Stay tuned for the 2021 schedule!
Seminar Topics & Information
May 29, 2019
The Recipe for Attracting and Keeping Employees
When: Wednesday, May 29 10AM-11AM
Where: General Seminar Room 1 – 317A
Speaker: Janina Abiles, Manager of Client HR Trainings and Products, ProService
About: Engaged employees are critical to a businesses’ success as hospitality to guests. Yes, finding and keeping solid employees is one of the biggest challenges many Hawaii employers are faced with. Learn how to leverage your brand to attract job-seekers and keep them excited about coming to work daily.
Who Should Attend? Small business owners, HR departments, General Managers
The Future of Media Consumption (and how to keep up with it)
When: Wednesday, May 29 11:15AM-11:45AM
Where: General Seminar Room 1 – 317A
Speaker: Spectrum Cable
About: The daily bombardment of information from various media can be overwhelming, but there’s a smart way to harness all this data and grow your business while still serving your marketing goals. Check out this 30-minute seminar and discover the most successful ways of reaching customers through hyper-targeting your audience and maximizing your advertising budget.
Who Should Attend? Small-business owners, HR departments, general managers, business owners, marketing professionals
Cyber Security & Safety
When: Wednesday, May 29 12PM-12:45PM
Where: General Seminar Room 1 – 317A
Speaker: Detective Chris Duque, Cyber Security Investigator
About: Staying ahead of cybercriminals who wish to hack or breach software, or spread viruses and ransomware is what savvy businesses do. Get expert advice on protecting yourself and your business online from a longtime cyber crimes investigator.
Who Should Attend? Business owners, marketing professionals, HR departments, digital departments
Tip-Pooling: What, When & Why?
When: Wednesday, May 29 1:15PM-2PM
Where: General Seminar Room 1 – 317A
Speaker: Clayton Kamida, President and CEO of Hawaii Employers Council
About: When you work in the service business industry, tips are a regular part of your day. Learn from the head of the Hawaii Employers Council effective methods for tip-pooling (or sharing) as well as some of the best gratuity strategies for your industry.
Who Should Attend? Business owners, restaurant owners, food and beverage managers
Creating a Work Culture Focused on Food Safety
When: Wednesday, May 29 2:15PM – 3PM
Where: General Seminar Room 1 – 317A
Speaker: Peter B Food Safety
About: Proper safety training is a critical component for food handlers, who continue to rank at the top of the list of food safety risk factors. Through this 45-minute seminar, business owners and managers will better understand effective strategies to ensure their staff embraces food safety practices.
Who Should Attend? Food and beverage staff and managers, business owners
Sysco 2019 Hospitality Industry Trends
When: Wednesday, May 29 3:15PM – 4PM
Where: General Seminar Room – 317A
Speaker: Chef Jackie Lau & Chef Matt Alleshouse
About: As the leading wholesale foodservice distributor in the Pacific region, HFM FoodService is the only broadline foodservice distributor in the Hawaiian Islands, offering next-day deliveries from food-grade distribution centers on all four of the major Hawaiian Islands, as well as on Guam. We bring the finest quality groceries and supplies to restaurants, schools, hotels and resorts, as well as other institutions who prepare meals away from home. Now part of the Sysco ‘ohana of foodservice companies, our team continues to honor its local roots and is committed to providing the same exceptional level of service you’ve come to expect. Growing stronger together, we are confident that the combined strengths of Sysco and HFM will further enhance our ability to be your most valued and trusted business partner.
Who Should Attend? Food and beverage staff and managers, small-business owners, clients of Sysco
KA HUINA: The Intersection of Tradition and Innovation in Hawaiian Culture & Tourism
When: Wednesday, May 29 10:00AM-11:00AM
Where: General Seminar Room 2 – 317B
Speaker: John De Fries, Executive Director Native Hawaiian Hospitality Industry
About: The Hawaiian term ka huina means “the intersection or nexus.” As such, this workshop examines bold initiatives within the tourism industry and our communities. Four general topic areas will be addressed: 1) Hawaii on the world stage; 2) the evolution of cultural representation; 3) the stewardship of cultural treasures; and 4) 2019: International Year of Indigenous Languages.
Who Should Attend? Travel industry executives, senior managers and supervisors, and those interested in the present and future of Hawaii and its culture.
