MEDIA RELEASE

The Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau (HVCB) is leading a statewide sales team to generate new business opportunities for the Hawaiian Islands at Meeting Professionals International’s (MPI) World Education Conference, July 24-27 at the Vancouver Convention Centre in Vancouver, British Columbia.

More than 2,500 meeting professionals from around the world are expected to attend the conference, of which 40 percent will be meeting planners.

“Hawaii’s presence at the MPI World Education Conference is important in showcasing our islands as an ideal place to conduct business and group meetings, as well as a leisure destination rich in beauty, culture and diversity,” said Mike McCartney, president and CEO of the Hawaii Tourism Authority. “We are excited for this upcoming opportunity that will generate invaluable worldwide exposure for our islands.”

Leading the HVCB sales team is Michael Murray, CMP, CMM, CASE, vice president of sales and marketing, and Adele Tasaka, senior director of accounts.

“We’re selling the value of the Hawaii meeting experience and the qualities that make coming to our islands for business so uniquely rewarding and worthwhile,” said Murray. “We’ll give attendees a sampling of Hawaii to whet their appetite and our partners will show some of the beautiful locations and enticing options available for hosting their events.”

He added that a goal of HVCB is to generate leads on near-term group business for Hawaii by promoting the cost-savings and incentive benefits being offered through 2011 via its Added Value Resource Center. Offered online at BusinessAloha.com, HVCB’s Added Value Resource Center offers seven programs to help make meetings and incentive events in Hawaii more affordable for groups.

Joining HVCB in selling meetings and incentives in Hawaii are sales executives from the Kauai Visitors Bureau, Oahu Visitors Bureau, Maui Visitors Bureau, Big Island Visitors Bureau, and Hawaii Convention Center, along with representatives from Current Affairs, Fairmont Resorts Hawaii, Grand Wailea Resort, Hawaii Meeting Builders, Hilton Hawaiian Village Beach Resort & Spa, Hilton Waikoloa Village, Hyatt Resorts Hawaii, Kathy Clarke Hawaii, Marriott Resorts Hawaii, Polynesian Cultural Center, The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Hawaii, and Turtle Bay Resort.

The Hawaii tradeshow exhibit will offer a sweeping display of the Hawaiian Islands’ sunny appeal, tropical beauty, colorful florals, cultural diversity, and Aloha Spirit hospitality, and feature an “Experience Hawaii” trip giveaway with six nights of hotel accommodations.

To further enhance business development opportunities, HVCB is hosting a client reception July 26 at Steamboat’s Uber Lounge featuring the musical talents of Hawaii’s own Taimane Gardner, and a Hawaii trip giveaway with airfare and hotel included.

Dallas-based MPI is the meeting industry’s largest association with more than 23,000 members in 71 chapters and clubs worldwide, including the MPI Aloha Chapter in Honolulu.

HVCB is contracted by the Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA), the state of Hawaii’s tourism agency, to provide marketing management services for the conventions, meetings and incentives market segment.