Visitors Bureau Touts APEC at Group Marketing Events

Conventions and business meetings in Hawaii are a key segment in the state's tourism industry. File photo by Wendy Osher.

By Sonia Isotov

At two major marketing events this month, the Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau’s (HVCB) sales team will be highlighting the success of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) conference as an example of Hawaii’s ability to host large scale business meeting.

The HVCB will be marketing new group business for the Hawaiian Islands at two major Meeting Professionals International (MPI) chapter events in California and Georgia:

• the Northern California Chapter’s Annual Conference & Expo, February 16
• the Georgia Chapter’s Meetings Exploration Conference, February 22-24

Both chapters are among MPI’s largest with more than 1,000 members each.

“The HTA, together with the Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau, look forward to promoting our Hawaiian Islands as the ideal place for high-level business meetings,” said Mike McCartney, president and chief executive officer of the Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA).

The HVCB plans to drive more group meeting business by highlighting the success of the APEC conference last November. File photo.

“Our success in hosting the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Leaders Meeting (APEC), in addition to the gains we’ve made in direct air access from North America, Asia and the South Pacific to Hawaii, adds to the strong case for more business meetings to be held in our state.”

A key message being highlighted by HVCB to planners will be Hawaii’s successful hosting of the 2011 APEC summit last November, all of which was accomplished with heads of state led by President Obama, high-level finance ministers and policy-makers, top CEOs, and thousands of delegates from 21 nations engaged in a week’s worth of business meetings and special events.

The all-day Northern California Chapter conference at Moscone West in San Francisco will feature an exposition, networking reception, and multiple workshops. More than 600 meeting planners and industry professionals are registered to attend. HVCB’s sales efforts for Hawaii will be led by Michael Murray, CMP, CMM, CASE, vice president of sales and marketing, and Joan Palmtag, western regional sales director.

The three-day Georgia Chapter conference at the Atlanta Convention Center will feature an exposition and series of networking opportunities and special events for HVCB to interact with the more than 400 meeting planners and industry professionals that are participating. Leading HVCB’s sales efforts is Joseph Nagle, eastern regional sales director.