Meeting News - September 8, 2008 - (Page 28)

CVBs After a state audit discovered pornographic material in his office computer, Hawaii Tourism Authority president and CEO Rex Johnson is keeping his job but took a hit in his pride and wallet. While the HTA has decided to keep Johnson amid a difficult time for Hawaii’s tourism industry, it has modified his employment to a one-year contract worth $200,000. Johnson had been working under a four-year, $240,000/yr contract as head of the HTA. He was also given both verbal and written reprimands by the authority. “The HTA board of directors has carefully and thoroughly reviewed the matter,” HTA board chairman Kelvin Bloom said. “We are pleased to have resolved this issue, and Rex has the board’s full support going forward.” In June, a government auditor reported to the Hawaii state legislature that Johnson, who has been at his post since 2002, used his e-mail account to view and send adult-oriented messages, prompting some state officials to call for his resignation. The HTA board held a six-hour, closed-door meeting on Aug. 12 to were passed on to colleagues or industry contacts. “I appreciate all of the support shown to me by members of the community, visitors industry, and staff,” he said after HTA’s decision. “Once again, I apologize for my error in judgment, which put the board in a very difficult position. As I have said before, I will abide by the board’s decision. I want to thank the board for their confidence in my ability to lead HTA as we move forward to address the challenges facing the tourism industry.” Johnson will continue to look to help turn Hawaii’s sagging tourism industry around. According to the latest Hawaii Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism report, July visitor arrivals fell 14 percent versus July 2007. While the economy has affected the industry, the shutterings of Aloha Airlines and ATA Airlines and loss of two Norwegian Cruise Line ships have further impacted By William Ng william.ng@nielsen.com Hawaii Tourism Authority’s Johnson Remains at the Helm President and CEO of the destination bureau allowed to stay on after being caught with pornographic e-mails the destination. As a result, many of the islands’ hospitality suppliers are fighting to keep visitor levels up, in part by offering deals to meeting groups (July 21 MN, p. 21). judgment. I want to thank the board for their confidence in my ability to lead HTA. —Rex Johnson, HTA president & CEO apologize “Imy error infor Northern Kentucky Takes Event Planners On An Aerial Tour Just south of Cincinnati, the Northern Kentucky Convention and Visitors Bureau has unveiled an interactive virtual map of its destination of Covington, KY, giving meeting planners photorealistic, blanket views of important group sites and their proximities. Dubbed the “360 Riverfront Aerial Tour,” located at www. nkycvb.com, planners can get 360degree, bird’s-eye views of downtown Cincinnati to the north and, across the Ohio River, the Northern Kentucky Convention Center and its surrounding hotels and attractions to the south. The tour was created using composited aerial photographs. After a lay of the land, planners can click on eight attractions, such as the Newport Aquarium, Hofbrauhaus Beer Garden, and Newport on the Levee entertainment district. Clicking on one of the attractions takes users to panoramic, ground-level views of the specific landmark or area. These views are also generated from composited photographs, and users can zoom in and out of them. The new feature augments the NKYCVB’s website, which was entirely redesigned last October. www.meetingnews.com ” decide Johnson’s fate, but a decision wasn’t made public until more than a week later. Before the hearing, Johnson admitted to forwarding the e-mails received from personal friends but said none San Francisco Creates Another Microsite, This Time for Greening San Francisco, which has been one of the more progressive green U.S. cities with its hybrid-powered taxis, ban on plastic bags, and solar-paneled convention center, now has its convention bureau establishing a microsite showing planners and visitors how to green their meetings and trips to the Bay Area. It follows on a food-related microsite the San Francisco Convention & Visitors Bureau unveiled earlier this year. The SFCVB has even coined a term, “ecothusiasm,” describing the city’s environmental friendliness. 28 MeetingNews “San Francisco is on the cutting edge of the environmental movement; it’s really part of the city’s personality,” said Joe D’Alessandro, SFCVB’s president and CEO.“Our new web pages provide resources and information for everyone who wants to learn about what they can do. The pages begin at www. onlyinsanfrancisco.com/green. A new blog, Eco411, contains ideas and information about planet-friendly businesses and activities. Links to the mayor’s office and the city’s environmental department provide information about reducing carbon footprints. The “Green Your Trip” section highlights the city’s public transportation. And, the “Green Your Meeting” section has resources and tips for increasing attendance while reducing impact. Earlier, the SFCVB debuted TasteSF, at www.onlyinsanfrancisco.com/taste, dedicated to the city by the Bay’s restaurants and wine offerings. Analogous to its green brethren, the TasteSF microsite has a blog, called Foodie411, and searchable restaurant and wine information. September 8, 2008 http://www.nkycvb.com http://www.nkycvb.com http://www.onlyinsanfrancisco.com/taste http://www.onlyinsanfrancisco.com/green http://www.onlyinsanfrancisco.com/green http://www.onlyinsanfrancisco.com/taste http://www.meetingnews.com

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Meeting News - September 8, 2008

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