June Matsumoto, Hawai'i Convention Center's director of international sales and marketing will visit Beijing and Shanghai, China. through Friday.

The purpose of the visit will be to promote the Center's international attendance building program to key Chinese travel agencies who have the connections to potential delegates that may attend a convention in Hawai'i.

"Since many of our conventions are medical, dental or tech oriented, these agencies book travel for doctors, hospitals and university staff," Matsumoto explained. "These agencies may also have corporate clients who are interested in exhibiting at a U.S. convention."

Convention center officials are meeting with the tourism and commerce departments at the United States Embassy. The focus is on bringing Chinese delegates to these upcoming conventions:

i Society of Critical Care Medicine (SCCM) — February 2008

i Pediatric Academic Societies (PAS)/Asian Pediatric Research Society (ASPR) – May 2008

i World Brewing Congress — October 2008

Convention center officials are then off to Thailand to attend the 46th Annual International Congress and Convention Association Congress & Exhibition Incorporating the ICCA General Assembly in Pattaya, Thailand from Saturday through Wednesday.

This will be the first time that the Hawai'i Convention Center will be represented at this international event. The trip is designed to introduce the convention center's global outreach program for organizations that want to draw international participants and exhibitors.

"When it comes to cultural sensitivity with international markets, there is no better program than that of the Hawai'i Convention Center," said Joe Davis, SMG general manager of the Center. "Our marketing team works closely with associations to reach across the Pacific and bridge communication gaps, build membership interest, and to deliver a memorable event for all."

Hawai'i is a host society where the aloha spirit prevails and guests feel welcome. Davis said organizers realize they can host a meeting international in character and content, gain increased productivity, and an enriching experience for both associations and their delegates.

For example, the number of papers submitted from participants from Asian countries at the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers' 2007 International Microwave Symposium were "neck-and-neck" with the number of papers submitted from the United States (30 percent), with the balance coming from Europe, Canada, and other Western countries.

Compared to the past two years when the symposium was held in California, the Hawai'i meeting realized a 50 percent increase in exhibitors from Asia, including those from China, Korea, Japan, and Taiwan.