The Aloha Hotel Industry Conference and Exhibition (AHICE Aloha) made a spectacular return to the Hawai’ian Islands in November, with key executives flying from across the world to speak at the 2024 event.
The tourism sector in Hawai’i is critically important to the state’s economy and the growth and recovery of the industry was the key theme at the 2024 Aloha Hotel Industry Conference and Exhibition, held in November at the Ala Moana Hotel by Mantra.
AHICE Aloha kicked-off with a welcome event at the OUTRIGGER Waikiki Beachcomber hotel, sponsored by Outrigger Hospitality Group and Ohana Beverage Co, which was headlined by fantastic beverages by Ohana and an appearance by cast members of the upcoming hit show Cirque du Soleil ‘Auana.
The next morning it was on to the Ala Moana Hotel by Mantra, where over 140 delegates heard from some key industry executives, including Outrigger Hospitality Group President and CEO, Jeff Wagoner; Accor Chief Development Officer Pacific and Head of Apartments and Leases, Lindsay Leeser; Pono Wines’ Chief Winemaker, Dave Sedeno; THSA Managing Director, Rodger L. Powell; Ala Moana Hotel by Mantra General Manager, Daniel Barnard; Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau Chairperson, Sean Dee; Hawaii Hotel Alliance President, Jerry Gibson; Powell and Aucello Principal F. Kevin Aucello; Outrigger Hospitality Group VP Global Communications and Social Responsibility, Monica Salter; Ohana Beverage Co CEO Elizabeth Haak; KHON2 Vice President and General Manager, Kristina Lockwood; Outrigger Hospitality Group Vice President Sales – The Americas, Angela Murphy; Luxury Escapes Partnerships and Contracting Manager, David Callan; Tourism Fiji Head of Destination Development Lucia Zeeard; and more.
All-up, over 60 hotel and tourism leaders took to the stage and hot topics in hotel investment and operations will be up for discussion with top industry figures from across the Hawai’ian Islands, the United States and globally taking to the stage in informative Q&A and panel sessions.
Thanks to key partnerships with the Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau and the Hawaii Hotel Alliance, AHICE Aloha featured senior leaders as speakers who looked at top-line informative topics, including the rebounding of tourism, the impact recent industrial action, top food and beverage trends, aviation and new investment attraction.
The event featured three keynote speakers, including KIA Enterprises President Blaine Kamalani Kia, Los Angeles-based Somatic Sound Practitioner and Wellness Regenerative Coach Briana Spencer and The Real McCoy Rum Founder and CEO, Bailey Pryor.
Kia led the day off with Hawaiian blessings and a cultural ceremony before later talking about the importance of Hawai’ian Culture in hotels and resorts and some of the unique was properties are doing it well.
Pryor, who has worked as a writer, producer and director in the film and television industry for over 25 years including winning seven Emmy Awards, is also the Founder and CEO of The Real McCoy rum, which is based on a film he produced, of the same name.
In his keynote, Bailey looked at the clear need for transparency in the liquor industry. He looked at how consumers and the hospitality industry are largely unaware that some alcohol producers regularly use carcinogens, allergens and meat-based products in their beer, wine and spirits, without informing the public.
Spencer was one of the event’s most popular speakers and took delegates through two Somatic body healing sessions, while also delivering a keynote speech on how hotels should increase where holistic programs should be created and look beyond the day spa.
Offerings such as sound healing events, meditation, yoga, reducing stress levels, focus-retention and over-all healthy in the body should be front and centre and Spencer looked at why and importantly, how.
After a fantastic day of discussion, the event concluded with a networking event sponsored by Accor and Ohana Beverage Co at the Ala Moana Hotel by Mantra before a VIP dinner at Monkeypod Kitchen by Merriman, which showcased some of the best wines and cocktails available in the Hawaiian Islands.
“From our evocative keynotes to our insightful panels, the Somatic body healing sessions and the fantastic networking our events are well-known for, we were thrilled at the successful return of AHICE Aloha in November,” said AHICE Group President and HM Editor-In-Chief, James Wilkinson.
“The calibre of speakers was world-class, the quality of beverages was top shelf and the cultural elements of the event made AHICE Aloha uniquely Hawaiian and we can’t wait to put on another fantastic event in 2025.”
AHICE Aloha was hosted by HM and Wayfarer magazines and had some fantastic sponsors and supporters for the 2024 event, including Foundation Partner Outrigger Hospitality Group; Principal Partner Accor; Affiliate Partners the Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau and the Hawaii Hotel Alliance; Emerald Sponsor Ohana Beverage Co; Platinum Sponsor THSA; Gold Sponsors Hilton Grand Vacations, IHG Hotels and Resorts, Luxury Escapes and Seibu Prince Hotels and Resorts; and Silver Sponsors Hotel Emporium, KHON2, The Orchard Lei Company, Shakabots and Travmedia.
AHICE Aloha is returning to Hawai’i next year, with the event set to be held at the Ala Moana Hotel by Mantra in Honolulu in early December 2025.