The International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine is bringing about 5,000 people to Honolulu for its convention this week and next.

The group, meeting at the Hawaii Convention Center from tomorrow through Thursday, said it expects to exceed its attendance forecast from 4,500 to 5,000. The convention is helping boost tourism at a time when some organizations are canceling meetings because of the economic downturn.

Officials estimate the meeting is at 90 percent of its budgeted revenue for the event and expect to be at a 100 percent at the time of the meeting.

"We are seeing a larger than normal turnout internationally and we think it's because of Hawai'i 's draw and because of its location in the world," said Roberta Kravitz, executive director of ISMRM. "Right now we are seeing that 54 percent of our attendees are from North America while 46 percent are from other countries."

This is an international, nonprofit, scientific association whose purpose is to promote communication, research, development, and applications in the field of magnetic resonance in medicine and biology and other related topics and to develop and provide channels and facilities for continuing education in the field. Its membership of more than 6,000 consists of clinicians, physicists, engineers, biochemists, and technologists.

The ISMRM also held a meeting in Hawai'i in 2002.