The ISMRM is a nonprofit professional association whose purpose is to promote communication, research, development, and applications in the field of magnetic resonance in medicine and biology and other related topics and to develop and provide channels and facilities for continuing education in the field. Our multidisciplinary membership consists of over 7,000 clinicians, physicists, engineers, biochemists, and technologists. The educational value of our meetings is of the utmost importance. ISMRM is an extremely collaborative, hardworking group. It is all about the meeting program and social networking, and Hawai‘i delivers an environment that feeds productivity that works very well for us. Because we are so focused on education, it is never a question of “whether or not to go to a destination,” it is about “how do we make it work?” It also does not hurt that the entire Hawai‘i team is there to help make it work. We have never really had to deal with the leisure perception issue either, but it was also an advantage that this was a repeat visit to Hawai‘i. We had great feedback from our first meeting in the islands. In the minds of our members, the Hawai‘i Convention Center is one of the top three centers in the world in terms of attractiveness, layout, service and food. Our membership also loves being under one roof and being the only group in the house. Everywhere they turned, they bumped into another colleague which was very conducive to networking. This very serious group arrived at the Center at 7:00 am and stayed until 9:00 pm, so they really know firsthand what works and what does not. And, the easy access – walking distance – to the Center from the hotels is paramount. The destination melds itself right into the fabric of the program, enhancing it every step of the way. Whether it is an after hours gathering at a Waik?k? restaurant or an encounter with the Center’s staff, attendees have a memorable experience professionally and personally. It is the perfect place to do business. |
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Roberta A. Kravitz |
Read Pacific Business News Scientific meeting helps fill some Waikiki hotels |
For the International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine (ISMRM), interacting on a global basis is part of our core structure. From its multinational membership, reflected through to the structure of its Board of Directors, to the mandated international rotation of where we hold our meetings, we are truly international through and through. So when we came to Hawai‘i in April for our scientific meeting and exhibition at the Hawai‘i Convention Center, we were very pleased to realize a larger than normal turnout internationally. North American attendees accounted for approximately 54 percent, while 46 percent were from other countries. We think it is because of Hawai‘i’s draw. It is a very attractive destination with good air lift, beautiful weather, and great hotels. And, of course, its geographic location is excellent as well! 
In our last issue we shared how selecting Hawai‘i as your meeting place is an excellent leadership decision, but don’t take it from me…… “This year’s AAPD session is one of our largest ever, most likely a result of Hawaii being the host state,” explained Dr. Beverly A. Largent, immediate past president of the AAPD. “Many of the attendees brought in their families and dental staff with them taking advantage of what Hawai‘i has to offer.”
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry’s (AAPD) 62nd Annual Session (May 21 to 24) broke the all time attendance record for a meeting in the groups history; 4,838 participants instead of the projected 2,500 attendees.
And hear directly from Roberta Kravitz, Executive Director, International Society for
Magnetic Resonance in Medicine, as she tells the story of her organization’s recent global success in our feature article.
We’re also pleased to share an update on the Honolulu International Airport, which is
part of Hawai‘i’s Statewide Airports Modernization Plan, making the guest experience pleasant from the start.
A hui hou (Until we meet again),
Joe Davis
SMG General Manager
The Hawai‘i Convention Center once again shows what a great place Hawai‘i can be for convention and meeting planners with the unveiling of its second edition of the Hawai‘i Advantage. This comprehensive marketing tool details every advantage that Hawai‘i has to offer as a first class meetings destination. It highlights Hawai‘i as a prime geographical location that bridges the Americas and Asia, it praises Hawai‘i for being technologically savvy and it describes Hawai‘i’s long history of sustainability and green initiatives. The seed for conceptualizing the Hawai‘i Advantage was planted using feedback from the Center’s advisory boards and clients who saw that Hawai‘i did offer some unparalleled advantages over other meeting destinations. When looking through the pages of the Hawai‘i Advantage, meeting planners will be pleased to read about how to balance business and life, Hawai‘i leading the way in utilizing alternative energy, the Hawai‘i Convention Center’s unique Business Ambassador and Na Mea Ho‘okipa programs, Hawai‘i’s cultural diversity and a description of the Center’s Global Advantage program. Most importantly however, is that this initiative is rooted in testimonials of past convention organizers and attendees which imparts credence and verity, reiterating the Center’s commitment to the customer. And of course, no other destination offers business with aloha. To view the Hawai‘i Advantage brochure, please visit our website at www.hawaiiconvention.com.
