Hawai‘i Convention Center Introduces New Pickleball Courts, Inaugural Indoor Pickleball Game

Posted on September 12, 2024 by HCC Editorial Team

The Hawai‘i Convention Center is kicking off its newest sports courts program with its inaugural indoor pickleball games from Nov. 1-3, 2024.

The Aloha Pickleball Games & Festival, organized by Pop Up Pickleball, a division of the California-based sports event management firm Pickleball Management Group, will be hosting an amateur pickleball event for players of all ages and skill levels.

The Center has invested in 45 new pickleball courts, with 15 designated for use in the Aloha Pickleball Games & Festival.

“The Aloha Pickleball Games & Festival will feature a competitive tournament format with a fun-filled festival for the entire family,” said event organizer Scott Winters. “We have designed this inaugural event to be loaded with benefits for all players, including extra playtime and activities for the whole family. The Hawai‘i Convention Center has invested in new pickleball courts, emphasizing its goal of becoming a premier destination for pickleball enthusiasts worldwide. We are honored to host the first tournament to utilize these new courts.”

The tournament will follow official USA pickleball tournament Rules. Each player is guaranteed plenty of play time with a round robin format. The top four players from each division will advance to the finals playoff round to decide the top three places, which will earn unique tournament-themed awards.

Registration is open through Oct. 23, 2024, at https://pickleballbrackets.com?AlohaPickleballGamesFestival

Entry fees are $80 per person for the first event and $25 per person for the second event. Discounted fees are available for first-time beginners, junior divisions and military/veteran players. Spectators and family members have free entry to access to the Pop Up Pickleball Vendor Village and can participate in most non-tournament activities. Sponsorship and vendor opportunities are also available by contacting the organizers at https://pickleballmanagement.com/contact/

In addition, the event will include family activities, raffle prizes, and a demo court. Each participant receives a gift bag with tournament souvenirs, sponsor gifts and hospitality tickets.

“We are excited to expand the Hawai‘i Convention Center’s highly successful sports courts program this year to include pickleball – a sport that has grown 60 percent in the past 5 years,” said Teri Orton, General Manager of the Hawai‘i Convention Center. “Our new premium pickleball rollout mat courts play just like championship outdoor pickleball courts, and we look forward to hosting our first players during the Aloha Pickleball Games.”

In addition to pickleball, the Center offers 28 volleyball and badminton courts, 18 basketball courts and 11 futsal courts in its Level 1 Kamehameha Exhibit Halls, making it a versatile venue for sports tournaments of any size. Additional details on the Center’s sports courts program are available here.

About the Hawai‘i Convention Center
“Where Business and Aloha Meet,” the 1.1 million-square-foot Hawai‘i Convention Center provides a spacious, modern and flexible meeting space in the heart of Honolulu – all with an award-winning team and renowned aloha spirit. Conveniently located between East and West, the Center is a global leader for a diverse array of meetings and events, just steps from 30,000 hotel rooms in iconic Waikiki. The Center is a state-owned facility opened in 1998, and is managed by ASM Global. For more, visit HawaiiConvention.com.

About ASM Global

ASM Global is the world’s leading producer of entertainment experiences. It is the global leader in venue and event strategy and management – delivering locally tailored solutions and cutting-edge technologies to achieve maximum results for venue owners. The company’s elite venue network spans five continents, with a portfolio of more than 325 of the world’s most prestigious arenas, stadiums, convention and exhibition centers, and performing arts venues. For more, visit www.asmglobal.com.

About Pickleball Management Group

Pickleball Management Group is a Northern California based company, formed by a management team with decades of experience in health club operations, sporting goods sales, product development and event management including 3 on 3 basketball events held worldwide. The company offers complete turnkey consulting and management services for pickleball facility planning, development and operations, sport programming, equipment sourcing, court construction, pro shop management and much more. The company’s Pop Up Pickleball courts have been a popular hit at tournaments, exhibitions, trade shows, indoor and outdoor festivals and glow in the dark events. For more, visit www.pickleballmanagement.com.

Hawai‘i Convention Center Launches New E-Bars and Permanent Artwork Series

Posted on October 18, 2023 by HCC Editorial Team

Two new ground-floor e-bars feature artwork by JT Ojerio of Aloha de Mele and Lloyd Boards of Kaua‘i

The Hawai‘i Convention Center, managed by ASM Global, has transformed its ground-floor Kahakai Lobby and escalator area with the installation of two new e-bars and a permanent artwork collection featuring the work of artists from O‘ahu and Kaua‘i.

