Three of the Hawai‘i Convention Center’s largest meetings of 2011 made significant contributions to Hawai‘i schools, hospitals, nonprofit organizations and communities, all while attracting more than 25,000 participants from around the world, resulting in more than $120 million in state revenue. The American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP), American Psychiatric Association (APA), and the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) worked to improve the mental and physical health of Hawai‘i communities through these efforts and the donation of more than $17,000.
The American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP) 77th Annual CHEST Meeting
DATE: Oct. 22-26, 2011
ATTENDANCE: 6,000
COMMUNITY OUTREACH: Under ACCP’s philanthropic arm, The Chest Foundation, 45 volunteers and medical professionals worked with Honolulu’s Sacred Hearts Academy on October 24 to educate more than 100 fifth- and sixth-grade students in a half dozen classes about tobacco prevention and lung health. The Chest Foundation’s OneBreath initiative also donated $10,000 to support ongoing health programs and activities at the school. In addition, renowned specialists delivered “grand rounds” lectures at select Hawai’i hospitals to provide their expertise on specific patient cases.
The American Psychiatric Association’s (APA) 164th Annual Meeting
DATE: May 14-18, 2011
ATTENDANCE: 10,000
COMMUNITY OUTREACH: As part of the “APA Gives Back Program,” meeting participants donated $7,158 for Hawai`i nonprofit Mental Health Kokua, which helps people with mental illness achieve optimum recovery and the ability to function in the community. APA’s contribution will support the organization’s tele-health program, which provides care to dozens of people across the state, many of whom live in rural areas, who are recovering from mental illness. The American Psychiatric Foundation, the charitable arm of APA, also hosted the Hawai`i Aloha Classic 2011 golf tournament in partnership with the Waipahu Aloha Club at the Waikele Country Club on May 13 to assist in raising funds.
The American Academy of Neurology’s (AAN) 63rd Annual Meeting
DATE: April 9-16, 2011
ATTENDANCE: 10,000
COMMUNITY OUTREACH: The American Academy of Neurology Foundation, which supports education and research in neurology, held its first-ever Brain Health Fair, a public event that drew more than 1,400 participants to the Hilton Hawaiian Village in Waikiki on April 9. The free event included a film festival, interactive exhibits, giveaways, family-friendly activities and Q&A sessions with experts – all to promote brain health.
“The positive impact of groups meeting in Hawai‘i often reaches much further than room nights and visitor spending. The wealth of information, resources and generosity that these meetings have brought to Hawai‘i will enhance our islands for years to come,” said Joe Davis, SMG general manager of the Hawai‘i Convention Center. “We are proud to see our guests and partners carry on the spirit of Na Mea Ho`okipa – the unconditional aloha spirit that the Hawai‘i Convention Center holds at the center of its mission.”
