Below: Hula dancers.
Right: Post-conference
networking event in Maui.
and a US$55.4 million redevelopment at the
Hawaii Prince Hotel Waikiki, both expected
to be completed next year.
Anderson says Hawai‘i’s accommodation
and transport options make it an ideal place
to do business.
“It’s a mature destination and it’s an
experienced meetings and incentives
destination,” she says.
“It’s able to cater to everything from small
groups, which could be incentive groups or
small senior leadership teams, to conferences
of up to 10,000 and everywhere in between.”
While the majority of Hawai‘i’s visitor numbers
are made up of leisure travellers, Anderson says
there’s a lot of value in holidaymakers seeing
Hawai‘i’s potential as a business destination.
“It’s definitely a two way street in both regards,
in that quite often you’ll have people who will
come on a leisure trip, whether it’s with family
or friends, and they have such an amazing time
that it often sparks interest to come back as
part of a business event,” she says.
“And vice versa – people who have been to
Hawai‘i for a business event, whether it’s a
conference, meeting or incentive trip, often
love it so much that they want to come back
with their friends and family.”
Center (HCC), which is “the centrepiece of
Hawai‘i’s meetings market”, according to
Vickie Omura, Meet Hawai‘i vice president,
citywide sales and marketing.
“The HCC prides itself on listening to its
clients and providing added comfort and
flexibility to their meeting needs,” she says.
This year, the HCC has seen multiple upgrades
including additional seating, improved
outdoor lighting and new technology.
The majority of visitors head to Oahu, home
to the state capital Honolulu and two thirds
of Hawai‘i’s population.
“We understand the importance of keeping
mobile devices charged throughout the day,
so HCC now provides two charging locker
stations where attendees can charge their
phones and tablets securely,” says Omura.
It’s also home to the Hawaii Convention
In September, the HCC welcomed over
ISLANDS OF HAWAI‘I
Kaua‘i
O‘ahu
Moloka‘i
The oldest and northernmost island,
Kaua‘i is famed for its natural beauty.
Visitors are spoilt for choice of outdoor
adventures with quad bike tours,
boat tours, horseback riding and
stand-up paddle boarding among the
most popular activities. Don’t miss
the Waimea Canyon, dubbed the
“Grand Canyon of the Pacific” and
the towering mountain cliffs of
the Napali Coast.
Home to the majority of Hawai‘i’s
population and the state capital
Honolulu, O‘ahu is a unique mix of
town and country, and historic and
contemporary. It offers a variety of
accommodations, shopping, dining,
meeting venues and team-building
options. Relive American history at the
memorials and museums of Pearl Harbor
or soak up the sun and take a surfing
lesson on Waikiki Beach.
With most locals of native Hawai‘ian
ancestry, Moloka‘i is the place to learn
more about Hawai‘i’s fascinating
traditions. The island is unspoiled
and unhurried, with quiet open roads
and an extensive program of outdoor
activities and cultural experiences.
Step back in time to the sleepy town
of Kaunakakai or learn about the works
of Saint Damien at Kalaupapa National
Historical Park.
20 Convention & Incentive Marketing, Issue 7, 2016 www.cimmagazine.com