TheBuzz
TheBuzz
More creative than
a tie, more welcome
than fruitcakeThe Hawaii Society of Corporate Planners believes membership would be an excellent Christmas gift for the aspiring midcareer professional in your life.
Yes, the organization is engaged in a membership drive, said Diane Peters-Nguyen, HSCP board member and vice president of corporate and public affairs for The Limtiaco Co.
As do many groups, the society has monthly luncheons with keynote speakers, but Peters-Nguyen believes what sets HSCP apart is its "Boardroom Series" in which members-only get a free, behind-the-scenes view of businesses and organizations.
"I think the behind-the-scenes events are really the most interesting because we do get broad insight into a particular industry," she said.
"This type of small group meeting with access to the CEO or head honcho makes membership well worth it," she said.
She is, after all, a PR person.
Boardroom sessions have been hosted by University of Hawaii Athletic Director Herman Frazier; L&L Drive-Inn co-founder Eddie Flores; and David Pietsch Jr., president of Title Guaranty.
At a recent luncheon meeting, the group was wowed by Dr. Rolf-Peter Kudritzki, professor and director of the UH Institute of Astronomy.
He brought "an incredible Power Point presentation that made you really feel like you were getting to experience the technology they have," she said.
It was a glimmer of the university's role in the broader high-tech potential for the state.
"If you're like me, you look for a way to translate this into new business," said Peters-Nguyen. "Hawaii is transitioning to a new global economy, and with the political paradigm changing I think we're going to want to find out how Governor Lingle's vision is going to translate into a revitalized business sector for Hawaii," she said.
The new director of the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism will be invited to speak, once HSCP knows whose name to put on the invitation.
Prorated membership from January to June 2003 costs $65.
One needn't have "corporate planner" on their business card to join, Peters-Nguyen said. "To me, it's for people interested in moving their business or organization forward. That's what corporate planning is about."
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