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The Hawai‘i Convention Center is pleased to welcome back Jim LaBadie, CASE, as Regional Director of Accounts – Midwest, a position he held from 2005 to 2006. He will be based in the HCC’s Chicago sales office.
LaBadie will be responsible for the booking of the Hawai‘i Convention Center’s complete product line as well as coordinating the day-to-day sales efforts utilizing creative promotions, advertising and special events to maximize revenue and strategy goals.
Prior to his re-appointment, LaBadie was the Los Angeles Convention & Visitors Bureau’s Director - Midwest Region Convention Sales. He has nearly 30 years of experience in sales and marketing and is also a member of such groups as the American Society of Association Executives, Meeting Planners International and the Professional Convention Management Association.
The Program was developed in close consultation with the Airlines Committee of Hawai‘i. Current and Short-term projects over the next three years are intended to quickly address pressing needs by improving passenger service, increasing safety and improving operational efficiency. Beginning on or about 2010, a second group of projects will increase the capacity of the airports as appropriate, enhance their convenience and continue to make them more efficient. Honolulu International Airport A new 1,800 stall parking structure between the existing Interisland and Overseas parking structures was completed in February 2009, the total parking capacity at the airport increased from 4,500 to 6,300. Construction is under way on the new 3rd Level International Arrivals (Sterile) Corridor that will provide an easy, secure, route to the Customs area for passengers who arrive at the Ewa Concourse. The air conditioned corridor with moving walkways is scheduled to be completed in December 2009. Construction of a new Explosive Detection System (EDS) for the Main Terminal is moving forward and it will be integrated with the baggage handling system. Once completed in the summer of 2010, the stand-alone screening equipment that now clutters the ticket lobbies will be removed. An EDS has already been installed in the Interisland Terminal. The Flight Information Display System has been upgraded. Eight aging passenger loading bridges at the Central Concourse have been replaced and there are plans to replace additional bridges at the frontal gates as well as at the Diamond Head and Ewa Concourses. The food and beverage concessions have been upgraded. The new offerings provide a wider variety and more upscale appearance along with familiar, local brands:
Other improvements have been made, and some are still underway on the neighbor islands – Kahului Airport (island of Maui), Lihue Airport (island of Kaua‘i), Kona International Airport at Keahole (island of Hawai‘i) and Hilo International Airport (island of Hawai‘i). For a complete update on airport upgrades on these islands, please contact the salesperson in your area. Update provided by Marsha Wienert, Tourism Liaison, Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism. |
The Airports Modernization Program is a $2.3-billion effort to transform our airports into world-class facilities over the next ten years, so they can meet the future needs of our residents and visitors alike.
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Whatever you need to make your meeting
in Hawai‘i a success, your Hawai‘i Convention Center sales team
is at your service. The Center
is your one-stop-shop for everything from tours and special venues to
meeting space and industry resources. Call your sales professional below the
only contact you need for a productive, memorable
event.
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 Lorrie Lum Regional Director of Accounts Midwest (808) 943-3035 llum@hccsmg.com |
 Sherri Thadeus Regional Director of Accounts East (703) 647-7410 sthadeus@hccsmg.com |
 Robb Huff Regional Director of Accounts West (858) 270-2390 rhuff@hccsmg.com |
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 Lee Conching Associate Director of Sales Service & Support (808) 943-3555 lconching@hccsmg.com |
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Hear what our clients have to say! Visit www.hawaiiconvention.com for video testimonials about the topics that concern you such as attendance, productivity, cost, customer service and freight.
Convention Facilities: The Hawai‘i Convention Center boasts a 200,000-square-foot exhibit hall (divisible into three halls); a 35,000-square-foot registration lobby; 103,610 square feet of meeting space (divisible into 49 breakout rooms); two state-of-the-art multimedia theaters with tiered seating for a respective 320 and 472 delegates; a 35,000-square-foot grand ballroom and pre-function area; and a 2.5-acre rooftop garden terrace.
For information about Hawai‘i’s destination offerings
on all islands or the Hawai‘i
Convention Center, visit www.gohawaii.com or
www.hawaiiconvention.com.
