Successful Meetings - July 2009 - (Page H2)

hawaii A sophisticated meetings destination with prime event facilities and world-renowned hospitality, Hawaii offers an unmatched setting for powerful and productive corporate gatherings. Michael Murray, CMM, CMP, CASE, vice president of sales and marketing, corporate meetings and incentives for the Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau, discusses the state’s unwavering dedication to meetings business. Michael Murray Q Q: With corporate meetings facing greater scrutiny than ever, what makes Hawaii such a desirable meetings destination? A: We are living in a time when providing inspiration and incentive has never been more crucial to increased production and an improved bottom line. Hawaii is a place that inspires people. It always has and always will. People everywhere want to come here and if they can do it as part of their business—what a bonus! Participation in Hawaii meetings and incentive events typically exceeds expectations, meaning Hawaii can be relied upon to deliver on ROI. This is true even in tough economic times because the desire to be in Hawaii is just as strong, if not stronger than ever. Q: In a letter sent to his attention recently, Hawaii Gov. Linda Lingle, Lt. Gov. James R. “Duke” Aiona Jr., Hawaii’s four county mayors, and 90 other industry stakeholders explained to President Barack Obama the A importance of conventions, meetings, and incentive rewards to the Hawaiian economy and asked him to oppose any legislation that would unfairly penalize companies for holding legitimate business events there. How important is the meetings industry as a whole to Hawaii and what is the state’s overall direction as a meetings destination? A: The meetings industry generates 7 percent of Hawaii’s visitor arrivals, but it accounts for 12 percent of the state’s visitor expenditures, so it’s a key source of revenue for the businesses and workers who depend on tourism for their livelihood. Hawaii remains committed to growing its meetings business and attracting corporate groups and associations of all sizes. The Hawaii Convention Center, which celebrated its 10th anniversary last year, is one of the world’s most beautiful convention facilities and, in more recent times, resort properties statewide have invested huge amounts of money to upgrade their accommodations and meeting 2 SuccessfulMeetings/MeetingNews | July 2009

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Successful Meetings - July 2009

Successful Meetings - July 2009
Contents
Editor's Letter
News Update
Education
Mouth for Sale
Incentive Insights
Meetings Law
Management Matters
Gurus
Path to Success
Cover Story: ROI Guide
Medical & Pharmaceutical Meetings
Safety & Security
Industry Roundtable
Places + Spaces
Alabama
Georgia & the Carolinas
Hong Kong
Melbourne
Golf Meetings
Planning a golf meeting, 101
Formats, games, prizes, and the awards ceremony
The how, what, why, and win of hole-in-one insurance
How the PGA professional can help your meeting plans
A woman’s view of golf
Opinion: The (new) perception of golf resorts
In closing: Boondoggle is not part of the golf vocabulary
Hawaii
Business Unusual
Q&A with Michael Murray
The Latest and Greatest

Successful Meetings - July 2009