The e-bars feature seating with individual power and USB ports and counterspace for mobile devices. The Center worked with artists JT Ojerio of Aloha De Mele and Lloyd Boards to select artwork that would enhance the look and feel of the spaces. There are three stand-alone custom installations by Ojerio, including two lei renderings above one e-bar.

A hand-shaped koa surfboard by Lloyd Boards hangs above the second e-bar. Artwork by Ojerio – a painting of loulu palms – is featured as a backdrop for the board, providing continuity to the installations. Across from this e-bar is a 6-foot by 20-foot wall mural featuring Native Hawaiian model Penina Vaimaona wearing a lei po‘o by Cheka Diaz of Kahihae Floral.

“This artwork showcases the talents of our local artists to guests from around the world, while brightening these new workspaces with a fresh and modern feel. The Center strives to promote Hawai‘i’s culture to our guests through our wide selection of artwork,” said Teri Orton, General Manager of the Hawai‘i Convention Center. “The e-bars are part of our ongoing efforts to enhance shared spaces in the Center, providing easy access to value-added amenities for our guests.”

“I hope that guests at the Center find these pieces beautiful and welcoming and also reflective of what Hawai‘i is,” Ojerio said. “My artwork is often described as simplistic and bold, with just one subject – to me, that is Hawai‘i, simple and beautiful, but also bold and strong with its people and its culture.”

“We work with all local materials to make our boards, and we are grateful that the Hawai‘i Convention Center is taking the lead in showcasing products that are 100% made in Hawai‘i and supporting our local artists,” said Jeremy Lloyd, owner of Lloyd Boards. “It’s so important, and we are honored to be a part of it.”

The Hawai‘i Convention Center is home to a permanent art collection in partnership with the Hawai‘i State Foundation on Culture and the Arts and its Art in Public Places program. It also hosts rotating collections in displays throughout the building. Learn more here.

Earlier this year the Center completed the installation of two new Hawaiian cultural exhibits on its third floor – the Pūali‘ahu Feather Cape Exhibit available to the public for two years, and a new permanent display exploring The Healer Stones of Kapaemahu.

Hawai‘i Convention Center Unveils Two New Hawaiian Cultural Exhibits

Posted on February 20, 2023 by HCC Editorial Team

The public displays explore featherwork pieces by Rick San Nicolas and The Healer Stones of Kapaemahu

Honolulu, Feb. 16, 2023 – The Hawai‘i Convention Center unveiled two new Hawaiian cultural exhibits on its third floor today – an extensive Hawaiian featherwork installation available to the public for two years, and a new permanent display exploring The Healer Stones of Kapaemahu. Today’s event included a special blessing and luncheon.

The Pūali‘ahu Feather Cape Exhibit features several feather capes, a feathered helmet, and lei pāpale. All featherwork is handmade by master featherworker Rick San Nicolas using traditional Hawaiian techniques he has practiced over nearly 25 years. This includes a cape designed by Rick San Nicolas for Princess Ka’iulani made of peacock feathers, a replica of a feather cape worn by Prince Jonah Kūhiō Kalanianaʻole, and a replica of a cloak worn by Pi’ilani, an ancient high chief of the Kingdom of Maui. In addition, the display showcases ‘ahu kaua, or battle cloaks (worn over one shoulder and under the other), which are rarely seen in exhibit. All feathers used in the pieces were ethically sourced.

“The exhibit was carefully designed by Rick San Nicolas and Kauila Kawelu Barber to share the history and stories of our Native Hawaiian ancestors, as well as the craft of featherwork,” San Nicolas said. “Viewers will follow the stories of our past through today and learn about how the pieces were used to adorn Hawai‘i’s ali‘i (chief or chiefess).”

The exhibit is located on the mauka side of the Center’s third floor between Rooms 302 and 306. Learn more about San Nicolas at HawaiianFeathers.com. Since 2016 the Center has served as the permanent home of featherwork cloak and helmet replicas depicted to be worn by Hawai‘i high chief Kekūhaupi‘o. Made by San Nicolas, this display is located on the Center’s third floor in support of its One Million Trees initiative to reforest native and endemic trees in Hawai‘i in partnership with the nonprofit Hawaiian Legacy Reforestation Initiative (HLRI).

