HVCB AND HTA ILLUSTRATION
The Sept. 17-19 international conference has a
Hawaiian theme: "E Ho'oulu Pono Kakou I Ko
Mua," which the organizers say means "Shaping
the Future with Care Together."

State tourism
to be focus of
global event at
convention center

The September event will help
plot the future of the
state's leading industry

---

By Russ Lynch
rlynch@starbulletin.com

An international conference at the Hawaii Convention Center next month will take a close look at Hawaii's biggest industry, tourism, where it is headed and how best to steer it.

The Sept. 17-19 meeting, billed as the first in an annual series, will also explain and promote Hawaii's tourism to participants from around the world, say the organizers, the Hawaii Visitors & Convention Bureau and the Hawaii Tourism Authority.

"Hawaii is a key player in the business of world tourism," said Robert Fishman, the authority's chief executive officer. "The annual tourism conference will generate dialogue on how we can maintain and improve that position while balancing the need to keep Hawaii a special place for its residents."

The conference is advertised to include the HVCB's annual membership luncheon, featuring keynote speaker John Naisbitt, author of top-selling books including "Megatrends," "Global Paradox" and "Megatrends Asia."

"Hawaii continues to be affected by international events, the globalization of our economy, new technology and competition from other desti- nations," said Tony Vericella, president and CEO of the bureau.

He said the conference will address those issues and how to work with new programs, partners, technologies and strategies.

The conference will examine Hawaii as a destination and the experiences offered to visitors, as well as opportunities for global marketing, the challenge of international competition and issues such as air transportation, community involvement, product development and the education of travel agents.

The organizers say the conference will be of value to business and political leaders, travel sellers, business and tourism educators, travel industry managers and meeting planners.

There will also be an exhibition area called the Global Marketplace.

The first day will be devoted to "destination strategy sessions," and include panel discussions and presentations from international experts.

Day two will be devoted to the HVCB's marketing plans for 2002 in North America, Japan, developing international markets, and the meetings, conventions and incentive travel business.

The conference has a Hawaiian theme: "E Ho'oulu Pono Kakou I Ko Mua," which the organizers say means "Shaping the Future with Care Together."

The cost to attend the three-day session is $150 per person and covers meals, including the HVCB luncheon.

More information about the conference is available on the HVCB Web site at http://www.gohawaii.com/hatc/index.html.