Over the next two months, the Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau will capitalize on its long-standing relationship with the membership of Meeting Professionals International (MPI) to sell Hawaii at five regional tradeshows in San Francisco, Chicago, Los Angeles, Boston and Atlanta.
“This time of year is almost like ‘MPI Season’ as our sales teams and industry partners fan out to generate sales leads for meetings and incentives in some of the country’s top business-generating markets,” said Michael Murray, CMP, CMM, CASE, HVCB’s vice president of sales and marketing for corporate meetings and incentives. “Having a prominent presence in these different markets allows us to reach a larger range of lucrative opportunities for new business.”

HVCB’s regional sales representatives and travel industry partners will be promoting the islands and developing sales leads at the following MPI events:

MPI Northern California Chapter Trade Show, San Francisco, Feb. 2 HVCB starts ‘MPI Season’ at an event sponsored by one of MPI’s largest chapters nationally. More than 4,000 corporate, association, and independent meeting planners are expected to attend, many of which represent technology, finance and insurance corporations. Nine travel industry partners are joining HVCB, with a grand prize giveaway of a free Hawaii trip for two highlighting the event. Organizing Hawaii’s marketing effort is Cheryl Fernandez, HVCB’s Western regional director of accounts.

MPI Chicago Area Chapter Educational Conference, Chicago, Feb. 23 HVCB will enhance sales opportunities for new business by co-sponsoring this event, which will draw 300 planners and suppliers from the area. Organizing Hawaii’s marketing effort is Kathy Dever, HVCB’s Midwest regional director of accounts.

 

MPI Southern California Chapter Tradeshow, Los Angeles, Mar. 2 Hawaii’s popularity with Southern California business travelers will be showcased at the region’s premier annual MPI event, with more than 1,000 corporate, association, and independent meeting planners taking part. Organizing Hawaii’s marketing effort is Cheryl Fernandez, HVCB’s Western regional director of accounts.

 

MPI New England Meetings Industry Conference and Exposition, Boston, Apr. 4

 

More than 2,000 meeting professionals and 350 exhibitors are expected to participate, making this one of New England’s largest meetings events. HVCB’s tradeshow booth will stand out with a Hawaii-themed design and amenity gifts. Five travel industry partners are helping to sell the islands. Organizing Hawaii’s marketing effort is Joseph Nagle, HVCB’s Eastern regional director of accounts.

 

MPI Georgia Chapter Meetings Exploration Conference, Atlanta, Apr.
26-27 HVCB’s final stop takes it to Atlanta for a tradeshow that will draw more than 800 meeting professionals and 175 exhibitors. Four travel industry partners will join HVCB in highlighting the islands as a business destination and increasing networking opportunities. Tropical floral arrangements and specialty Hawaiian chocolates will be among the items attracting attendees to the Hawaii exhibit area. Organizing Hawaii’s marketing effort is Joseph Nagle, HVCB’s Eastern regional director of accounts.

 

  Dallas-based MPI is the meeting industry’s largest association with 21,000 members and 68 chapters and clubs worldwide. MPI hosts two annual conventions, the Professional Education Conference (PEC) and World Education Congress (WEC).

 

HVCB and its travel partners held a major sales promotion at MPI-PEC in New Orleans last month, and have an equally big marketing effort planned for MPI-WEC in Montreal this July. In addition, HVCB hosted MPI-PEC at the Hawaii Convention Center in January 2002, attracting 1,500 meeting professionals worldwide.

——-