The Hawai‘i Convention Center is pleased to offer its meetings space for use as a satellite unemployment insurance processing location for the State of Hawai‘i, as jobless claims have dramatically increased during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Nearly 1,000 volunteer positions will be staffed by public labor unions and members of the State Legislature to handle the processing of claims at the Center, in addition to ongoing claims processing at the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations. Computers were sourced from State offices across O‘ahu.
Several hundred work stations were set up during the week of April 20, 2020, in the Center’s Ballroom space, as well as seven other meeting rooms.
To ensure the health and safety of volunteers and staff, social distancing and personal protective equipment (PPE) guidelines are being followed, and Hawai‘i National Guard service members are conducting security and temperature checks.
The Hawai‘i Convention Center claims processing center is not open to the public.
For more information, visit the State of Hawai‘i Unemployment Insurance website at labor.hawaii.gov/ui/.
The 2019 SACNAS – The National Diversity in STEM Conference is the largest multidisciplinary and multicultural STEM diversity event in the United States. SACNAS (Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics & Native Americans in Science) is an inclusive organization that for more than 46 years has fostered the success of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans – from college students to professionals – in attaining advanced degrees, careers, and positions of leadership in STEM. Their Hawaii meeting was the largest in their history, welcoming over 5,000 attendees for their three day conference.
The Hawai‘i Convention Center will offer guests more reasons to celebrate the holiday season with a new festival and ice skating rink. The Center’s 56,000 sq. ft. exhibit hall space will be transformed into a month-long “Winter Wishes – A Holiday Festival” from Nov. 29-Dec. 24, 2019, and will offer a full lineup of activities for the entire family, including:
• Opening celebration with tree-lighting ceremony and special guest Kristi Yamaguchi • An expansive 82’ x 50’ indoor ice-skating rink featuring themed events for up to 164 skaters • Winter Wishes Marketplace • Photos with Santa (take your own/professional portraits) • Winter Wishes Christmas Tree Forest with a decorating contest • Gingerbread House Competition • Musical Entertainment • Holiday craft workshops • Keiki activities and attractions • Festive holiday cuisine and beverages • Special ticketed events
“This signature holiday event offers visitors and kama‘aina from throughout Hawai‘i a fresh array of holiday experiences during this special season,” said Teri Orton, general manager, Hawai‘i Convention Center, managed by AEG Facilities. “We are particularly excited to partner with world-renowned figure skater Kristi Yamaguchi to benefit her Always Dream Foundation, which supports early childhood literacy and learning tools for low-income children and their families.”
A portion of the proceeds from “Winter Wishes – A Holiday Festival” will benefit the foundation’s work in Hawaii. The presenting sponsor of the event is Matson, Inc.
“Winter Wishes – A Holiday Festival” will be open from 4-9 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays, 4-10 p.m. Fridays, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturdays and 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Sundays from Nov. 29-Dec. 24, 2019 (hours subject to change). Parking is available for $10 per vehicle at the Hawai‘i Convention Center. Tickets may be purchased online at honoluluboxoffice.com or at the door. Passes for the entire season will also be available for purchase. Children ages 2 and under are free, and special discount days will be offered.
For more information about the event or for sponsorship and vendor opportunities, click HERE or contact Michellee Phelps, communications and special events manager, at mphelps@hccasm.com.
Things are heating up this summer month of June as we welcomed two major sporting events along with an educational conference plus a Music and Fashion Festival.
Among this month’s notable events was the Aloha Region Summer Volleyball Classic 2019 held last June 14-16, 2019 This tournament welcomed student volleyball teams aged 12 – 18 in our Kamehameha Exhibit Hall 1. Soon after was the Pacific Rim Championships from June 21 – 24, 2019. This basketball tournament, hosted by AAU’s Jam on It, utilized all of our 3 Exhibit Halls.
Wrapping up June’s highlights is the first ever Hawaii Veteran’s Summit. Held over a two-day period, veterans, veterans’ organizations, and supportive services from all sectors were able to educate and network with veterans and their loved ones. Representatives from several service providers interacted with veterans to learn more about the needs of the veteran community.
For more highlights and to find out more about our upcoming events, check out our photos below!
