The Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority (HTA) has unveiled a newly redesigned website for Meet Hawaiʻi, aiming to bolster its appeal to meetings, conventions, and business groups visiting the Hawaiian Islands. The updated site features a sleek design and includes comprehensive, up-to-date content, making it a user-friendly, all-inclusive resource for event planners.
“The meetings, conventions and incentives market is a critical part of sustaining our visitor industry and economy statewide,” said Mufi Hannemann, HTA board chair. “The Meet Hawaiʻi team is proactively engaging with meeting planners globally to ensure the pipeline of group business is strong over the next several years. This enhanced website will make it easier for planners to understand what the Hawaiian Islands have to offer for groups to have a successful meeting in our state.”
In 2023, Hawaiʻi secured 35 citywide group business bookings, contributing nearly $660 million to the state’s economy. This segment, encompassing meetings, conventions, and incentives, plays a crucial role in stabilizing the visitor industry through sustained commitments and future bookings, revitalizing key international markets.
HTA Interim President and CEO Daniel Nāho‘opi‘i said, “Higher-spending business groups and associations are eager to have productive, inspiring meetings and contribute to our communities through corporate social responsibility programs. Having the latest information easily accessible to meeting planners helps attendees give back in many ways, such as replanting our native forests, restoring fishponds, and purchasing Hawai‘i-made goods during their trip.”
In response to customer input, the website has been enhanced to feature an interactive map of the Hawaiian Islands, detailed planning resources for each island, and a directory of distinctive venues such as the renowned Hawaiʻi Convention Center. It also showcases voluntourism options, sustainability initiatives, and opportunities for Hawaiian cultural immersion and corporate social responsibility. With updated content reflecting current market trends, the redesigned site is tailored to meet the evolving demands of meeting planners.
“When planning a business meeting, incentive or convention, there is a lot to take into consideration including event space, lodging, transportation, catering, and so much more,” said Lynn Whitehead, vice president Global MCI sales and marketing of Meet Hawaiʻi. “We’ve rejuvenated our website with all the logistical information and assets a meeting planner needs to make the decision to choose the Hawaiian Islands easier than ever before.”
The website also provides detailed insights into the Hawaiʻi Convention Center and features Meet Hawaiʻi’s comprehensive Meeting Planners Guide. This guide offers directories and resources covering facilities, accommodations, dining options, team-building activities, and pre- and post-conference activities throughout the islands. Meet Hawaiʻi collaborates with HTA to enhance the Hawaiian Islands’ reputation as a premier destination for business meetings, conventions, and incentive programs worldwide, offering vital support to prospective clients globally.
