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When Hawai‘i throws a party, it does it in style. And when that party is the state’s biggest tourism conference, you can bet every lei, keynote, and panel session will come adorned with serious intent and just a dash of island magic.

The Hawai‘i Tourism Authority (HTA) has officially opened registration for the 2025 Hawai‘i Tourism Conference, to be held at the gleaming Hawai‘i Convention Centre on O‘ahu from 22 to 23 September. It promises to be the premier get-together for anyone who has a stake in the visitor economy, from sharp-suited marketers to the keepers of natural treasures, from policymakers to the pioneers shaping tomorrow’s travel landscape.

“This year’s theme, Pūpūkahi I Holomua – Unite to Move Forward, reflects our commitment to collaboration and shared purpose,” said Caroline Anderson, HTA’s interim president and CEO. “By coming together, we can overcome challenges and harness our collective strength to move Hawai‘i’s visitor industry forward with resilience and intention.”

What’s on the agenda?

In keeping with its reputation, the programme brims with sessions to tickle both the curious and the pragmatic. Highlights include:

  • Keynotes and panel discussions offering insights into sports tourism, global marketing trends, and the evolving brand strategies of the HTA.

  • These will be insightful sessions where weighty topics such as artificial intelligence, destination management, and the protection of Hawai‘i’s intellectual property will be unravelled.

  • Mākeke, the showcase marketplace, bringing together businesses, community groups and industry champions aligned on regenerative tourism and destination stewardship.

  • A welcome reception under the banner of “Hawai‘i’s Spirit of Hospitality,” ensuring networking comes with plenty of aloha.

  • The much-loved Hospitality Hall of Fame luncheon honours those visionaries who laid the foundations for Hawai‘i’s global standing as a world-class destination.

Tickets and inclusions

Conference registration is USD $325, which neatly packages continental breakfast, lunch, coffee, the welcome reception, access to the Mākeke, and entry to all keynote and concurrent sessions. In other words, excellent value for a front-row seat at the heart of Hawai‘i’s tourism dialogue.

Why it matters

The timing of this year’s gathering is anything but accidental. Like destinations across the globe, Hawai’i has had to navigate shifting tides in consumer behaviour, sustainability imperatives, and the fast-marching advance of technology. This conference is a reminder that the islands’ tourism industry isn’t just reacting—it’s leaning forward, with purpose and unity, to set the agenda.

The stakes are high for a place whose natural beauty and cultural richness have made it a dream destination for generations. Hawai‘i’s visitor industry isn’t merely an economic powerhouse; it’s a guardian of identity, heritage, and environment. The discussions unfolding in September will ripple well beyond the convention centre walls, influencing policy, practice, and perhaps even the very definition of what it means to “host” in Hawai’i.

Final word

One thing is certain: delegates heading to O‘ahu won’t just leave with a lanyard and a stack of business cards. They’ll carry away renewed conviction that when Hawai‘i unites, it doesn’t just move forward – it inspires the world to follow.

For full details or to secure your place, visit the official registration site: 2025 Hawai‘i Tourism Conference.

By Sandra Jones

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