Business marketing contract up for bid
By Kelly Yamanouchi
Advertiser Staff Writer
Nine applicants have submitted proposals to develop a marketing program promoting the state's business identity to corporate and association executives.
The Hawai'i Tourism Authority sought the proposals on a six-month business branding contract worth about $400,000.
Bidding for the contract are Stealing Share; ADWorks; Latham/SRM; Milici Valenti Ng Pack; The Limtiaco Company; Economic Development Alliance of Hawai'i; Cintara; Ogilvy & Mather Hawai'i; and Bedrock Brand Consultants.
One of the problems the state faces in attracting meeting and convention travelers is its image as a vacation spot. Even if business event organizers decide to meet in Hawai'i, corporate or association executives or boards may veto the idea because they perceive that Hawai'i is a place for leisure rather than work.
The authority wants to find a way to communicate directly to executives that Hawai'i is a good place to do business.
The tourism authority finances operations and marketing of the Hawai'i Convention Center by Philadelphia-based SMG, as well as promotion of corporate meetings and incentives at hotels and other properties around the state by the Hawai'i Visitors and Convention Bureau.
The authority will manage the coordinated marketing program establishing a Hawai'i business brand with support from the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism, island economic development boards, the Hawai'i Visitors and Convention Bureau and its island chapters, SMG and others.
It is not yet clear whether other agencies will supplement the tourism authority's financing and how the results will be measured.
Some in the tourism industry want island economic development boards rather than the tourism authority to directly finance the initiative and take the lead in the project.
"We shouldn't be driving the bus," said Keith Vieira, a tourism authority board member.
But some of the economic development boards say they may not have money available for the project.
"It's possible, although our budget is tight," said Rick West, vice president of the Hawai'i Island Economic Development Board.
The island economic development boards would be directly involved in the project if the selected contractor is the Economic Development Alliance of Hawai'i, which is a coalition of the island economic development boards.
The tourism authority expects to select a contractor by Oct. 31.
Reach Kelly Yamanouchi at 535-2470, or at kyamanouchi@honoluluadvertiser.com.