Our our Kamehameha Exhibit Hall 2 was all set up and ready for the first Hawaii Hotel & Restaurant Show last May 29 – 30, 2019! Last month’s Hawaii Hotel & Restaurant Show showcased the very best of the hospitality industry in Hawaii. Featuring over 160 vendors and educational seminars showcasing industry innovations. Aloha Region Summer Volleyball Classic 2019 in our Kamehameha Exhibit Hall 1 welcomed an estimated 1,500 attendees over a three day periodOver 1,000 attendees including athletes, their coaches, family and friends attended the Pacific Rim Championships basketball tournament held in our Kamehameha Exhibit Halls last June 21 – 23, 2019. Featuring 17 basketball courts, all under 1 roof! Hawaii Convention Center GM, Teri Orton (right) and former Miss Universe Brook Lee (left) take a ride around our building during the filming of an episode of Brook’s new TV show, Modern Wahine. We can’t wait for the episode to air in August! Wine and dine on the Hawaii Convention Center rooftop on October 25, 2019, pairing premium red wine vintages with delicious dishes by some of the greatest chefs on earth. At Hawaii Food and Wine Festival’s annual wine-centric event, wine professionals from around the world will share insider wine knowledge and keep your glass filled! There’s something for every palate including white varietals, cocktails and beer options.
Concerts, graduations, sporting events, a Radiology convention and a Dance and Cheer competition. These are just some of the events that we’ve welcomed during this busy month of May.
“May Day is Lei Day in Hawaii Nei.” This statement brings to mind the annual celebration of Lei Day during the first day of May. Adding to the festivities was the annual May Day 2019 Concert was held in our Kamehameha Exhibit Hall last May 1st to celebrate Lei Day. A star-studded lineup featured Robert Cazimero and Halau Na Kamalei o Lililehua, the vocal artistry of Kaumaka‘iwa Kanaka‘ole, the celebrated reunion of Na Palapalai and more. Concert attendees were also treated to exclusive access to a May Day marketplace, featuring local vendors and artisans.
From May Day, we quickly transitioned to welcome the American Roentgen Ray Society (ARRS) for their 2019 Annual Meeting. Among the world’s premier conferences for radiology professionals, the ARRS Annual Meeting drew nearly 2,500 participants from 32 countries, generating an estimated $9.4 million in statewide visitor spending. In total, more than 3,000 will participate in the meeting, including virtual registrants from around the globe. ARRS, founded in 1900, is the first and oldest radiology society in the United States. It was an honor to welcome them to Hawaii for the first time and look foward to having them back again soon.
Check out some of our photos below for highlights of some of our notable group and to find out more on upcoming events in the coming months.
Aloha ARRS! This was the first time the American Roentgen Ray Society hosted their Annual Meeting in Hawaii ARRS presented our team with a very cool 3D Printed Pineapple at the conclusion of their Annual Meeting, the first to be held in Hawaii. To celebrate Lei Day, the annual May Day 2019 Concert was held in our Kamehameha Exhibit Hall last May 1st and showcased a star-studded concert and a May Day marketplace. Lovely orchid leis being given out during the May Day 2019 Concert. Global Games is a dance and cheer event featuring international teams from around the globe in competition with domestic U.S. clubs including local Hawaii teams. Teams and clubs participating come from New Zealand; Australia; China; mainland US and Hawaii. The Hawaii Convention Center’s Sunset Mele and Night Market is back on May 31st! This free community event showcases live entertainment, family-friendly movie, pop-up marketplace, local eats and drinks. This month’s featured move is Aquaman.
The month of April welcomed an eclectic mix of events that highlighted diverse cultural, social and educational fields.
Kicking off the month was the return of one of Hawaii’s most popular local anime comic conventions, Kawaii Kon, which welcomed close to 12,000 attendees and showcased a lot of unique costumes throughout their 3-day event from April 5 – 7.
Next up was the return of voyaging canoe Hokulea to the Hawaii Convention Center last April 19 – 20. Sailing aboard the canoe included crew members and students representing the young generation of “navigators” who are working on solutions to create a sustainable future. Hokulea crew members also welcomed visitors on board to tour the legendary canoe and learn about the Polynesian Voyaging Society’s mission to perpetuate the ancient art and science of voyaging and promote the values of caring for Island Earth. The event culminated with a gala dinner on April 20th in our Kalakaua Ballroom.
Another notable event this month was the Applied Materials meeting. This corporate meeting welcomed back close to 1,300 attendees for a private training event for their Sales team. Applied Materials provides innovative equipment, services and software to enable the manufacture of advanced semiconductor, flat panel display and solar photovoltaic products helping to make smartphones, flat screen TVs and solar panels more affordable and accessible to consumers and businesses.
