Cayetano pitches Gov. Ben Cayetano, his wife and officials of the Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau are in Colorado this week, pitching Hawaii to the people who decide where their associations will hold their meetings and conventions.
Hawaii to execs
The state spent $1.4 million
for the sales trip to DenverAssociated Press
The American Society of Association Executives is meeting in Denver and about 5,500 society members are expected to attend its August 2003 meeting in Hawaii, a gathering that is in itself expected to bring more than $14 million into the state.
More importantly, however, is the hope that society members would book Hawaii for up to 30 additional conventions within the next two years, reflecting a potential of $240 million in spending in the islands, HVCB officials said.
Cayetano is leading the delegation of visitor industry representatives and entertainers to take part in a luncheon, trade show and dinner in an effort to boost attendance at the society's Hawaii meeting.
The effort is costing the state $1.4 million.
Sandra Moreno, HVCB's vice president for meetings, conventions and incentives, says participating at events where meeting planners can see Hawaii as a serious business destination is worth the expense.
The Hawaii Tourism Authority, which oversees the state's tourism promotion contract with HVCB, wants to increase visitor spending related to meetings, conventions and incentives from 15 percent of total visitor spending in 2000 to 30 percent by 2005.
The HVCB attracted to Hawaii Meeting Professionals International, which met at the Hawaii Convention Center in January, and The American Society of Travel Agents, which is scheduled to meet here in November.