Add Oahu to the destinations ready to welcome groups back. Days after the island’s gathering restrictions were eased on March 11, Hawaii Convention Center in Honolulu launched a campaign alerting events professionals that it is open for business.

As is the case with meeting facilities on the mainland, the center has implemented health and safety protocols for meetings and events, led by ASM’s Global’s Venue Shield program. These include:

• 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.

The convention center additionally added a virtual studio for livestreaming and creating pre-recorded packages and producing webinars/broadcasts. Virtual site visits and a digital toolkit are also available for planners.

“The Hawaii Convention Center offers numerous advantages when holding meetings and events, and we are excited to welcome guests back to Hawaii with the legendary Aloha spirit and service that sets us apart as a productive, relaxed and enjoyable place to conduct business,” said Teri Orton, general manager of the Hawaii Convention Center, managed by ASM Global. 

She continued, “As Hawaii opens up meetings and travel options, we are here to provide large gathering spaces and event options in a safe, open-air environment, while closely following the recommendations of public health officials. As always, the health and safety of our guests and employees are the center’s top priority.”

Meeting in paradise should sound appealing to corporate groups with attendees ready and willing to fly. Aside from the new measures at the convention center, the tropical weather naturally lends itself to outdoor events like luaus and teambuilding activities on the sand and in the water.

Attendees require a confirmed negative COVID test within 72 hours of flying to Hawaii and can opt out of a 10-day quarantine window.

All destinations have been adversely affected by the pandemic, but few have been devastated quite like Hawaii. Tourism makes up 21% of the Rainbow State’s economy, and its lockdown left many businesses shuttered for months.

But news that the Tier 3 reopening strategy is taking effect opens the door for convention centers, third-party conference room providers and banquet halls to host “low-risk structured events.”

Meet Hawaii reports interest in meetings inquiries for 2021 — especially for smaller groups and hybrid gatherings — and is seeing greater interest for 2022 and beyond. 

“Meet Hawaii anticipates the return to pre-COVID group demand to Hawaii in 2024,” John Reyes, Meet Hawaii’s senior vice president and chief meetings, conventions and incentives sales officer told Corporate Event News late last year.

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