Page 4 - Hawaii Island MidWeek - March 22, 2023

4 HAWAI‘I ISLAND MIDWEEK MARCH 22, 2023
Among the participants at the Hawai‘i Hotel & Restaurant Show will be (from left) Jean-Paul Gedeon, John Elkjer, Ted Davenport and John Erickson.
A range of robots will be unveiled at this year’s show, all capable of performing functions such as bussing tables. PHOTO COURTESY USA ROBOTICS SERVICES
overcame the incredible challenges of the past year.” This year’s event will feature a number of lead- ers in the sustainability, innovation and promotion spheres. Here’s a look at four of these local busi- ness owners and what their representatives have to say about the upcoming Ha- wai‘i Hotel & Restaurant
Show.
S T O R Y B Y
GINGER KELLER
PHOTOS BY
ANTHONY CONSILLIO
Industry experts are coming up big with new products and opportunities at this year’s Hawai‘i Hotel & Restaurant Show.
rant Association and Star Events, a division of Oʻahu Publications Inc., the two- day event not only boasts nearly a hundred vendors, but educational seminars covering topics such as sustainability, water con- servation and occupational safety from city and state officials, too. Meanwhile, a silent auction — featuring items like tickets to profes- sional football games, air- fare, hotel stays and more — will also be in full swing, with the funds going toward HLTA’s popular scholarship program.
Jean-Paul Gedeon, CEO
is busy,” echos Jason Wong, regional president of Sysco Hawaiʻi, a sponsor of the event. “The show gives the operators time to really step back and take a moment to look at new innovations, products and technologies that can really help grow their businesses. Taking time to work on the business is something that we all want to do but getting to do that doesn’t always happen. This show is the perfect op- portunity to do it.”
If asked to describe Hawaiʻi in only a few words, most people would likely mention the sun, sea, surf and aloha spir- it. But Mufi Hannemann, president and CEO of Ha- wai‘i Lodging & Tourism Association, wants to add one more word to the list.
waiʻi Convention Center. Now in its third year, the highly anticipated trade show hosts experts in the hospitality industry who will exhibit the latest and greatest in their respective fields.
and co-founder of JPG Ha- waiʻi (see more on page 5), recalls the buzzing energy he felt in the room at previ- ous shows.
Over the past few years, local restaurants have faced challenges not even a pro like Ted
“We’re a great place to not only come and vacation, but to do business, too,” he says.
“We want to demonstrate that Hawaiʻi can be a major place to host a show of this kind because usually you have to go to the mainland or Asia,” says Hannemann. “This is our attempt at being the premier hospitality and restaurant trade show in the Pacific region.”
“I love seeing people in the industry because all of our business is built on re- lationships,” shares the Ha- waiʻi Kai native. “We’ll get to see our friends, clients and even our competitors.
Mike Rompel, franchise owner and pizza maker at Domino’s Hawaiʻi, another event sponsor, adds, “Dom- ino’s Hawaiʻi always sup- ports the Hawaiʻi Hotel & Restaurant Show, as it is our one show a year that helps us connect with innovation and vendors specifically for our industry. The show allows us to provide lunch for our peers and give fist bumps to all of those that
Davenport
could’ve
prepared
for. And
because
h e ’ s n o t
the type to
sit around
and wait for the problem to fix itself, the veteran restau-
One way he hopes to put the state on the map is through the upcoming Ha- waiʻi Hotel & Restaurant Show, slated for 9 a.m.-5 p.m. March 22-23 at Ha-
“I love when people roll up and show up their best because that’s when you get to learn the most about everyone, and, at the same time, we get to show off what we’ re doing.”
Ted Davenport
A partnership between HLTA, Hawaiʻi Restau-
“Everyone in our industry
SEE PAGE 5