“Hawai‘i was successful in conveying a unique sense of welcome, and was successful in conveying a sense of respect for the environment.”
– Kurt Tong, U.S. Ambassador for APEC.
amid a backdrop of efficient service and hospitality. “I received zero complaints but, seriously, a lot of
compliments,” he told the Star-Advertiser. “Zero com- plaints is unusual. Te compliments were for transpor- tation, the hotels, the meeting sites, and the agenda. People especially liked the convention center. Several delegations said, ‘We should do more meetings in Hawai‘i.’” Tong continued, saying: “When people are relaxed, they think more clearly, and when they think more clearly, they’re more likely to come to conclusions that result in agreements. ... It’s really important that Hawai‘i was able to convey a sense of being an effec- tive place to do business — they did that. Hawai‘i was successful in conveying a unique sense of welcome, and was successful in conveying a sense of respect for the environment.”
MAGNET FOR THE SCIENCES Hawai‘i has long been a melting pot of cultures,
values, languages, and cuisines. Today, Hawai‘i frequently breaks news on the science front, as it is home to numerous leading organizations and com- panies in such fields as aquaculture, astronomy, biotechnology, agribusiness, space exploration, oceanography, and genetic research. During APEC, Hawai‘i’s business and community
leaders showcased this destination’s advance- ments in four primary areas:
Renewable energy — In 2008, the State launched the Hawai‘i Clean Energy Initiative to provide a framework for reducing the state’s dependence on imported fossil fuels, making Hawai‘i a leader in innovation opportunities in the clean energy industry.
Life and health sciences — Hawai‘i is a living laboratory for the overlapping needs of science and business, attracting leading scientists and
HAWAI‘I
researchers from around the world. Te state-of- the-art University of Hawai‘i John A. Burns School of Medicine in Honolulu’s Kaka‘ako district anchors a waterfront business park and serves as a corner- stone of biotechnology research in Hawai‘i.
Ocean, earth, and sky sciences — From its sandy beaches to snow-capped mountains, Hawai‘i has 11 of the 13 global climatic zones. It is the ideal place for companies in planetary and space sciences to develop innovations.
Meetings, incentives, conventions, and exhibi- tions — Hawai‘i is a global gathering place with a long and successful history of welcoming people from around the world.
Tinking about expanding beyond U.S. shores? Te
Hawai‘i Convention Center has an innovative approach. Its Business Ambassadors and Global Outreach pro- grams can provide top-level partnerships with influen- tial local constituents and their respective national, regional, and international affiliates. Trough these programs, the center delivers another layer of support, essentially becoming an extension of your marketing team.
“Te Hawai‘i Convention Center taught us how to
do international outreach, both culturally and from the point of view of an organization hoping to build atten- dance,” said American Academy of Neurology Executive Director and CEO Catherine M. Rydell, CAE. “We worked for three years with the center on our international outreach program and strategy, and will now integrate these highly successful efforts into a national campaign for future meetings.”