StarBulletin.com

Convention center wins award 2 years running


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POSTED: Friday, December 11, 2009

The Hawai'i Convention Center is 2-for-2.

In only the second year of Business Traveler Magazine's 2010 Best in Business Travel award in the category of Best Conference or Convention Center: City, the Hawai'i Convention Center has won—again—as it did last year.

The win “;was based on a survey of business travelers,”; said Joe Davis, general manager of the center, managed and marketed by SMG for the Hawaii Tourism Authority.

The magazine's 10 editions reach more than 500,000 readers worldwide.

It mailed surveys to 2,000 randomly selected print-edition subscribers and e-mailed surveys to 2,000 digital subscribers. The survey asked open-ended questions with no nominees or suggested names or choices.

Business Traveler Magazine is “;the best publication of its kind anywhere,”; Davis said. Its 10 international editions mean “;the global exposure is really good for us, and I think the award is a testament to what we're doing right—not just the service delivery by our team, but the amount of productivity business travelers get when they decide to come.”;

Hawaii made a big splash on the business travel map recently when President Barack Obama chose the state to host the 2011 Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meetings.

Davis was unable to go to last night's gala in Los Angeles because of a schedule conflict involving an HTA meeting.

Hence, Teddi Anderson, president of The Limtiaco Co., which handles public relations for the center, went to accept the award on its behalf.

Whoever posts Business Traveler's tweets on Twitter.com, believed to be Editor-in-Chief Eva Leonard, posted about being en route to the festivities:

“;Using Gogo Wi-Fi aboard United's NY-LA p.s. service. On the way to Business Traveler's Best in Business Travel Awards at Sofitel LA. EL”;

The Twitter user named @businesstravelr then plugged the now-available issue containing all the winners:

“;Business Traveler's 2009 Best in Business Travel Awards winners in Dec/Jan issue + cover story on 'Up in the Air' starring George Clooney.”;

While one could potentially accuse the magazine of merely trying to boost circulation by putting George Clooney on its cover, his presence reflects his role as a business traveler who fires people for a living in the upcoming movie.

 

Who'll be working on the railroad?

Possible rail transit project opportunities for Hawaii contractors will be presented by the Bombardier Transit Team from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Monday at Sam Choy's Breakfast Lunch & Crab at 580 N. Nimitz Highway.

The team plans to submit a proposal for the Core Systems Design-Build-Operate-Maintain contract for Honolulu Rail Transit and will discuss opportunities for companies involved in engineering and design, communication and data systems, rigging, mechanical and electrical assembly and more.

Reservations are recommended and can be made to Wally Zimmermann at Bright Light Marketing Group at 275-3001 or via e-mail at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

Erika Engle is a reporter with the Star-Bulletin. Reach her by e-mail at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).