Updates continue to be available at www.gohawaii.com. For information on FEMA assistance for Big Island individuals, households and businesses, please click here.
MARKETING UPDATE
Turning to our marketing efforts, HVCB launched its “Picture Hawaii” fall marketing campaign promoting Hawaii’s culture and beauty through the eyes of our people – literally.
You might recall earlier this year we invited kamaaina to send us their favorite photos capturing life in the islands.
The response was overwhelming, with more than 8,000 photos submitted. I’ve looked at many of them and you can see the joy that our people take in how we live and play in Hawaii, and what makes Hawaii special.
These photos have become the inspirational centerpiece for our fall campaign. Coupled with our newest interactive travel planner at GoHawaii.com, the photos and the experiences they highlight will encourage visitors to plan a vacation based on what Hawaii’s people enjoy – which our research shows visitors want.
Two new television spots are driving travelers to our website – and driving up interest in Hawaii. They are part of a nationwide integrated marketing campaign of public relations promotions and TV, print and online advertising in prominent travel media outlets, such as Discovery Channel, National Geographic and Travel Channel.
The public relations component is themed “Fall for the Nature of Hawaii” and showcases the appeal of our state’s national parks and wildlife refuges. Two high-profile publicity efforts drew lots of attention to Hawaii in September. First, travel expert Laura Powell conducted a series of national TV interviews discussing Hawaii’s parks and fall packages. Then, the Wolf Trap Foundation hosted its “Face of America: Hawaii” concert in Washington, D.C., featuring Kealii Reichel, Ledward Kaapana and Halau O Kekuhi.
Two other HVCB initiatives are worth noting. In August, PBS recorded its top-rated TV show “Antiques Road Show” at the Hawaii Convention Center to be televised in the coming months. Also, on November 11, the popular radio show, “A Prairie Home Companion” will be broadcast live nationwide from the Blaisdell Concert Hall.
Taken collectively, the fall promotional schedule will keep Hawaii well positioned in the national travel spotlight over the next several months.
Finally, I would like to remind you about our 104th Annual Luncheon taking place on Monday, November 20th at the Sheraton Waikiki Hotel and Resort. We will be reviewing our 2006 marketing activities, as well as highlighting our plans for 2007.
For more information, visit: http://www.hvcb.org/luncheon.
Mahalo,
John Monahan
President & CEO |