Building Your Brand Through Social Media and Digital Marketing
When: Wednesday, May 29 11:15AM-12:15PM
Where: General Seminar Room 2 – 317B
Speaker:
- Darrell Chock, Founder, @hawaiisbestkitchens @hawaiisbestbars
- Patrick Ahler, Founder, Lights on Digital
- Monchalee Ota, Founder, Nimbus Unlimited
About: Gain valuable insight into online marketing strategies that will add brand value to your business and make it stand out among the competition. By improving your online presence, you’ll be able to reach an untold number of new customers both here and abroad.
Who Should Attend? Business owners, restaurant owners, marketing professionals
How to Get the Most of Your Online Reviews
When: Wednesday, May 29 12:45AM-1:30PM
Where: General Seminar Room 2 – 317B
Speaker: John Carrol Sr., Brand Evangelist Yelp
About: Nine out of 10 consumers turn to review sites to determine if they will use the services of local businesses. Master how to set your operation apart and discover why responding to online reviews is beneficial in the long run.
Who Should Attend? Business owners, restaurant owners, food and beverage managers
Tips on Negotiating Restaurant Leases
When: Wednesday, May 29 2:00PM-2:45PM
Where: General Seminar Room 2 – 317B
Speaker: Chenise K. Iwamasa, Esq., Principal Attorney, Ziva Law LLLC
About: Restaurant leases present a unique set of challenges involving issues not found in other types of commercial lease agreements. Failure to address these issues can lead to costly problems down the road. This workshop identifies restaurant-specific leasing issues and provides tips to help commercial tenants negotiate better restaurant leases.
Who Should Attend? Restaurant owners and restaurant managers
Recycling for Life: The Need in Hawaii - Part 1
When: Wednesday, May 29 10AM-10:45AM
Speaker: Paul Tower, Island Commodities
Where: Sustainability Seminar Room – 319A
About: Hawaii has the opportunity to be a model of state sustainability. Learn how the 50th State recycles, the current situation of food waste and energy landscape, and how population projections and tourism impact this.
Who Should Attend? Business owners, restaurant owners, food and beverage managers.
ROI on Going Green
When: Wednesday, May 29 11:15AM-12:15AM
Where: Sustainability Seminar Room – 319A
Speakers:
- Rafael Bergstrom, Executive Director at Sustainable Coastlines Hawai’i
- Nicole Chatterson, Director of Zero Waste Oahu
- Nicole Brody, Green Current Hawaii
- Kahi Pacarro, PARLEY TV
- Hailey Berkey, The Nook Honolulu
About: Going Green can mean saving a lot of green for your business. By focusing on sustainable business practices, you’ll create healthy returns on your investment while becoming a standout steward for your community.
Who Should Attend? Business owners, business professionals
Sunscreen Symposium
When: Wednesday, May 29 12:30PM-1:15PM
Where: Sustainability Seminar Room – 319A
Speaker: Robin Van Niekerk, Kokua Sunscreen
About: Learn about Hawaii’s sunscreen ban from leaders in space and why supporting sustainable brands is necessary to change visitor behavior and save Hawaii’s coral reefs.
Who Should Attend? Hospitality industry staff
Sustainability Programs for Hawaii Hotels
When: Wednesday, May 29 1:30PM-2:00PM
Where: Sustainability Seminar Room – 319A
Speaker: Natalie McKinney, Executive Director Kokua Foundation
About: Take an environmentally strong stand and be a part of Kokua Foundation’s Plastic Free Hawaii Hotel program, which seeks the reduction of single-use plastics from guest rooms, pools, bars, restaurants and more. A spokesperson from the foundation will offer tips on how you and others in the hospitality industry can help reduce our plastic footprint while protecting our waterways and wildlife.
Who Should Attend? Hospitality industry
Samsung/Pacific DirectConnect’s Hotel Room of Your Future
When: Wednesday, May 29 10AM-5PM
Where: Hotel Room of Your Future – 318A
This Room is brought to you by: Samsung Networks, Pacific DirectConnect, Inc., Corning Optical Communications, Percipia, Inc., Pure HD, Engineered Lifestyles, InnQuest
About:Pacific DirectConnect Inc, Hawaii’s leader in hotel guest facing technology, is pleased to team up with Samsung Networks this year in presenting “The Hotel Room of Your Future”. They have built vendor relationships with several key industry leaders that will take the headache out of designing technology and making it a reality for today’s decision makers. Stop by any time through out the day to see the Hotel Room of Your Future.
Tech Pavilion & Product Show
When: Wednesday, May 29 10AM-5PM
Where: 318B
About: Explore new & exciting developments in technology and new products to increase your productivity and business!
