Posted on: Tuesday, August 26, 2003

Convention attendees get lots of attention

By Kelly Yamanouchi
Advertiser Staff Writer

Hawai'i is up against dozens of other cities and destinations in vying for the attention of association executives at their convention this week.

The annual meeting of the American Society of Association Executives at the Hawai'i Convention Center drew some 600 exhibitors, including competing destinations, hoteliers and suppliers, all of whom are out to woo convention delegates.

The association executives are key players in deciding where their annual meetings and other large conventions will be held every year, and catching their eyes and ears could be worth millions in visitor spending and tax revenue to destinations like Hawai'i.

"There's a lot of competition," said Robert Elsner, a former chairman of the American Society of Association Executives.

In the exhibit hall, the Hawai'i Visitors & Convention Bureau has one of the largest exhibits with a 50-foot-by-60-foot pavilion. Thirty-five Hawai'i companies are on display there, including airlines, attractions and destination management companies. The 4,090 convention delegates can also feast on an array of local food.

"We have to really demonstrate why Hawai'i would be of value to their annual meeting," said Mike Murray, director of sales for corporate meetings and incentives for the visitors bureau.

But Hawai'i was also host to hundreds of its rivals.

At the convention are "a number of other competitors making sure that they're visible and they're seen," said Joe Davis Hawai'i Convention Center general manager.

Los Angeles had television screens showing off the TV hit "American Idol." Palm Springs, Calif., a high-end resort local, touted expansion of its convention center. Disney touted a new exhibit hall at its Coronado Springs Resort in Florida. San Jose was marketing its role as a technology capital.

Many of the destinations, like Hawai'i, are hosting special dinners and events for key clients during the four-day convention that ends today.

Officials project Hawai'i will garner bookings over the next five years from 20 percent of the key decision makers at the meeting.

If that happens, the bookings could more than make up for the $1.4 million the state is spending on the event.

Yesterday, Hawai'i Tourism Authority Chairman Mike McCartney presented an outrigger canoe paddle to ASAE Chairman Red Cavaney as a client recognition award for acknowledging Hawai'i as a business destination and helping to organize the event.

Cavaney said Gov. Linda Lingle made a good impression with her appearance at the opening of the exhibit hall and hosting of a dinner for executives at the governor's mansion.

"That's a very powerful message ... that from top to bottom the state is prepared to make your meeting a success," Cavaney said at a press conference yesterday. "The response has been wonderful."

William Tony, publisher and group manager for publications of the Milwaukee, Wis.-based American Society for Quality, said part of the reason he came to the convention was to consider holding a meeting here.

His 100,000-member association of quality control specialists and statisticians draws about 1,200 people to its meetings.

"I don't think it's as expensive as people think it is," Tony said. "I've just been here two days, and it seems worth it."

For state officials, that's a sentiment that's music to their ears.