State hopes for bookings from meeting planners

By Lynda Arakawa
Advertiser Staff Writer

The Hawai'i Convention Center and tourism officials are hoping the arrival of more than 2,500 meeting planners this weekend will lead to more bookings at the center and raise the profile of Hawai'i as a business destination.

The Professional Convention Management Association is holding its 49th annual meeting at the convention center Sunday through Wednesday, an event that center officials are spending $1 million to host.

Officials estimate the event itself will raise $8.9 million in visitor spending and $741,000 in projected state tax revenue. The events several years from now that officials are working to book with various PCMA members are expected to generate a total of about $209 million in visitor spending and $17 million in taxes, said sales and marketing director Randy Tanaka.

Convention officials are offering delegates promotions, such as offers for free rent for events booked through 2010. About 15 events are in final negotiations, Tanaka said.

He said the PCMA is particularly valuable because the organization is largely made up of medical associations, whose members tend to spend more during conventions. Among the associations expected to be represented are the American Medical Association, the American Academy of Neurology and the International Association of Dental Research, Tanaka said.

Delegates will be invited to activities at 'Iolani Palace and Fort DeRussy. Hotels and other companies also will have entertainment events.

Also timed to the PCMA meeting is a 90-second commercial on all United Airlines flights through January. The commercial features testimony from a convention center client and showcases Hawai'i as a business destination that offers more than sun, sand and surf, Tanaka said.

Reach Lynda Arakawa at larakawa@honoluluadvertiser.com or at 535-2470.