HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.C.R. NO.	12
TWENTY-SIXTH LEGISLATURE, 2011		H.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII

HOUSE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

URGING CONGRESS AND THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE TO HOST MORE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCES IN HAWAI‘I.

     WHEREAS, the State of Hawai‘i is geographically positioned as the western gateway between the world's largest economy and the world's fastest growing economies; and

     WHEREAS, that position presents new and exciting opportunities for expansion and diversity of Hawai‘i's economy in both tourism and technology; and

     WHEREAS, within the Asia-Pacific Basin in the year 2010, there were more than 30 industrial trade organizations, international trade co-operatives, and environmental organizations that held their annual conferences in countries of southeast Asia and the Pacific Basin; and

     WHEREAS, the Hawai‘i State Convention Center will be the site of the 2011 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit, bringing together President Barack Obama, a Hawai‘i native, and 18 other heads of state, more than 500 delegates, and a total of more than 10,000 participants; and

     WHEREAS, international trade and cooperation summits would provide economic stimulus to Hawai‘i through its visitor industry, as well as showcase Hawai‘i's beautiful environment; and

     WHEREAS, Hawai‘i has the air lift capacity and conference facilities necessary to easily accommodate an international conference of this size and magnitude; and
     WHEREAS, the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism has the ability to assist with promoting the State of Hawai‘i as a safe and secure location to host international meetings, conferences, and seminars; now, therefore,

     BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-sixth Legislature of the State of Hawai‘i, Regular Session of 2011, the Senate concurring, that the United States Congress and the Department of State are urged to host more international trade conferences and summits in Hawai‘i; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism is requested to submit a status report to the Legislature detailing accomplishments, challenges, and entities contacted in the promotion of the State of Hawai‘i as a safe and secure location to host international meetings, conferences, and seminars no later than 20 days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2012; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, Senate Majority Leader, United States Secretary of State, Director of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism, and members of Hawai‘i's congressional delegation.

Report Title: 

Hosting more international conferences; Hawai‘i