Check out some of our photos below for highlights of some of our notable group and to find out more on upcoming events next month.
Last month’s First Hawaiian International Auto Show featured over 350 new cars, trucks and SUVs inside our Kamehameha Exhibit Halls. Each year, Kawaii Kon attendees show up with even more creative costumesIt was an honor to welcome back the Hokulea voyaging canoe to the Hawaii Convention Center Hokulea crew members also welcomed the public on board to tour the legendary canoe. Some of our culinary creations this month We always like to end a meeting on a sweet note. Guests at the Art Hawaii reception enjoyed this yummy Haupia (Coconut) Mousse with fresh fruit and lilikoi pearls created by our Food and Beverage team. The Hawaii Convention Center recently hosted a welcome reception for industry partners to meet the organizers of the upcoming Art Hawaii International. Pictured above from left, Peter Shaindlin, Chief Operating Officer of Hotels & Resorts of Halekulani; Teri Orton, General Manager of HCC; Margarite Almeida, co-founder of Art Hawaii, James Cavello co-founder of Art Hawaii and Hawaii State Representative Richard Onishi. For the first time at the tropical crossroads of the Pacific, a new art fair economy is coming to Honolulu on Nov. 7 – 10, 2019. Art Hawaii International combines the best of contemporary and modern art with cutting edge technology in one of the most extraordinary destinations in the world. This new art fair concept, similar to Art Basel in Miami, can attract a large volume of quality visitors, bringing revenue to the art trade as well as providing an important economic benefit to the cities who host them. For more information, visit https://www.arthawaiifair.com/
As we welcome the first few days of Spring, the month of March has brought in a number of popular community and sporting events as well as a few new meetings.
We began with the 25th Annual Honolulu Festival last March 8 – 10. The Honolulu Festival is Hawaii’s premier cultural event, promoting mutual understanding, economic cooperation and ethnic harmony between the people of Hawaii and the Pacific Rim region. During this 3-day festival, they showcased cultural exhibitions which are free and open to the public. They also featured a Bon Dance, Japanese film festival and dance workshops, along with a fair featuring more than 100 food and craft vendors and kids games and activities. This year’s festival also showcased a special Kabuki performance on March 8th during the Friendship Gala.
Next up, we welcomed the Society of Gynecologic Oncology’s 50th Annual Meeting on Women’s Cancer from March 16-19. This conference is the premier educational and scientific event for women’s healthcare professionals, including members of the entire gynecologic cancer care team who provide treatment and care in the areas of chemotherapy, radiation therapy, surgery, and palliative care. This meeting drew registrants from more than 40 countries and close to 2,400 attendees. We are honored that SGO chose to hold their 50th meeting here in the 50th State!
Lastly, another showcase event this month is the annual First Hawaiian International Auto Show which will feature over 350 new cars, trucks and SUVs inside our Kamehameha Exhibit Halls. We are looking forward to closing the month on a high with such great events.
Check out some of our photos below for highlights of some of our notable group and to find out more on upcoming events next month.
The 25th Annual Honolulu Festival showcased cultural performances from various cultures in the Pacific Rim. Getting ready for the Bon Dance at our Lobby during the 25th Annual Honolulu Festival. Welcome SGO 2019! From left, HCC General Manager, Teri Orton presents a special welcome canoe paddle to SGO’s Chief Meetings & Education Officer, Teri Jordan (center) along with HCC’s Event Manager, Kealoha Chang (right). SGO’s 50th Annual Meeting on Women’s Cancer was held from March 16-19 and welcomed close to 2,400 attendees from over 40 countries.
We are excited to welcome our new Executive Chef, Hans Lentz to the Hawaii Convention Center Ohana! Lentz has nearly three decades of experience in culinary management, working at internationally renowned resorts and convention centers in Hawai‘i, Dubai, Oman, Africa, the U.S. mainland and Puerto Rico. In his new role, he will oversee the Center’s 20,000-square-foot on-site kitchen and develop menus for gatherings and events at the building. View news release HERE.
HCC’s Vice President for Sales, Lee Conching, presented to industry partners during the March HTA Spring Update Update. We are looking forward to the annual First Hawaiian International Auto Show this March 29 – 31st!
