Steve Haweeli
 |
STEVE HAWEELI |
Steve Haweeli, founder and president of WordHampton Public Relations, is one of Long Island's most successful and recognizable agency principals.
He is an ambassador for the region who is often sought for views by national, NY metro and local media on the restaurant and hospitality business, social media and Hamptons lifestyle subjects. His award-winning firm representing signature hospitality, real estate and lifestyle businesses, is ranked by PR industry bible Jack O'Dwyer's Newsletter as one of the country's top 100 independent PR firms in the U.S.
In 2012 - his firm's 20th anniversary year - Haweeli builds on WordHampton's well-known strategic counseling and media expertise by announcing a new division: the Long Island Restaurant & Hospitality Group. The business-to-consumer promotions unit unites key brand assets established under Haweeli's aegis including Long Island Restaurant News, Long Island Restaurant Week and Hamptons Restaurant Week.
Since 2003, the restaurant weeks have earned the region's businesses tens of millions of dollars in revenue, boosted sales in the off-season by as much as 200%, and contributed awareness and funds to local food pantries. Emulated by many towns across America, the Long Island-wide campaign received the 2008 Big Apple Award for Marketing Consumer Services, Travel and Tourism/Hospitality from the Public Relations Society of America's New York Chapter.
Haweeli also leads the team that is acknowledged regularly for campaigns that build brand reputations, and most recently for its foray into social media nabbing four Fair Media Council Folio Awards in 2010 and 2011. This is a direct result of Haweeli being an early adopter of social media to deliver business value using Facebook, Twitter and Foursquare. Media, industry and learning institutions look to his expert insights regularly for panels and interviews.
Haweeli serves on the boards of the East Hampton Chamber of Commerce and Suffolk County Community College's Culinary Arts program where he is also a guest lecturer. He is a former board member for the Family Service League and has served as a vestry member of St. Luke's Episcopal Church in East Hampton. An active supporter of Long Island food pantries, he is also a member of the Public Relations Society of America's Counselors Academy, Public Relations Professionals of Long Island, Long Island Association, and James Beard House. Long Island Business News acknowledged him in the Fifty or so Around 50 Class of 2010 business leaders; and at the Long Island Hospitality Ball, on June 18, 2012, he will be recognized for his industry contributions as an honoree.
When not rooting for the Yankees or Islanders, fishing for stripers in pristine East End waters, or exploring new apps with a mobile device, he can be found with paintbrush in hand. In 2007, Haweeli found his calling as an artist creating vibrant contemporary abstract works in oil and acrylic. His works have been shown in the Hamptons at Guild Hall, Ashawagh Hall, Karyn Mannix Contemporary and OutEast Gallery; and may be found in several private collections.
A graduate of Hamilton College, he resides in East Hampton with his son Ned.
© 2012 WordHampton Public Relations, Inc.