Hawai‘i convention center caps off 2010 with major global events

The Hawai‘i Convention Center closes 2010 with three major global events, rounding out a year of extensive and highly successful outreach efforts that drew participation from throughout the Pacific Rim.


More than 20,000 people from nearly 100 countries collectively participated in the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) 2010 Annual Meeting, the Pan Pacific VEX Robotics Tournament and the PACIFICHEM 2010 Congress.

“These conventions showcase the extensive interest in Hawai‘i from countries throughout the Pacific Rim,” said Joe Davis, SMG general manager of the Hawai‘i Convention Center. “The success of these large international events continues to prove that Hawai‘i is a place to do serious business across a wide selection of fields and industries.”

The increase in global registration this year was in part due to the Hawai‘i Convention Center’s attendance-building program, which develops international attendance for U.S.-based associations by capitalizing on Hawai‘i’s geographic position as the central meeting point between North America and Asia.

“The securing of three major international events at the Hawai‘i Convention Center is great news for Hawai‘i’s tourism economy as it continues to gain momentum,” said Mike McCartney, president and CEO of HTA. “In an effort to increase demand and boost visitor spending, the HTA and our marketing partners remain committed to aggressively market Hawai‘i as a global meetings destination and capitalize on the interest in our state as we prepare to host the 2011 APEC Leaders’ Meeting in November.”

The Hawai‘i Convention Center’s global momentum will continue throughout 2011. Hawai‘i is attracting worldwide attention as the host city for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) 2011 Leaders’ Meeting in November. The Hawai‘i Convention Center will also be home to the 70th Anniversary Association for Asian Studies (AAS) Annual Conference in March; the 63rd Annual American Academy of Neurology (AAN) 2011 Annual Meeting in April; the 27th Annual Pacific Rim International Conference on Disabilities in April; and the 164th Annual Meeting of the American Psychiatric Association (APA) in May.