Press Kit

HAWAI`I’S BIG ISLAND EXCEEDS MEETING EXPECTATIONS WITH NEW VENUES AND AUTHENTIC HAWAIIAN APPEAL

Hawai`i’s Big Island, home to one of the world’s most active volcanoes, is a well known hot spot for leisure travelers, but it is fast becoming the island of choice for meeting planners, as the Big Island Visitors Bureau’s enhanced Convention, Meetings and Incentive initiative erupts onto the CMI scene.
Supported by a combination of dramatic new venues, new printed sales tools for meeting planners, the innovative user-friendly, interactive website at www.meet.BigIsland.org, and a new smiling face at industry travel events, the CMI initiative took off with volcanic energy in the first quarter of 2007. Spearheaded by a recent addition to the BIVB team, Senior Director of Sales Adele Preza, her efforts answer the question “Why Hawai`i’s Big Island?” for the CMI universe.

Hawai`i born and raised, Adele has an extensive background in the travel industry, hospitality and marketing, and knows what it takes to host successful group programs in an island setting. Personifying a perfect combination of local charm and professional experience, Adele spends most of her time “offshore,” building relationships and generating leads.
“Hawai`i’s Big Island is indeed big on group programs. With 10,000 hotel rooms, 700,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor meeting space…planners are amazed by what we have to offer,” says Adele. “And look at all the new venues.”
New venues indeed. Hawai`i’s Big Island is loaded with interesting and distinctive meeting spaces that guarantee Hawaiian-style excitement for group functions:

‘Imiloa Astronomy Center in Hilo is the newest attraction on the island with cutting-edge interactive displays, a giant dome planetarium and an amazing “earth sphere” floating globe on which companies can pinpoint their corporate locations across the world. ‘Imiloa translates roughly “to seek far,” and its connection of ancient Polynesian celestial navigation to our modern search for the stars is authentic, intelligent and engaging – a stellar Hawaiian experience for any group.

This summer, Hilo Hattie’s new CMI venue in Kona will add 40,000 square feet of function space, a 55-person theatre, retail, Kona Coffee processing and roasting plant, plus a café and lū`au gardens for a hip new take on a traditional favorite.

New high-end restaurants and retail stores at the Shops at Mauna Lani (opening in phases) and the Kings’ Shops at the Waikoloa Beach Resort add another level of affluence to already rich environment. Upscale restaurant brands like Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse and Tommy Bahama are available for buyout by meeting planners and even Tiffany & Co. offer groups a very exclusive, customized “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” event.

In September, the new Queens’ Marketplace will contribute even more shopping and dining options to the Waikoloa Beach Resort, including cultural gardens and outdoor amphitheatre to accommodate 4,000 people.

On the hotel scene, the Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort & Spa
has just completed a $60 million renovation, including a 12,700-square-foot grand ballroom, for a total 26,000 square feet of tropically elegant function space.

The Hilton Waikoloa Village is after a “new do” too, with a $90 million renovation that includes adding a third tram railway, restaurant and swimming pool revitalization.

Classic favorite Mauna Kea Beach Hotel will begin extensive repairs soon, since damages from the October 15 earthquake closed the guestrooms. The good news is that the beautiful beach, restaurant and Gazebo Bar, Golf Course, Pro Shop and 19th Hole, Seaside Tennis Club and Beauty Salon, weekly Clambake and Lū`au all continue to welcome guests – as does the contemporary sister property right next door, Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel.

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Meeting planners who love Hawai`i but may have wondered about the Big Island as a CMI destination can be assured that this is the place where meetings exceed expectations.

Contact
Jessica Ferracane
President, Irondog Communications LLC
Representing the Big Island Visitors Bureau
P.O. Box 1093
Kurtistown, HI 96760
Cell: (808) 895-5740
Home office: (808) 968-0624
Email Inquiries