HONOLULU
AEG Facilities, which will assume management of the Hawaii Convention Center Jan. 1, 2014, has named Teri Orton as General Manager of the 1.1-million-square-foot facility located at the entrance to Waikiki, Oahu. She will join AEG on December 18.
Prior to accepting the position, Orton was Vice President of Condominium Resort Marketing for Outrigger Enterprises Group, which consists of 16 properties across the Hawaiian Islands.
“Teri’s dynamic leadership skills, ability to motivate teams and proficiency in the hospitality arena combined with her experience and deep understanding of the destination make her the ideal person to oversee this great facility,” Brad Gessner, Vice President of Convention Centers, AEG Facilities, said.
In her new role, Orton will oversee all overall management of the Hawaii Convention Center, including sales and marketing, operations, finance, food and beverage and customer service, while implementing the strategic positioning and marketing plans for the facility in conjunction with the Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA), Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau (HVCB), and the Meet Hawaii team.
“We are very fortunate to have found in Teri an individual born and raised in the Islands with outstanding travel industry credentials and a passionate belief in the strength and marketability of Hawaii as a meetings destination,” Mike McCartney, HTA’s president and CEO, said.
Orton’s 17 years of hospitality experience includes posts as hotel general manager, director of sales and marketing and other management roles with Outrigger Enterprises Group, Embassy Suites, The Ilikai, W Diamond Head, Sheraton Princess Kaiulani and the Huntington Beach Hilton Resort.
She majored in communications at the University of Hawaii – Windward Campus and advanced her training in hospitality management through various certifications with Starwood and Hilton Hotels. Orton has also been a member of the Waikiki Roundtable Committee for two years and the Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International’s (HSMAI) membership committee chair for two years.
AEG Facilities has more than 20 years of experience in the management of convention centers, as well as arenas, stadiums and other facilities. The company offers a network of elite worldwide convention centers, all of which have a similar look and feel to Hawaii’s convention center.
AEG takes over the management of the Honolulu center from SMG, which has run the venue since it opened in 1998.
