Convention center launches new meetings era.

Exotic, but affordable. That's what more and more association meeting planners are discovering about the Islands of Aloha. Long revered as an exotic paradise and one of the world's top vacation travel destinations, Hawaii is fast gaining a reputation as host to many associations' most successful conferences and trade shows.

Islands' beauty reflected in new center

Hawaii as crossroads of the Pacific has a global venue. It is from this position that new worldwide business is seriously and strategically considered and developed.

Earlier this year, Hawaii entered an exciting new era in hosting association meetings and trade shows with the opening of the spectacular new Hawaii Convention Center. The $350 million exposition facility, perhaps the nation's most beautiful convention center, is in Honolulu, the nation's most beautiful city.

The four-story, 1.1-million-square-foot facility has Been built on a 10-acre site beside the Ala Wai Canal, only a brief walk from Waikiki's famous hotels, restaurants, and beaches. The massive lobby showcases a 70-foot indoor waterfall and mature palms. Paintings of volcanoes, mountains, the ocean, waterfalls, taro (a native plant), and fish ponds are displayed alongside images of Hawaiian royalty, gods, and myths - giving visitors a powerful vision of the beauty, color, and mystique of the islands.

Outside, a grand stairway and concourse make a memorable main entrance, while rooftop canopies recall images of Polynesian sailing canoes.

The fourth floor of the facility offers a 36,000-square-foot ballroom, and a 2.5-acre rooftop garden features panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean and mountains in the background.

Two high-tech theaters (332 and 465 seats), fiber-optic cable wiring throughout, 802 parking spaces, and covered loading docks for 19 trucks are among the impressive specifications of the state-of-the-art center. The third floor offers 49 meeting rooms encompassing 107,426 square feet - perfect for most associations' educational sessions and other break-out activities.

The center's main exhibit facility is a 200,000-square-foot rectangular hall equipped for several configuration variations. It can be divided into three separate halls, each with direct drive access and a show manager's floor.

Island hotels offer world of choices

Any association executive will agree that excellent hotels are key to a successful meeting. Hawaii offers a stunning choice of hotels and resorts, featuring top names in the industry. More than 70,000 guest rooms are located on the six major islands - 30,000 of which are within a one-mile radius of the new convention center. From luxurious, world-class resorts nestled in spectacular natural locations to the elite of mega-hotels with more meeting space than many convention centers in the United States, the Islands offer meeting planners a world of choices.

Affordable and dependable air service

Association executives have found air service, including air freight, to be affordable and effective both to the islands and inter-island. The Honolulu International Airport on Oahu, the nation's [11.sup.th] largest, is served by an impressive 23 airlines, making efficient travel from throughout the world possible.

Travel from Honolulu to neighboring islands is made easy by the airport's new Inter-Island Terminal. Also, each island has its own airport offering excellent commuter service between the islands by several carriers including Aloha Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines. No inter-island flight is longer than 35 minutes, making pre- and post-conference trips a breeze.

Take your pick: natural adventures or big-city pursuits

Go anywhere in the Islands and association executives will find a spectacular range of great activities for pre- and post-conference trips. A unique masterpiece of natural diversity where 21 of the world's 22 climatic zones are represented, the Islands of Aloha offer everything from tropical rain forests and deserts to snow-capped summits and some of the world's most famous beaches. With two national parks, 67 state parks, and 100 county parks, the great outdoors beckon throughout Hawaii.

For more "big-city" pursuits, Hawaii offers a diverse social culture and some of the world's finest shopping and arts attractions. Nineteen museums, symphony, ballet, theater (including Asian theater performed in English), contribute to the art and culture of the Islands.

Discover how easy it is to make your next Hawaii event glorious.