MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- Station residents gathered information and interacted with Japanese locals at the Info Expo inside the Club Iwakuni Ballroom aboard Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Sept. 12, 2015.
The Info Expo gave station residents a glimpse of not only services inside the gates but what Iwakuni City and the surrounding areas have to offer. Tourist destinations, shopping malls, local hotels and spa sponsors provided information and discounts to expo participants, and in turn the local community got a taste of the services offered on the air station.
“Off-base sponsors really liked the opportunity to meet station residents,” said Mitsuko Yoshimoto, lead event coordinator and information and referral specialist with Personal and Professional Development. “They don’t normally get the chance to come on the air station and interact with service members.”
Yoshimoto said she feels honored by the amount of sponsors that jumped at the chance to be a part of the Info Expo. Mr. and Mrs. Kishi, a couple with the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, and special guests from the Shunan International Children’s Club entertained expo participants with cultural dances.
“It’s not just the food and cultures mingling, it’s the togetherness and sharing of history,” said Jessi Leal, education career program manager for Marine Corps Community Services. “Several vendors came from up to 200 miles away to share their products and services.”
Sean McHenry, director of Personal and Professional Development, said the Info Expo is about consumer experience. He feels the mission of the expo is accomplished anytime he gets a positive reaction or a participant says they learned something new.
“The Info Expo is a great way to reach out to people who may not be able to visit the branch during normal working hours,” said Caroline Brokaw, member services representative at Navy Federal Credit Union. “It’s awesome to be a part of this. I’ve learned a lot about services and places on and off the air station that I had no idea about.”
The Info Expo continues to grow each year, with more and more local Japanese vendors joining, making it easier for station residents to access local travel and services information as well as providing an opening for the Japanese community to experience the American culture.
“It’s a big win any time we get the opportunity for both cultures to interact with one another,” said McHenry. “We are all part of one community, regardless of our origins. The expo does an excellent job of promoting the feeling of belonging.”