Meetings Today LIVE! Hawai'i Kicks Off at Hilton Waikoloa Village

Taylor Smith
Waterfall

Attendees from all over flew into Kailua-Kona, Hawai'i, this week for Meetings Today LIVE! Hawai'i 2023, and the event is officially underway. Our host hotel, Hilton Waikoloa Village, greeted attendees with authentic Hawaiian leis and front-row seats to a dolphin show before planners boarded one of the resort's four electric duffy boats for a site visit. 

Hilton Waikoloa Village is one of the only hotels in the world that transports guests around the 63-acre property via monorail and boats, said Simon Amos, hotel manager at Hilton Waikoloa Village. When guests are on the property, there's truly no need to leave. 

Following an exciting afternoon, attendees gathered within the resort's 66,000 square feet of indoor meeting space for dinner with a menu highlighting local fare like Hawaiian paella. Entertainment for the evening included authentic Hawaiian hula and fire dancers.

Take a look at a few highlights from the opening reception at Meetings Today LIVE! Hawai'i 2023. 

 

Meetings Today LIVE! Hawai'i 2023 Opening Reception

Waterfall at Hilton Waikoloa Village

A view of the waterfall and lagoon at Hilton Waikoloa Village, the host hotel for Meetings Today LIVE! Hawai'i 2023.

Credit: Keith Uehara Photography
Dolphins at Hilton Waikoloa Village

Dolphins at Hilton Waikoloa Village put on a show for attendees at Meetings Today LIVE! Hawai'i 2023. The resort's oldest dolphin is 52 years old.

Credit: Keith Uehara Photography
Planners taking a boat tour of Hilton Waikoloa Village

Planners taking a tour of Hilton Waikoloa Village on one of the resort's four electric duffy boats for Meetings Today LIVE! Hawai'i 2023.

Credit: Keith Uehara Photography
Opening Reception at Hilton Waikoloa Village

Planners gather at Hilton Waikoloa Village during the opening reception for Meetings Today LIVE! Hawai'i 2023.

Credit: Keith Uehara Photography
The Meetings Today team at Hilton Waikoloa Village

The Meetings Today team and Hawaiian partners pose for a photo at Hilton Waikoloa Village during Meetings Today LIVE! Hawai'i 2023.

Credit: Keith Uehara Photography
Dancers perform the traditional Hawaiian hula at Hilton Waikoloa Village

Dancers perform the traditional Hawaiian hula, often accompanied by chant or song, at Hilton Waikoloa Village for Meetings Today LIVE! Hawai'i 2023.

Credit: Keith Uehara Photography
Fire dancers at Hilton Waikoloa Village

Fire dancers at Hilton Waikoloa Village perform for Meetings Today LIVE! Hawai'i 2023.

Credit: Keith Uehara Photography
Hilton Waikoloa Village Sunset

A view of the sunset over the lagoon at Hilton Waikoloa Village.

Credit: Keith Uehara Photography
The Meetings Today team at Hilton Waikoloa Village

The Meetings Today team and Hawaiian partners pose for a photo at Hilton Waikoloa Village during Meetings Today LIVE! Hawai'i 2023.

Credit: Keith Uehara Photography
A hula dancer at Hilton Waikoloa Village

A traditional Hawaiian hula dancer at Hilton Waikoloa Village performing for Meetings Today LIVE! Hawai'i 2023.

Credit: Keith Uehara Photography

Meetings Today LIVE! Hawai'i 2023 - Day One

Group Photo at Meetings Today LIVE! Hawai'i

Attendees pose for a photo at Mauna Lani, Auberge Resorts Collection during Meetings Today LIVE! Hawai'i 2023. 

Credit: Keith Uehara Photography
Parfaits

Individual yogurt parfaits with local honey and housemade granola were served for breakfast at Hilton Waikoloa Village for day one of Meetings Today LIVE! Hawai'i 2023.

Credit: Keith Uehara Photography
Breakfast at Hilton Waikoloa Village

Attendees gathered at the bottom of Hilton Waikoloa Village's grand staircase for breakfast and an early morning dolphin show at Meetings Today LIVE! Hawai'i 2023.

Credit: Keith Uehara Photography
Kainoa Daines (HVCB)

Kainoa Daines, senior director of brand for the Hawai'i Visitors and Convention Bureau, delivering an educational session about cultural sustainability at Hilton Waikoloa Village for Meetings Today LIVE! Hawai'i 2023.

Credit: Keith Uehara Photography
Chefs prepare lunch at Fairmont Orchid Hotel

Cooks prepare lunch for Meetings Today LIVE! Hawai'i attendees at Fairmont Orchid Hotel. 

Credit: Keith Uehara Photography
Lunch at Fairmont Orchid

Lunch at Fairmont Orchid Hotel showcased meals from four of the resort's onsite dining locations.

Credit: Keith Uehara Photography
Planners at Fairmont Orchid

Planners depart Fairmont Orchid Hotel following a lunch showcasing the property's dining options during Meetings Today LIVE! Hawai'i 2023.

Credit: Keith Uehara Photography
Dinner at Mauna Lani with Sunset

A view of the sunset during dinner at Mauna Lani, Auberge Resorts Collection for Meetings Today LIVE! Hawai'i 2023.

Credit: Keith Uehara Photography
Dinner at Mauna Lani

Table settings at Mauna Lani, Auberge Resorts Collection for Meetings Today LIVE! Hawai'i 2023. 

Credit: Keith Uehara Photography
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About the author
Taylor Smith | Content Developer, Destinations and Features

Taylor Smith joined Meetings Today magazine in May 2022 as a content developer, destinations and features and is the face behind the publication's column, "The Z: Planning for the Industry's Next Generation," which explores how to welcome, work with, understand and plan for the industry’s next wave of professionals, Gen Z. In addition to writing about the meetings and events industry’s newest and youngest members, Smith also covers top and trending meetings destinations as well as topics including wellness, sustainability, incentives, new and renovated properties and industry trends for Meetings Today.

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