The Buzz
The Buzz
THEY have increased the number of days from one to two, improved the food, will highlight fashion do's and don'ts, and invited a speaker who claims to be able to teach people how to increase their income through hypnosis. Bigger, better
biz show promisedThey are Events International Inc. and Professional Results Inc., the two companies behind this year's Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii Small Business on the Move event yesterday and today at Blaisdell Center Exhibition Hall.
"This is just going to be over the top this year," said Sam Powell, director of communications and public relations for the chamber. "We wanted to inject new life into it, and take it to the next level. There's not a minute of the show where there's not a seminar going on."
Powell said sponsors such as American Savings Bank are providing some expertise for the seminars so the information might lean toward their own companies. However, "We've made sure there'll be straight up information in the seminars," he said. "The promo is reserved for the byline."
Professional Results President Ed Nishioka said four of his six staff members told him if they could only attend one of the free hourly seminars it would be the hypnotist.
"It sounds funky," Nishioka said, but he expected Chris Howard's seminar at 11:30 a.m. yesterday to be heavily attended.
Apart from fashion shows focusing on how to dress for business locally, nationally and internationally, Events International Vice President Rick Schneider said presentation specialist Pam Chambers and salon and day spa owner Paul Brown will conduct "Pam and Paul's Picks" in which they promise to evaluate how people dress for business. "It won't be ego-crushing like Mr. Blackwell (of 10 worst-dressed list fame)," Schneider said.
The food is presented by restaurateur Russell Siu's 3660 on the Rise, but the Blaisdell Center's usual fare is also available.
On the more serious side, Hawaii's business community will find seminars on subjects such as harassment and workplace violence, affordable technology, e-commerce, business banking, and using the Internet to recruit potential employees. Seminars begin at 11:30 today.
Erika Engle is a reporter with the Star-Bulletin.
Call 529-4757, 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