending Trafficking and Slavery).

“Anytime we can donate more than $50,000 to these important charities it is a great day for AAHOA and our entire industry,” said Chip Rogers, AAHOA president and CEO. “Lives will be changed in a positive manner because of the investments we make in these charitable organizations. Our hope is that this event will soon result more than $100,000 a year in donations.”

BEST Executive Director, Mar Brettmann says investments like the one from AAHOA make a big difference in their success, “We can change lives, and even save lives, by stopping human trafficking, but it takes resources. The impact of donations like this will be felt for generations.”

The annual AAHOA Northwest Regional Charity Golf Tournament has raised over $300,000 during the last decade. It is one of four annual charity tournaments held by the association across the United States. 


Founded in 1989, AAHOA (www.aahoa.com) is the largest hotel owners association in the world, with more than 15,000 small business owner-members. AAHOA members own almost one in every two hotels in the United States.

Did you miss the Washington Technology Industry Association (WTIA) symposium on Sex Trafficking in May? Well now you can watch the whole event on Youtube! 

Click Here to watch the half day conference that brought together approximately 70 leaders to debate and resolve how tech companies can combat illegal sex in Seattle and across the nation.
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by Brooke Wilzen
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I had a chance to sit down with BEST’s board president, Michael Maine, and learn a little more about his background, his involvement with BEST and where he draws his inspiration for his work.
 
Michael, how did you first become involved with BEST?
I was first introduced to BEST by former board member Lorinda Rowledge. After being introduced to BEST, I immediately wanted to learn more and become more engaged. I joined the board in 2012.

What motivates you about the mission of BEST?
I feel strongly that modern-day slavery, in all of its forms, is one of the most vile institutions on the face of the planet. As a descendant of slaves I still feel the effects of the institutionalized forced labor of and genocidal practices towards an entire group of people. The psychological, economic, and social effects permeate throughout not only the victims, but all of us who share this world. No human being should have to experience the suffering brought about by human trafficking or forced labor of any sort. As Kevin Bales and Ron Soodalter write in The Slave Next Door, “America was born with the congenital disease of slavery, and legal or illegal, it has never left us. Today, we are still conflicted about our slave-holding past and its ugly aftermath.” Much of what is going on now is underground. It’s time to raise awareness and take action.

​What role do you think business plays in preventing human trafficking?
Business is both powerful and influential. I see how businesses can use this power and influence to shift social norms by adopting policies and best practices to prevent human trafficking. I have a background in finance and marketing. After spending several years working on marketing strategies, marketing plans, and financial models, I’ve found that the successful businesses are the ones that have a deeper understanding of purpose. Those organizations are the ones who find a way to persevere. They are the happiest, most sustainable, and the most profitable. Their communities welcome them and they welcome their communities. Together, they build products, services, and programs that benefit all involved and all affected.
 
Michael is a socially engaged artist who holds an MBA and owns and operates his company Menrva Labs. He has been featured as a speaker for TEDx and is currently working on several projects that address social issues.