Tourism conference to focus on trends Hawai'i will face
Advertiser Staff
Hawai'i's tourism industry is gearing up for what organizers are billing as the first annual international conference addressing the changes and challenges facing the state's biggest industry.
The three-day meeting Sept. 17 to 19 at the Hawai'i Convention Center is sponsored by the Hawai'i Visitors and Convention Bureau and the Hawai'i Tourism Authority and is expected to draw 700 to 800 participants.
"Hawai'i is a key player in the business of world tourism," said Bob Fishman, chief executive officer of the Hawai'i Tourism Authority. "The annual tourism conference will generate dialogue on how we can maintain and improve that position while balancing the need to keep Hawai'i a special place for its residents."
The theme of the conference is "E Ho'oulu Pono Kakou I Ko Mua" — or "Shaping the Future with Care Together" — and will feature speakers, sessions and events focusing on the status and future of Hawai'i tourism.
Sessions and speakers on the first day of the conference will focus on global travel trends and issues, including the future of air travel and best practices in community awareness and involvement.
The second day of the conference will focus on the visitors bureau's marketing strategy for 2002, and includes the bureau's annual membership luncheon. Keynote speaker at the luncheon will be Bruce Silverman, president and chief executive officer of Initiative Partners, a division of global communications firm Initiative Media Worldwide.
Silverman will discuss technological developments and changes in media that are changing the way marketers do business.
The third day of the conference will feature speakers and sessions on travel trade education and developments in travel technology.
Among the speakers scheduled for the conference is John Naisbitt, author of "Megatrends" and "Reinventing the Corporation."
"Hawai'i continues to be affected by international events, the globalization of our economy, new technology and competition from other destinations," said HVCB president and chief executive Tony Vericella. "The conference will address these challenges and identify opportunities to align and integrate programs, partners, technologies and strategies that will contribute to the success of Hawai'i tourism and its future."
More than 150 companies have signed up to exhibit in the "Global Marketplace," a business-to-business travel and tourism expo that will also be set up at the Convention Center during the event, Vericella said.
Registration for the three-day program is being accepted up to the conference date. Cost is $150, including meals and the annual membership luncheon.
Day rates and student rates are available. Registration information is available by calling 1-800-GOHAWAII, or at the Web site www.gohawaii.com