The Center is also displaying replicas of The Healer Stones of Kapaemahu outside Theater 320, following a recent installation at the Bishop Museum. The original stones, which are a public monument located on Kalakaua Avenue near the Duke Kahanamoku statue, honor four legendary māhū – individuals who embody both male and female spirit – who brought healing arts from Tahiti to Hawaii many centuries ago. After requesting the stones be moved from Kaimuki to Waikiki as a permanent reminder of the services they provided to the people, the healers imbued their powers into them and disappeared. The display is accompanied by historic photographs, large artistic painted representations of the healers, and an 8-minute, Academy Award-shortlisted animated film that tells their story through the eyes of a curious child. A map is available so guests can easily locate and visit the original stones in Waikiki.

“This exhibit shines a light on the deep history of these stones and furthers the Center’s sense of place by showcasing this important Waikiki landmark, which is just minutes away,” said Dean Hamer, a film director and curator of The Healer Stones of Kapaemahu exhibit.

“For nearly 25 years the Center has served our communities and visitors not only as a world-class meetings destination, but also as a place to learn about Hawai‘i’s rich culture and history through permanent and rotating art installations,” said Teri Orton, General Manager of the Hawai‘i Convention Center. “We are delighted to work with renowned artist Rick San Nicolas on one of the largest public displays of his featherwork, and to become the permanent home of the Healer Stones of Kapaemahu exhibit.”

Visuals of today’s blessing are available here and visuals of the installations are available here, courtesy Hawai‘i Convention Center.

Hawai‘i Convention Center Earns GBAC STAR™ Accreditation for Cleaning Protocols

Posted on August 10, 2021 by HCC Editorial Team

The Center meets “gold standard” requirements for cleaning, disinfection and infectious disease prevention

The Hawai‘i Convention Center is the first meetings venue in Hawaii to earn the Global Biorisk Advisory Council® (GBAC) STAR™ Facility Accreditation, after meeting rigorous standards for cleaning, disinfection and infectious disease prevention.

The GBAC STAR Accreditation Program is performance-based and designed to help facilities establish a comprehensive system of proper cleaning protocols, disinfection techniques and work practices to combat biohazards and infectious disease like the novel coronavirus. The Center joins a select group of meetings and events facilities that are accredited by GBAC, which is a division of ISSA, the world’s leading cleaning industry association. To achieve accreditation, the Center was required to demonstrate compliance with the program’s 20 core elements, which range from standard operating procedures and risk assessment strategies to personal protective equipment and emergency preparedness and response measures. There is an annual reaccreditation process.

“The Hawai‘i Convention Center is using industry-leading health and safety protocols to give our guests, staff and communities greater peace of mind,” said Teri Orton, general manager of the Hawai‘i Convention Center, managed by ASM Global. “The health and safety of our guests and employees are the Center’s top priority.”

The Center has developed and implemented health and safety measures led by ASM Global’s comprehensive VenueShield program. This includes:

• Enhanced cleaning and sanitation and the use of electrostatic sprayers;
• The installation of thermal cameras and touchless temperature checks;
• The use of personal protective equipment (PPE);
• Modified food and beverage operations, including fresh, individually packaged meals and snacks;
• Increased availability of hand-sanitizer dispensers;
• Contactless transactions, special signage and social-distancing guidelines.

“GBAC STAR accreditation empowers facility owners and managers to assure workers, customers and key stakeholders that they have proven systems in place to maintain clean and healthy environments,” said GBAC Executive Director Patricia Olinger.

Visit HawaiiConvention.com for updates and additional information about booking a meeting or event. The Center’s interactive virtual map offers a complete 3D tour of rooms and facilities.

Hawaii Convention Center Receives National Recognition with 4th Stella Award

Posted on November 17, 2020 by HCC Editorial Team

General Manager Teri Orton also receives statewide honors as Pacific Edge’s Hospitality Executive of the Year

The Hawai‘i Convention Center has received its fourth consecutive Stella Award from Northstar Meetings Group, for Best Convention Center in the Far West Region (silver). Nearly 7,000 votes were cast from around the world for the 553 destinations, hotels and service providers nominated in 17 categories in six regions in the United States and worldwide. There were a total of 255 total winners and finalists for 2020.

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. Finalists in each category were determined by industry professionals during an open voting period, while winners were selected by an expert panel of judges overseen by the editors of Northstar Meetings Group’s leading brands, Meetings & Conventions and Successful Meetings.

Winners were recognized for achieving overall excellence, superb food and beverage, professionalism of staff, technology innovations, and other critical aspects of the meetings and event experience.

“The Hawai‘i Convention Center has recently been working with state agencies to provide space for important services such as unemployment claims processing, COVID-19 contact tracing, and vote counting,” said Teri Orton, general manager of the Center, managed by ASM Global. “We have also conducted improvements, repairs and upgrades throughout the building. This has been an unprecedented year for the meetings industry, and we are pleased to be recognized for our efforts with the 2020 Stella Award.”

