HTA Focus - Brand Management and Enhancement of Visitor Experience

Mike McCartney, Chief Executive Officer of Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA), was the keynote speaker at the August North Shore Chamber  membership meeting. The HTA Board of Directors has 12 members.  The Governor appoints six, Senate President three and Speaker of House three.  The board sets policy for marketing Hawaii, and HTA is funded through the  7.25%  Transient Accommodation Tax (TAT).

Mr. McCartney reviewed recent statistics which are available on the HTA website at: http://www.hawaiitourismauthority.org. Hawaii had 7 million visitors at the height of the visitor industry in 2005.  Now the target is 6.7 million.  There has been a decrease of 22% in visitor spending, and, according to Mr. McCartney, it won't ever be the same as it was before.  However, Hawaii is doing well.  We have the second highest room rates and income per room second only to New York. The average visitor spends $161 per day with Japanese spending $260 and Americans $130.

Mr. McCartney said that we will need to focus on brand management.  People want to experience the culture and people of Hawaii when they come here.  They want to experience the aloha spirit.  Therefore, a large part of the  new HTA strategy is to develop the brand and support communities to make the visitor experience authentic and interesting. 

Membership Meeting August 25th, 8AM at Haleiwa Joe's - HTA Mike McCartney is Guest Speaker

Aloha Members,

Mike McCartney, CEO for Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA), will be the key note speaker at the North Shore Chamber's Membership meeting on August 25th at Haleiwa Joe's, 8:00 am. He received his bachelor's degree from Pacific University in Oregon and has held many leadership positions in Hawaii. He joined the HTA early last year. He will speak on the "North Shore's Role in Tourism." Sign-in and networking are from 8:00 to 8:30a.m. A continental breakfast will be served: members $5, non-members $10. The public is invited. Call 637-4558 for more information. Please RSVP by August 23rd.

Also, mark your calendars! Candidate Forum for House, Senate, and City Council races will be held at the Haleiwa Gym on Wednesday September 8, 2010 at 7PM.

MAYORAL DEBATES at CHAMBER OF HAWAII:

When: August 10, 2010, 5:30pm - 8:30pm

The Plaza Club

Join the members of the Main Chamber for a lively discussion of the 2010 Mayoral Special Election. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet the leading candidates and hear them debate issues impacting the business community in Hawaii.

Moderator: Bruce Coppa, President, Coppa Consulting, Inc.

Candidates: Kirk Caldwell, Peter Carlisle, and Panos Prevedouros

Cost: $30 per person (Heavy Pupus, Free parking, NO host bar) Includes Q&A and a Full Hour of Networking.

To register: http://cochawaii.com/event-registration.asp

For more information: http://cochawaii.com/

Mahalo,
Antya