Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau: Hawaii's Aloha awaits 2003 ASAE convention. (Hospitality).

Members of the American Society of Association Executives are encouraged to start making plans to attend the 2003 ASAE annual meeting at the Hawaii Convention Center in Honolulu August 23-26,2003. Take advantage of the special pre- and post-event discount hotel offers to thoroughly enjoy the Islands of Aloha. The Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau and Hawaii's visitor industry are inviting ASAE members to experience the added value of Hawaii, combining one of the meeting industry's most important conventions with the rejuvenating experience of an extended stay in Hawaii.

Meeting planners agree that Hawaii stands among the world's elite convention destinations. Hawaii recently was ranked the second most desirable convention destination among 40 major convention sites in North America, by the meetings industry biennial survey Metropoll IX. The survey, which analyzed responses from 1,579 major meeting and convention decision makers, was the ninth in a series of comprehensive, independent, internationally recognized image and marketing studies.

With its strategic "Crossroads of the Pacific" location, midway between two-thirds of the world's buying market, and anchored by the five-star Hawaii Convention Center, Hawaii has emerged as a highly attractive, cost effective, and strategic global meetings and conventions destination.

Each of the six major islands--Kauai, Oahu, Molokai, Lanai, Maui, and Hawaii's Big Island--is unique, yet all share the incomparable natural beauty, comfortable year-round weather, and world-renowned "Aloha Spirit" of hospitality and service that make Hawaii such a favorite destination for business travelers. The islands also present an impressive array of pre- and post-meeting activities for attendees interested in experiencing the breathtaking beauty, unique activities, and exotic native culture, "Hawaii has it all when it comes to hosting association meetings," says Sandra Moreno, HVCB's vice president of meetings, conventions, and incentives. "Honolulu, as one of the nation's most vibrant international business centers, is ideal for meetings and conventions, particularly for organizations with a global focus, and all the islands offer an abundant selection of resorts for self-contained hotel meetings."

Since opening in June 1998, the award-winning Hawaii Convention Center has elevated the global standing of Hawaii's meetings infrastructure to among the world's best. Rising from Waikiki's edge, it is supported by more than 10,000 committable hotel rooms within a mile. The competitively priced, luxurious center features a 204,000-square-foot exhibit hall, 35,000square-foot ballroom adjoined by a 2.5 acre rooftop garden terrace, 49 meeting rooms totaling 107,000 square feet, plus two presentation theaters with tiered seating. The center is an approved foreign trade zone, allowing international clients to bypass airport customs and ship exhibit materials directly door-to-door.

Hawaii boasts some of the world's most luxurious and spectacular resort properties. Collectively, the islands offer more than 71,000 guest accommodations, ranging from economical to deluxe. Waikiki alone has more than 36,000 guest rooms. For single property meetings, the six islands present an outstanding variety of hotels and resorts with excellent meeting facilities, activities, and attractions.

Hawaii has excellent accessibility with abundant direct and nonstop air service, and two international airports, the Honolulu International Airport and the Big Island's Kona International Airport. Service is provided by 23 major airlines from gateway cities in the continental United State, and 16 international carriers from Canada, Asia, and the South Pacific. In 2002, more than 430,000 airline seats have been added by six major carriers, increasing air service to 10 percent above 2001 levels. Additionally, two Hawaii-based carriers, Hawaiian Airlines and Aloha Airlines, together provide more than 200 daily inter-island flights linking the state's island destinations.

As one of the nation's leading international business centers, linking Asia with the Americas, Hawaii is known for being a global leader in numerous business sectors. "But Hawaii's most appealing quality is the destination itself, with its unique multicultural experience, the warm Aloha Spirit of its people, the inspiring natural beauty, and exceptional year-round climate," Moreno says.

Despite the attrition in convention attendance occurring nationwide, many of the Hawaii conventions in 2002 have averaged a 15 percent attendance increase during the first quarter of 2002. "Attendees and exhibitors love to come here," Moreno adds. "Organizations are delighted with the results of selecting Hawaii because they typically experience attendance growth, greater participant satisfaction, and excellent exhibit sales."

Next August, ASAE members can experience for themselves all the unique attributes and the special experience of the Islands of Aloha. See you in 2003!