Food Safety Handling Course by State Department of Health
When: Wednesday, May 29 10AM-12PM
Where: HHRS Room 319B
Speaker: Dennis Loo, State Department of Health
About: The state Department of Health, Food Safety Program is offering a free certificate class on safe food handling practices. A certificate is earned by attending class and passing a test. The Certificate that is earned will meet the 2017 requirement** of Chapter 50 Food Safety Code. The class also helps attendees understand and implement sanitary requirements for proper food preparation, handling and storage. **11-50-20c. Food Protection Certification.
Who Should Attend? Food and beverage staff, attendees interested in receiving food handling certification
May 30, 2019
The Future of Media Consumption (And How to Keep Up With It) Part 2
When: Thursday, May 30 10AM-10:30AM
Where: General Seminar Room 1 – 317A
Speaker: Derek Honma, Spectrum Reach
About: The daily bombardment of information from various media can be overwhelming, but there’s a smart way to harness all this data and grow your business while still serving your marketing goals. Check out this 30-minute seminar and discover the most successful ways of reaching customers through hyper-targeting your audience and maximizing your advertising budget.
Who Should Attend? Small-business owners, HR departments, general managers, business owners, marketing professionals.
The Lifecycle of a (Slightly Dysfunctional) Licensee
When: Thursday, May 30 10AM-10:45AM
Speaker: Anna Hirai, Honolulu Liquor Commission
About: Learn the latest updates and rules from the Honolulu Liquor Commission. Attendees will learn and gain clarification on commonly missed, cited, overlooked regulations as well as updates on upcoming rule modifications.
Who Should Attend? Small-business owners, general managers, business owners, marketing professionals, digital departments
Common Cyber Security Attacks Against the Hospitality Industry
When: Thursday, May 30 12PM-12:45PM
Where: General Seminar Room 1 – 317A
Speaker: Matt Freeman, Directory of Information Security, Hawaiian Telcom
About: From credit card transaction data to sensitive customer information, the data that businesses in the Hospitality Industry houses can be tempting to hackers. Over the course of this 45-minute seminar, attendees will learn about the most common forms of cyber attacks against the industry, how they work, and what impacts they can have on a business. Most importantly, attendees will learn how to prevent these types of attacks and protect themselves and their customers from vulnerability.
Who Should Attend? Small-business owners, general managers, business owners, IT managers
How to Get the Most of Your Online Reviews
When: Thursday, May 30 1:15PM-2PM
Where: General Seminar Room 1 – 317A
Speaker: John Carrol Sr., Brand Evangelist Yelp
About: Nine out of 10 consumers turn to review sites to determine if they will use the services of local businesses. Master how to set your operation apart and discover why responding to online reviews is beneficial in the long run.
Who Should Attend? Business owners, restaurant owners, food and beverage managers
HART Transportation Update for the Hospitality Industry
When: Thursday, May 30 2:15PM-3PM
Where: General Seminar Room 1 – 317A
Speaker: CEO, H.A.R.T.
About: During this 45-minute seminar and Q&A session, a Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation, or HART, representative will provide the latest information about the 20-mile-long, 21-station rail transit system, discuss its benefits — especially for Waikiki workers — provide an estimated time of completion to Ala Moana Center, and talk about the HOLO card’s (smart card/pass) integration between the bus and rail systems.
Who Should Attend? Business owners, hospitality industry
Sysco 2019 Hospitality Industry Trends
When: Thursday, May 30 3:15PM – 4PM
Where: General Seminar Room 1 – 317A
Speakers: Chef Jackie Lau & Chef Matthew Alleshouse
About: As the leading wholesale foodservice distributor in the Pacific region, HFM FoodService is the only broadline foodservice distributor in the Hawaiian Islands, offering next-day deliveries from food-grade distribution centers on all four of the major Hawaiian Islands, as well as on Guam. We bring the finest quality groceries and supplies to restaurants, schools, hotels and resorts, as well as other institutions who prepare meals away from home. Now part of the Sysco ‘ohana of foodservice companies, our team continues to honor its local roots and is committed to providing the same exceptional level of service you’ve come to expect. Growing stronger together, we are confident that the combined strengths of Sysco and HFM will further enhance our ability to be your most valued and trusted business partner.