Projects include cooling tower replacement, new facility equipment, enhanced security measures, energy-efficient lighting, and trellis replacement. The Center has also developed and implemented industry-leading health and safety protocols, and continues to follow the guidance of public health officials.

All of the Stella finalists and winners represent excellence in the meetings and events industry as suppliers, and we’re thrilled to honor the best of the best – especially in a year when the industry has been impacted so significantly by the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Loren Edelstein, vice president and content director for Northstar Meetings Group.

In addition, on Nov. 12, 2020, Orton was named Hospitality Executive of the Year by Pacific Edge, a Hawai‘i business and lifestyle magazine, in its 10^th-annual Business Achievement Awards. Nominations were judged by an independent panel comprised of seven esteemed members of the business community, and winners were announced in 12 categories.

Honolulu was also included on meetings company Travmar’s November list of the “Top 25 Convention Cities For 2020,” judged by walkability, affordability, safety, exciting tourism options and city assets among 166 cities ranked nationwide.

Visit HawaiiConvention.com for the Center’s latest updates.

About the Hawai‘i Convention Center

“Where Business and Aloha Meet,” the 1.1 million-square-foot Hawai‘i Convention Center provides a spacious, modern and flexible meeting space in the heart of Honolulu – all with an award-winning team and renowned aloha spirit. Conveniently located between East and West, the Center is a global leader for a diverse array of meetings and events, just steps from 30,000 hotel rooms in iconic Waikiki. The Center is a state-owned facility opened in 1998, and is managed by ASM Global. For more, visit HawaiiConvention.com.

About ASM Global

ASM Global was formed from the merger of AEG Facilities and SMG in October 2019, creating a venue management powerhouse that spans five continents, 14 countries and more than 300 of the world’s most prestigious arenas, stadiums, convention and exhibit centers, and performing arts venues. To learn more about ASM Global and the exciting new ways we can serve you, visit ASMGlobal.com.

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MEDIA CONTACT
Teddi Anderson
President, TLC PR
(808) 535-9099
teddi@tlcpr.com

Hawaii Convention Center Recognizes National Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Posted on October 16, 2020 by HCC Editorial Team

The Hawai‘i Convention Center is recognizing National Breast Cancer Awareness Month this October with special lighting throughout the Lobby of the building from Oct. 16 – 31, 2020.

The pink LED lighting is designed to help raise awareness of the disease. It is estimated that more than 276,400 women and over 2,600 men will be diagnosed with new cases of invasive breast cancer in the U.S. this year.

“We are proud to recognize National Breast Cancer Awareness Month this October in honor of the many families who are touched each year by this disease,” said Teri Orton, general manager of the Hawai‘i Convention Center, managed by ASM Global. “It is critically important that patients receive the screening, access, treatment and support that they need.”

The Center has remained closed to the public since March following State of Hawai‘i COVID-19 pandemic restrictions. It is working with state agencies to provide space for important services such as unemployment claims processing, COVID-19 contact tracing, and vote counting. All public events previously scheduled during this time are either postponed or canceled.

The Center is also conducting improvements, repairs and upgrades throughout the building, allowing for the expedited completion of maintenance projects and the implementation of new safety protocols without disrupting meetings and events.

The health and safety of guests and employees are the Center’s top priority. The Center has developed safety guidelines and protocols in response to COVID-19, and continues to follow the guidance of public health officials.

Visit HawaiiConvention.com for updates.

Hawaii Convention Center Continues to Serve Community as Location for Hawaii Unemployment and Elections Services

Posted on June 16, 2020 by HCC Editorial Team

Honolulu, June 16, 2020 – While the Hawai‘i Convention Center remains closed to the public following State of Hawai‘i COVID-19 pandemic restrictions, it is working with state agencies to provide space for important services such as unemployment claims processing and vote counting.

Since April the Hawai‘i Convention Center has served as a temporary satellite location for the Hawai‘i Department of Labor and Industrial Relations to process unemployment insurance claims. While this location is not open to the public, volunteer personnel and staff are using socially distanced workstations to process a record number of unemployment claims. The Center has worked in coordination with the Hawai‘i Army National Guard to ensure volunteers and staff are wearing the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) and are having their temperatures and security credentials checked upon entry.

“Our ballroom and exhibit halls provide ample space to follow social distancing measures recommended by the CDC to ensure the health and safety of our guests and employees,” said Teri Orton, general manager of the Hawai‘i Convention Center, managed by ASM Global. “While all public events previously scheduled during this time are either postponed or cancelled, we are pleased to continue to serve Hawai‘i.”