As the days get shorter and the weather grows cooler, we are warming up for a strong finish this 2018.
Our inaugural Pacific Rim Futsal Cup (indoor soccer) recently held from November 29 – Dec 2 was a success! Our Exhibit Hall 1 featured 5 courts and welcomed nearly 50 futsal teams from across the globe. US Futsal signed a multi-year agreement with HCC and we look forward to growing the event’s international participation and recognition over the next four years. Check out our photos and videos below.
Immediately after Futsal is the annual Honolulu Marathon Expo, welcoming an estimated 60,000 attendees to our Exhibit Halls to pick up their packets and check out the Expo from December 6 – 10, 2018.
We end the year strong with one final sporting event, the Hoops in Hawaii Hawaii Classic basketball tournament. The Classic features top 25 NCAA DII Men’s Basketball teams from across the US. All the action will go down on December 16th-18th in our Kamehameha Exhibit Hall 3.
Lastly, we would like to thank all of our industry partners, Global Marketing team and all our clients for their continued partnership and support! We look forward to welcoming more conferences and sporting events next year!
Check out some of our photos below for highlights of some of our notable group and to find out more on upcoming events.
From our Ohana to yours, Mele Kalikimaka! Click on the Image to view our Holiday e-card.
Our new Futsal courts in Exhibit Hall 1
Futsal team in action at the Pacific Rim Futsal Cup.
Welcome Honolulu Marathon attendees!
College Tournaments Hawaii presents the 2018 Hoops in Hawaii Classic. Featuring top 25 NCAA DII Men’s Basketball teams from across the US. All the action will go down on December 16th-18th in our Kamehameha Exhibit Hall 3. For more information, visit https://scoringlive.com/hoopsinhawaii/
As we enter the Thanksgiving and holiday season, we pause to reflect about all the things that we are thankful for. We are most grateful to all of our clients and guests for their continued partnership and look forward to an even fruitful 2019!
In November, we welcome a number of new meetings and sporting tournaments including the 2018 Asia Pacific Signal and Information Processing Association Annual Summit and Conference (APSIPA) last November 12 – 15. APSIPA aims to promote research and education in signal processing, information technology, and communications. An estimated 300 international and North American attendees gathered at HCC for this annual conference.
We are also looking forward to our inaugural Futsal (indoor soccer) tournament which will be held from November 29 – Dec 2 in our Exhibit Hall 1 drawing nearly 50 futsal teams. Similar to soccer, Futsal is played with teams of 10-12 participants on indoor basketball-size courts with a low-bounce ball. The international tournament is open to youth ages 10-19 as well as men’s and women’s teams. The public is welcome to attend and watch these exciting games. We’ll be sure to share some photos from the Futsal tournament in our next newsletter.
Check out some of our photos below for highlights of some of our notable group and to find out more on upcoming events next month.
We did it again! For the second consecutive year, the Hawaii Convention Center is a Stella Awards Winner for Best Convention Center in the Far West Region! The Stella Awards recognize hotels, convention centers, conference centers, airlines, cruise lines, DMO/CVBs, and DMCs that consistently deliver quality service and innovation to meeting and events professionals.
What a Winederful event! We had a lot of fun last month as the Hawaii Food and Wine Festival (HFWF) held their annual Hawaiian Airlines Presents Winederland event at our Rooftop!
Makaweli Beef and Bone Marrow Won Ton was on the menu at the Hawaii Convention Center booth during HFWF!
Sawasdee, Thailand! The HCC and Meet Hawaii team attended this year’s 2018 ICESAP PCMA Annual Conference in Bangkok. Our team, including Vice President of Sales, Lee Conching, seen here showcasing Hawaii and HCC!
The 2018 Pacific Rim Futsal Cup is coming to the Hawai‘i Convention Center November 29-December 2, 2018. Similar to soccer, Futsal is played with teams of 10-12 participants on indoor courts with a low-bounce ball. The international tournament is open to youth ages 10-19 as well as men’s and women’s teams. The public is welcome to attend and watch these exciting games. For more information, visit http://pacificrimfutsalcup.com/
College Tournaments Hawaii presents the 2018 Hoops in Hawaii Classic. Featuring top 25 NCAA DII Men’s Basketball teams from across the US. All the action will go down on December 16th-18th in our Kamehameha Exhibit Hall 3. For more information, visit https://scoringlive.com/hoopsinhawaii/
