west Sites, Cities, and Services Hawaii Convention Center Aloha Spirit prevails
Last year, Hawaii’s signature Aloha Spirit received widespread international attention as President Obama hosted 20 member econ- omies of the Asia-Pacific Economic Coopera- tion (APEC), and nearly 20,000 important business and governmental figures from the region, at the Hawaii Convention Center in Honolulu for the APEC 2011 Summit. The success of the gathering is a timely reminder that Hawaii provides an ideal setting for seri- ous meetings of all kinds. Thousands of high-profile visitors —
including key policy makers, economists, and heads of state — traveled from around the Pacific Rim, representing countries such as the United States, Japan, China, South Korea, Australia, and Canada. Together, APEC member economies make up 55 percent of global GDP, purchase 58 percent of U.S. goods exports, and comprise a market of 2.7 billion
consumers. With a geographic location of shared convenience between the U.S. main- land and Pacific Rim countries, Hawaii is an ideal place for an international meeting of political, cultural, and business significance. Hawaii has long been a melting pot of cul-
tures, values, languages, and cuisines. Now, it is also home to leaders in fields such as aqua- culture, astronomy, biotechnology, agribusi- ness, space exploration, oceanography, and genetic research — frequently breaking news on the science front. Hawaii is also the only place in the world where the Aloha Spirit pre- vails, making guests from around the globe feel welcome, whether they are conduct- ing business in award-winning facilities and accommodations, taking in the breathtaking scenery, or enjoying one of the state’s many leisure activities. Hawaii consistently receives top acco-
lades as a convention site, and the Hawaii Convention Center is among the highest- rated major convention centers in Metropoll add-on studies. The Hawaii Convention Cen- ter’s top priority is to help Hawaii’s guests achieve their business goals through tailored programs and versatile facilities. The SMG- managed center is well versed in the nuances of conducting business on an international level, as well as boosting global attendance at meetings. High-value strategies include the creation of custom-designed collateral and microsites in multiple languages, as well as outreach to travel partners to create tailored convention packages. The result is an effort- less information-sharing and application pro- cess for international constituents.
Outside in Attendees will never feel confined, or even indoors, in the Hawaii Convention Center’s one million-plus square feet of space with soaring glass walls and indoor palm trees.
Central convention The Hawaii Convention Center is centrally located between the U.S. mainland and Pacific Rim countries, making it ideal for international conferences, like the APEC 2011 Summit.