The Pro Bowl’s economic impact for Hawaii is extending beyond the increased visitor spending and tax revenues produced by the game, thanks to a partnership between the Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau (HVCB) and the National Football League.

This past Saturday, February 11th, HVCB teamed up with the NFL to showcase Hawaii and Pro Bowl festivities to an elite group of East Coast corporate planners responsible for booking business and incentive meetings for national clients.

Combining Hawaii with the Pro Bowl is an alluring opportunity to generate meetings and incentives business for both the state and the NFL.

Michael Murray, CMP, CMM, CASE, HVCB’s vice president of sales and
marketing for corporate meetings and incentives, noted that companies and their
employees appreciate the perks of associating with the NFL.

“The NFL is a first-class organization that goes all out to treat business and
incentive groups like all-stars during Pro Bowl Week. Add in spending a week in
Hawaii during February and the payoff is a rewarding, invigorating experience that
helps inspire increased sales and more business,” Murray said.

The corporate planners will be accorded VIP status for the Pro Bowl Tailgate
Party and AFC-NFC All-Star Game at Aloha Stadium on February 12th, conduct site
inspections of resort meeting facilities on Oahu and Maui, and participate in several
island-themed activities.

“Hawaii is the NFL’s incentive destination. We bring football’s best players here
to reward their outstanding performance and that’s the same philosophy we bring to
our corporate incentive program,” said Dave Wintergrass, the NFL’s senior director of
special events. “Coming to the islands is a fantastic way to recognize excellence.”

Organizing Hawaii’s Pro Bowl Week sales effort is Joseph Nagle, HVCB’s
Eastern regional director of accounts.

Travel industry partners supporting HVCB and its island chapters Oahu Visitors
Bureau, Maui Visitors Bureau and Kauai Visitors Bureau are:

Hawaiian Airlines; American Airlines; Turtle Bay Resort; The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua; Maui Prince Hotel, Makena Resort; and Panache Destination Management.

Source: HVCB Press Release February 8, 2006

For information about hosting corporate meetings and incentives in Hawaii,
visit HVCB’s Web site at MeetHawaii.com or call (888) 424-2924.