Executives, managers and hotel owners from major hotel chain Best Western International will gather at the Hawai'i Convention Center from Saturday through next Wednesday for their 2008 North American Convention.

This is the second time that Best Western International has held this event at the Center. The first was in October 2000.

This event is expected to draw 2,900 participants from around the world. Statewide spending is projected to be more than $13.6 million generating more than $1.3 million in statewide tax revenue. The Convention Center also projects a benefit to hotels with 23,000 rooms booked.

Best Western International Inc. is based in Phoenix. Best Western offers more than 315,000 guest rooms located in 80 countries and territories throughout North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa, the Middle East and the South Pacific.