Message from the General Manager
Hawai‘i Convention Center Unveils Second Edition of Their Hawai‘i Advantage Marketing Piece
Hawai‘i Convention Center Appoints Regional Director of Accounts for the Midwest
Hawai‘i Statewide Airports Modernization Plan Update
Al Lever, Executive
Vice President & CEO, American College of Chest Physicians
Anne Martinez, Meetings Administrator, American Podiatric Medical Association
Barbara A. Bohmann,
CMP, Senior Meeting Manager, International Foundation of Employee
Benefit
Plans (IFEBP)
Barbara Dunlavey, CMO, CAE, Executive Director, Biomedical Engineering Society
Chris Vranas, Executive Director, American Association of Orthodontists
Christine Phelps, Deputy Executive Director, American Academy of Neurology & American Academy of Neurology Foundation
Gregg H. Talley, CAE, President and CEO, Talley Management Group, Inc.
James Youngblood, CEO, The Heart Rhythm Society
Leigh Ann Stockard, Vice President, Meetings, American Heart Association
Liz Huh, CMP, CAE, Vice President, Meetings & Conferences, National Apartment Association
Marty Balogh, Director, Meetings & Travel, American Bar Association
Nancy Todd, CMP, Manager - Conference Management & Vendor Relations, American Chemical Society
Paul Markowski, Deputy Executive Vice President, American Academy of Otolaryngology
Robert Hobart, Vice President - Corporate Services, American Medical Association
Robert S. Johns, Executive Director, National Dental Association
Roberta Kravitz, Executive Director, International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine
Ronald S. Moen, CEO
American Dietetic Association
Scott Hunt, Executive Director,
The Endocrine Society
Bonnie Boisner, Vice President, Client Operations, Engagement and Events, Carlson Marketing
Carolyn Pund, CMP, CMM, Senior Manager Global Meetings & Events, Cisco Systems
Darell Maria Stokes, Global Meeting Manager, Symantec Corporation
Deborah Callahan,
President and CEO, Corporate Travel Solutions/
American Express
Jeff Singsaas,
General Manager,
Microsoft Studios & Global Event Marketing, Microsoft
Jodi Morrison, Senior Director, Event Marketing Technology and Operations, Oracle Corporation
Joe Smith, President, Event Services, StageOne Events, Inc.
Keegan Rodriguez, CMP, Event Operations Manager, SAP Global Marketing Inc.
Lisa VanRosendale, Senior Vice President, Immersa Marketing
Maria Monica Santos, Senior Director, Global Events, Blackboard, Inc.
Mark Pilkenton, Director, Global Meeting Management, Nike
Pam Newman, Vice President Event Management, RE/MAX International
Stuart Bowling, Vice President & General Manager, Maritz Travel Company
Terry Drake,
Manager, Merchandising & National Shows,
Mazda North American Operations
Todd Thrall, Director of Meetings & Events, Best Western International Inc.
- Hawai‘i is the 50th state and its capitol city, Honolulu located on the island of O‘ahu, is the 17th largest in the nation.
- Honolulu, one of the most wired cities on the planet is also one of the safest.
- An innovative environment in the areas of ocean sciences, astronomy, biotechnology, aquaculture, defense technology, dual-base technology and diversified agriculture.
- Six unique islands, six unique experiences – perfect for an extended educational meeting or a pre-/post-vacation.
- Got rooms? There are 71,000 rooms statewide and 31,000 are in Waikiki, an unequalled venue for global gatherings of all sizes which is experiencing a $3+ billion rebirth.
- The “Hawai‘i Clean Energy Initiative” is a partnership between the U.S. Department of Energy and the Hawai‘i Department of Energy. The goal? Obtain at least 70% of Hawai‘i’s energy via renewable energy by the year 2030, as well as becoming a “model state” for a nationwide program.
- O‘ahu’s TheBus is rated as one of the best bus public transportation systems in the United States.
- Honolulu Harbor is one of the ten largest container-handling ports in the U.S.
- World class cuisine, hotels, spas, shopping and golf courses – something for everyone’s price range or palate.
- Activities that will appeal to the entire family.
- Active adventures abound – kayaking, snorkeling and scuba, tennis, horseback riding, biking, hiking, deep-sea fishing, surfing, and golf.
- A naturally diverse population with an unparalleled depth of resources.
- Near perfect weather, averaging 77 degrees year round.
- Aloha spirit, alive and well…..only in Hawai‘i.
