THE SENATE

S.C.R. NO.

30

TWENTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2002

S.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

  
   

SENATE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

 

requesting THE HAWAII TOURISM AUTHORITY TO PLACE A HIGHER PRIORITY ON MEETINGS, CONVENTIONS, AND INCENTIVES MARKETING AS A BENEFIT TO THE LARGER ECONOMY.

 

WHEREAS, the Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) was established in 1998 with dedicated funding of 37.9% of the transient accommodations tax (TAT) for the purpose of ensuring Hawaii's success as a premier visitor destination; and

WHEREAS, during the first four years of its existence, the HTA has focused on leisure marketing through a $39,000,000 leisure marketing contract to the Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau, and only $4,000,000 for convention center marketing and $2,000,000 for meetings, conventions, and incentive marketing (MCI); and

WHEREAS, clearly, the positive impact on the State's economy is greater with higher levels of activity in the business meetings, conventions, conferences, and incentive market (MCI), since there is higher discretionary spending by the business visitor, and there is a greater benefit to a broader sector of businesses including carpenters, electricians, entertainers, food and beverage caterers, transportation and tour operators, and specialty businesses; and

WHEREAS, the positive impact of the MCI market can also expand the diversification of Hawaii's economy through technology-based meetings in Hawaii, a sector that has increased as a result of the significant rise in the United States defense budget after September 11; and

WHEREAS, while the strategic plan of the HTA, Ke Kumu, specifically recommends expanded MCI marketing, no concurrent amended budget has been developed for this action; and

WHEREAS, given the pending expiration of the HTA's marketing contract with the Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau contract at the end of 2002, the HTA has a significant opportunity to expand MCI markets and it is incumbent on the Legislature to direct the HTA's efforts to these areas in order to provide for broader economic activities and benefits to the State; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-First Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2002, the House of Representatives concurring, that the HTA achieve goals of a mix of thirty per cent in MCI marketing, as adopted in the Marketing Committee on August 29, 2001, and that the HTA reprioritize its resources to provide a significantly greater amount to business meetings, conventions, conferences, and incentive marketing and other efforts that will have a greater positive impact on the State's overall economy; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the HTA is requested to direct such marketing efforts to be undertaken in partnership with the Hawaii Convention Center in Honolulu, conference facilities offered by hotels on each island, nonprofit private sector technology initiatives, and conference facilities located at educational facilities such as the University of Hawai`i at Hilo, University of Hawai`i-Maui, and University of Hawai`i-Kauai; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the HTA shall report no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2003 on all new contract provisions designed to significantly increase MCI marketing for the State of Hawaii, and their results; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Chairperson of the Board and the Executive Director of the HTA.

 

 

 

Report Title:

Requests HTA to increase business meetings, conventions, conferences, and incentive (MCI) marketing; report in 2003.