Who Should Attend? Food and beverage staff and managers, small-business owners, clients of Sysco
Building Your Brand Through Social Media and Digital Marketing
When: Thursday, May 30 12:15PM-1:15PM
Where: General Seminar Room 2 – 317B
Speaker:
- Darrell Chock, Founder, @hawaiisbestkitchens @hawaiisbestbars
- Patrick Ahler, Founder, Lights on Digital
- Monchalee Ota, Founder, Nimbus Unlimited
About: Gain valuable insight into online marketing strategies that will add brand value to your business and make it stand out among the competition. By improving your online presence, you’ll be able to reach an untold number of new customers both here and abroad.
Who Should Attend? Business owners, restaurant owners, marketing professionals
Hawaii Occupational Safety Survival 101
When: Wednesday, May 30 1:30PM-2:15PM
Where: General Seminar Room 2 – 317B
Speaker: Alan K. Yamamoto, HIOSH Consultation Project Manager
About: If HIOSH showed up at your door tomorrow, how confident are you in your Safety & Health Program? Learn about the types of inspections/investigations the HIOSH Enforcement Branch is conducting, who they’re targeting, what to expect during an inspection/investigation, how much it could end up costing you, tips for getting through an inspection/investigation, and the free and confidential resources that are available to help you comply with HIOSH’s safety and health rules.
Who Should Attend? Business owners, restaurant owners, food and beverage managers
Recycling for Life: Achievable Goals - Part 2
When: Thursday, May 30 10:00AM-10:45AM
Where: Sustainability Seminar Room – 319A
Speaker: Paul Tower, Island Commodities
About: Get a background briefing on waste disposal and uncover more about collection and future options that benefit local farmers and enhance local food supply. Attendees will also grasp the steps to protect Hawaii’s environment and develop a deeper commitment to sustainability.
Who Should Attend? Business owners, restaurant owners, food and beverage managers.
What Makes Wild Hawaii Seafood Sustainable?
When: Thursday, May 30 11:00AM – 11:45AM
Where: Sustainability Seminar Room – 319A
Speaker: John Kaneko, Hawaii Seafood Council
About: Join a representative from the Hawaii Seafood Council and discover the path that seafood — an important part of many of our diets — has taken to arrive at our plates. Digest the latest news on the subject and learn about businesses committed to implementing more sustainable practices for sourcing seafood.
Who Should Attend? Those interested in learning more about how seafood makes it to our plate.
Sustainable Packaging
When: Thursday, May 30 12:00PM – 12:45PM
Where: Sustainability Seminar Room – 319A
Speaker: Ari Patz, Sustainable Island Products
About: Learn about waste management and how to perform a waste audit for your company. Waste audits give businesses the opportunity to identify opportunities for improving current waste management system. Learn the best waste management practices and how to perform a waste audit from the experts.
Who Should Attend? Business professionals interested in sustainability
Understanding Waste Stream Audits & Collection Alternatives
When: Thursday, May 30 1:00PM – 1:45PM
Where: Sustainability Seminar Room – 319A
Speaker: Premium Inc.
About: Learn about waste management and how to perform a waste audit for your company. Waste audits give businesses the opportunity to identify opportunities for improving current waste management system. Learn the best waste management practices and how to perform a waste audit from the experts.
Who Should Attend? Business professionals interested in sustainability
Sustainability Initiatives in the Tourism Industry
When: Thursday, May 30 2:00PM – 2:45PM
Where: Sustainability Seminar Room – 319A
Speaker: Andrea Fehring, C&S Sales
About: Find out about the tourism industry’s new sustainability initiatives and how they impact you.
Who Should Attend? Hospitality industry, Business owners, business professionals interested in sustainability
Samsung/Pacific DirectConnect’s Hotel Room of Your Future
When: Wednesday, May 30 10AM-5PM
Where: Hotel Room of Your Future – 318A
This Room is brought to you by: Samsung Networks, Pacific DirectConnect, Inc., Corning Optical Communications, Percipia, Inc., Pure HD, Engineered Lifestyles, InnQuest
About: Pacific DirectConnect Inc, Hawaii’s leader in hotel guest facing technology, is pleased to team up with Samsung Networks this year in presenting “The Hotel Room of Your Future”. They have built vendor relationships with several key industry leaders that will take the headache out of designing technology and making it a reality for today’s decision makers. Stop by any time through out the day to see the Hotel Room of Your Future.
Tech Pavilion & Product Show
When: Wednesday, May 29 10AM-5PM
Where: 318B
About: Explore new & exciting developments in technology and new products to increase your productivity and business!