It is the second year Meet Hawaii has chosen to directly host local PCOs and event planners, rather than participate in large trade events such as the Asia Pacific Incentives and Meetings Event (AIME).
As part of a $US190 million renovation of the state’s largest meeting venue, Hawaii Convention Centre, in Waikiki, which has 1.1 million square feet (abut 102,000m2) of events space, much of the building’s previously open-air rooftop is being enclosed to add another 39,000ft2 (3,620m2) of weather-proof event space.
“For the next two years we’re under construction…not only doing repairs but putting a canopy over the roof space which we basically didn’t use,” said the venue’s general manager, Teri Orton.
Meanwhile the lobby level comprises a 200,000ft2 (18,580m2) exhibit hall and a 35,000 ft2 (3,251m2) ballroom.
“We can host a plenary for 13,000 to 14,000 seated…recently we had [the] Pacific Chemical Society, which was 15,000 delegates…they used multiple headquarter hotels including Marriott Waikiki, Sheraton Waikiki and the Hilton Hawaiian Village,” Orton said.
“We are right now just doing local business while we renovate, then we’ll reopen to international and national business in January 2028.”
Meanwhile nearby, Waikiki’s largest resort hotel, Hilton Hawaiian Village, has also just competed an upgrade to its landmark Rainbow Tower, which celebrates its 65th anniversary this year. The resort has 2,800 guest rooms.
“All of the Rainbow Tower guest rooms there have been completely renovated and that is our premier tower, that’s closest to the beachfront,” said Hilton’s area director of sales, Charlene Nakamura.
“The next project in line coming in mid-August, is the Ali’i Tower renovation, our hotel within a hotel concept,” she said, adding that it will target small incentive groups.
“You have a dedicated arrival experience [and] its own fitness centre up on the second floor. It’ll have a brand-new pool deck and mixed spa experience and some meeting space for smaller groups.”
Hilton Hawaiian Village has 150,000 ft2 (1,800m2) of meeting space plus a ballroom for 2,000 in theatre.
Nakamura said the hotel could dedicate from 10 to 1,800 rooms to large business events groups.
“Group business is down a little because of the Far East and Australia and New Zealand. So, we’re here trying to drum up more of the international business that really hasn’t recovered since COVID,” she said.
Back at the convention centre, Orton noted that the Asia group market has returned despite the strong US dollar.
“The Asian market for group business has returned before the leisure market has come back,” said Orton.
“So we’ve had a couple [of] large groups from Asia that have come. They’re repeats for us. And surprisingly, they came back very quickly, even though their dollar is not as strong.”
Meet Hawaii’s director of Oceania, Kris Phadungkiatipong, affirmed that Oceania was an important market for Hawaii although there had been some drop in business this year “due to global events”.
“However Hawaii is in the unique position of being a direct flight from both Australia and New Zealand,” he said.
“So, we have seen increasing leads for 100 to 200 pax events from this region for 2027, which is really welcome.”