From July through November the State of Hawai‘i’s Office of Elections will use a portion of the Center’s exhibit hall space as a temporary vote counting center, with more than 200 volunteers and staff expected to participate.

The Center is also conducting improvements, repairs and upgrades throughout the building, allowing for the expedited completion of maintenance projects and the implementation of new safety protocols without disrupting meetings and events.

The health and safety of guests and employees are the Center’s top priority. The Center has developed safety guidelines and protocols in response to COVID-19 and continues to follow the guidance of public health officials.

Updates will be posted to the Center’s schedule at HawaiiConvention.com.

About the Hawai‘i Convention Center

About ASM Global

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MEDIA CONTACT
Teddi Anderson
President, TLC PR
(808) 535-9099
teddi@tlcpr.com

Hawai‘i Convention Center General Manager Teri Orton Wins Meetings Award

Posted on March 7, 2019 by HCC Editorial Team

Smart Meetings magazine recognizes Orton as an Industry Leader in its March issue

Honolulu, March 7, 2019 – The Hawai‘i Convention Center is pleased to announce that Teri Orton, general manager, Hawai‘i Convention Center, managed by AEG Facilities, has received recognition for her leadership in the North American meetings industry.

Smart Meetings, a leading media company and trusted resource for meeting professionals, named Orton among 29 Industry Leaders in its fourth-annual Smart Women in Meetings Awards. This prestigious awards platform serves as a celebrated benchmark for women who are making significant impacts on the meetings industry in North America.

“Females make up the majority of the workforce in the meetings and events industry, and yet most critical leadership roles are filled by men. Through this awards platform, Smart Meetings recognizes women who apply their natural leadership skills in all levels of their careers to elevate the meetings industry,” Smart Meetings said in a statement.

The awards recognize the industry’s top female meeting professionals in seven categories: Hall of Fame, Visionaries, Industry Leaders, Innovators, Entrepreneurs, Stellar Performers and Rising Stars. Winners were distinguished by thousands of nominations from their industry peers and colleagues, and evaluated against hundreds of candidates.

“This award is a reflection of our entire team at the Hawai‘i Convention Center,” said Orton, who has two decades of hospitality experience and has served as general manager of the Center since 2014. “It is an honor to work with leading meetings and events organizers to create world-class gatherings in Hawai‘i.”

Smart Women in Meetings Award winners are featured in the March issue of Smart Meetings magazine and will receive on-stage honors at the Smart Women in Meetings Awards gala May 8, 2019, at the Smart Woman Summit in Las Vegas.

AEG Community Foundation Awards $40,000 in Charitable Grants in Hawai‘i

Posted on February 5, 2019 by HCC Editorial Team

The AEG Community Foundation, the newly formed charitable arm of AEG, which manages the Hawai‘i Convention Center, has awarded $40,000 in grants to two nonprofit organizations in Hawai‘i. The Foundation’s mission is to support children and families in need in the areas of K-12 education, the arts, and health and wellness in communities where AEG operates.

Left to Right (Jan. 23, 2019): Avery Fukeda, Sales Coordinator, Hawai‘i Convention Center; Teri Orton, General Manager, Hawai’i Convention Center; Arden Salassa, Corporate Relations Manager, Make-A-Wish Hawaii; James Donnelly, Hospitality and Development Manager, Make-A-Wish Hawaii.

Left to Right (Feb. 1, 2019): Auli‘i Hirayama, Development Director, Boys & Girls Club of Hawaii; Teri Orton, General Manager, Hawai’i Convention Center; Paddy Kauhane, Interim President & CEO, Boys & Girls Club of Hawaii.

Make-A-Wish Hawai‘i was awarded $25,000 to support its mission of granting life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses, and the Boys & Girls Club of Hawaii was awarded $15,000 to support sports and culinary arts programs for at-risk youth.

“We are pleased that two outstanding organizations in our community, Make-A-Wish Hawai’i and Boys & Girls Clubs of Hawai’i, were selected to receive grants from the AEG Community Foundation,” said Teri Orton, general manager of the Hawai‘i Convention Center. “In its more than 20 years of operation, the Hawai‘i Convention Center has participated in numerous efforts to support and enhance Hawai‘i’s communities, including efforts furthered by AEG’s longstanding AEG 1Community program, which established foundations and programs and contributed more than $120 million in direct financial and in-kind support of charitable, community and civic programs over the past decade.”