UPCOMING

"Market Research: A Make or Break Edge for Your Business," a professional development and networking luncheon, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 14 at the Plaza Club, hosted by the local chapter of the International Association of Business Communicators. The speaker will be Jim Dannemiller, president of SMS Research Hawaii, a market research firm. Cost is $25 for IABC members, $35 for nonmembers, $15 for student members, and $20 for student nonmembers. Register by Monday at 585-793, ext. 205, or www.iabchawaii.com.

AMERICAN BUSINESS WOMEN'S ASSOCIATION, Na Kilohana O Wahine Chapter, general meeting May 14 at the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaii: no-host cocktails and networking 5:30 p.m., dinner and program 6 p.m.; Nicole Darity, interim director/programs manager of the USO, will discuss local programs; $23, parking $4. RSVP by May 9: 432-5391 (Linda Yamashiro).

REFERRAL SUCCESS 101 SEMINAR by Referral Institute of Hawaii, noon to 2 p.m. May 14 at Blaisdell Center, Maui Room; business professionals can learn to harness the power of word-of-mouth marketing for fast sales and sustainable business growth. Reservations/information: 263-3515 (Joann Seery).

PROFESSIONAL WOMEN'S NETWORK SPA DAY & LUNCHEON, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 17 at a private venue in Hawai'i Kai, featuring healthy catered buffet with vegetarian choices, spa services, classes, networking and relaxing; all welcome; members $40, nonmembers $50; space limited to first 50. Reservations: 533-4800 or reservations@pwnhawaii.org.

HAWAII GREEN BUILDING CONFERENCE, 7:30 to 4:30 p.m. May 20 and 21 at Hawai'i Convention Center; targeting Realtors, building and design professionals, engineers, developers, suppliers, government and nonprofit agencies; May 20: green affordable housing projects, products and resources, building and financing green communities, green multi-family housing, buying green; May 21: expo/exhibits on green communities, schools and institutions, as well as LEED contractors, recycling programs and green construction materials. Registration: 833-1681, ext. 24, or gladys@gcahawaii.org; Exhibitors: lau@buddhawelt.com or 841-3342; workshops/sessions: gsuzuki@dbedt.hawaii.gov or 587-3802.

HONOLULU JAPANESE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE will hold a seminar to help business owners and managers understand what industries are doing to attract capital to Hawai'i, 9 a.m.-noon May 21 at the Japanese Cultural Center. Speakers include Steve Bretschneider, chief marketing officer at the Department of Business and Economic Development and Tourism; Betty Brow, vice president and manager of international client banking at Bank of Hawaii; Mike Hamasu, director of consulting and research at Colliers Monroe & Friedlander; Randall Tanaka, assistant general manager of the Hawai'i Convention Center; Lisa Gibson, president of the Hawai'i Science Technology Council; Robert Robinson, executive director of the Pacific Asian Center for Entrepreneurship and E-Business; and Christopher Baker of Japan External Trade Operation. The fee is $20 for chamber members, their guests and members of partner associations, and $25 for nonmembers. Registration begins at 8:45 a.m. in the Manoa Grand Ballroom. Register at 949-5531 or www.honolulujapanesechamber.org.

GLOBAL, NATIONAL AND LOCAL ECONOMIC REALITIES, CLEAR PERSPECTIVE AND FORECAST, luncheon event May 22 at the Hawaii Prince Hotel, sponsored by the Hawaii Society of Corporate Planners and Hawaii Association of Realtors. Paul Brewbaker, senior vice president/chief economist at Bank of Hawaii, will share his analysis of economic and business trends. Sign-in/networking, 11:30 a.m.; lunch/program, noon. Members $29, guests/nonmembers $35, table of 10 for $300, add $5 for late registration. Register by May 16. Forms available at www.HSCP.org.

Business events of general interest are listed in the Coming Events column throughout the week. Submit notices at least two weeks in advance to: Alan Yonan, Business Section, The Honolulu Advertiser, P.O. Box 3110, Honolulu, HI 96802; fax to 525-6763; or e-mail comingevents@honoluluadvertiser.com. For e-mailed releases, please place the information in the body of the e-mail message, not in an attachment.