SPEAKERS CONFIRMED FOR TOURISM CONFERENCE

The Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) has confirmed additional speakers and sessions for the upcoming annual Hawaii Tourism Conference on Aug. 22-23 at the Hawaii Convention Center. The speaker list now includes Facebook global marketing solutions manager David Parfect. He will share the latest social media trends, their influence on travel and how to utilize Facebook to grow destination awareness and travel. Also newly announced is marketing research experts Jeffrey Eslinger, the account services director at D.K. Shifflet & Associates Ltd.; and Matthew McDougall, CEO/founder of Digital Jungle Ltd. They will provide insight on how North American and Asian travellers view Hawaii and other destinations to illustrate Hawaii’s competitive position. A new Meetings, Conventions and Incentives (MCI) panel will include local group sellers and respected industry partners who will discuss what is currently being done to grow this market and how to build the “business brand”for Hawaii. (http://www.hawaiitourismauthority.org)