TheBuzz
TheBuzz
Macy’s trippin’
out on HawaiiCome May 31 Macy's will give away 19 Hawaii trips for 19 lucky couples from Arizona, California, Minnesota, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas, Guam and perhaps even Hawaii.
"Macy's and Hawaii -- The Perfect Marriage" is a year-long promotion which kicked off last month; the trip giveaways are billed as wedding, honeymoon and anniversary packages.
"Hawaii has long been a fantasy honeymoon destination for so many people, and with Macy's recent entry into the islands it made perfect sense to have the 50th state be the focal point of our annual bridal promotion," said Shonaree Michael, Macy's West special services marketing and promotions manager.
The promotion partners the retailer's bridal and gift registry with Starwood Hotels & Resorts Hawaii, Aloha Airlines, Budget Car & Truck Rentals and the Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau.
HVCB has been "helping out, providing resources and information and hookups with the right folks," said spokesman Russell Pang.
"Hawaii is a leading global wedding and honeymoon destination," said Tony Vericella, HVCB president and chief executive. "The Macy's bridal promotion and partnerships like it are strategic marketing tools that enable us to keep Hawaii top of mind among couples who are planning one of the most important events of their lives."
This is not the first time HVCB and the retailer have joined forces.
"Prior to Macy's entry into the Islands," Vericella said, "Macy's had successfully partnered with HVCB and its island chapters in a number of consumer promotions in the United States such as the Annual Macy's Flower Show in San Francisco."
This time Hawaii receives exposure through more than 100 Macy's West stores.
The contest is entered through the company's bridal and gift registry consultants. Hopeful travelers enter the contest and receive a special CD entitled "More Wishes."
The CD-ROM features music and pages of information about store merchandise and a "Discover Hawaii" page with a photo of Starwood's Princeville Hotel and information about the islands.
Broader exposure for Hawaii and the Macy's promotion is being achieved through newspaper and radio advertising, direct mail and online through www.MacysWeddingChannel.com.
The home page appears to have no mention of Hawaii but mid-way down the site offers links to Macy's East or Macy's West. Clicking on the latter promotes the chance to win the Hawaii "getaway" and lists bridal expos and other events scheduled for various stores, including Ala Moana.
Erika Engle is a reporter with the Star-Bulletin.
Call 529-4302, fax 529-4750 or write to Erika Engle,
Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., No. 7-210,
Honolulu, HI 96813. She can also be reached
at: eengle@starbulletin.com