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M E E T I N G M E E T I N G T H E N E E D S O F Y O U R It's time to decide which des- tination and venue to book for your next event, conference, convention or board meeting. Back in the day, organizing those occasions was more of a routine task – make some phone calls, prepare an agenda, assemble the minutes, reports and documents and put them all in a neat little binder. That was then, this is now. Meetings have taken on a life of their own. A lot more details are involved in making them a success. Bells and whis- tles aside, what meeting planners need to be armed with is information, infor- mation and more information. This column aids meeting planners in their decision-making process by pro- viding vital information on specific des- tinations. Highlighted in this column are Honolulu, Hawaii; Juneau, Alaska; Mesa, Arizona and Seattle, WA. BY DARLENE DONLOE HONOLULU Aloha! If you're a meeting planner who has never considered Honolulu as a meeting destination, first – what have you been waiting for and second, what have you been waiting for? Don't have enough info to make a decision? No worries! The following information will help you make up your mind and send you on your way. Although it's known for its soft sand, grass skirts and great surf, Honolulu has so much more. There are art museums, volcanic craters like the legendary 350-acre Diamond Head, bike paths and lots of history and culture. Meeting and convention partici- pants and incentive travelers will be inspired by the warmth and diversity of Hawaii's culture as they explore the street fairs and multi-ethnic festi- vals, as well as the vast array of sophisticated dining and shopping options available throughout the six major islands – Kauai, Oahu ( the multi-ethnic capital city of Honolulu) , Molokai, Lanai, Maui, and Hawaii, the Big Island. The proximity of legendary his- torical sites like Pearl Harbor and Iolani Palace and opportunities to engage in cultural activities such as lei making, hula and ukulele lessons, is not to be missed, not to mention the beaches, water sports, and champi- onship golf courses. Need some help? The Meet Hawaii team collaborates with indus- try partners to offer invigorating experiences for pre- and post-meet- ing activities, including surfing les- sons, catamaran sailing, golf, and island-themed spa treatments. According to Meet Hawaii, with six different islands to choose from, meeting planners will find a multi- tude of convention, meetings and incentive opportunities, including the Hawaii Convention Center, world class hotels and resorts, excit- ing activities, and iconic off-site ven- ues to accommodate any sized group and program. S TUFF TO DO Whether you're a foodie, sports fan, culture seeker, a shopper or someone who loves to relax at world-class spas, there is no short- B M & T ••• March/April 2015 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 18 Mesa Arizona Arts Center Photo Credit: Hawaii Tourism M E E T I N G M E E T I N G THE NEEDS OF YOUR