Hawaii's suitability as a venue for international meetings, business and technology is all too often over shadowed by its more common reputation as a resort destination. While known for its natural beauty and temperate climate, Hawaii hosts many successful technical meetings and conferences throughout the year. Past international technology conferences and meetings include IETF, INET 95, WebNet 99, GOIN 99, and the combined Internet2 Joint Techs/APAN Workshops. Major annual international conferences based in the islands include the Pacific Telecommunications Council (PTC) Conference and the Hawaii International Conference on Systems Sciences (HICSS). IEEE and ACM groups meet regularly in Hawaii.

Hawaii has quietly evolved into an international business center and is now recognized as the "Crossroads of the Pacific." Uniquely positioned between the largest economies of East and West, Hawaii's strategic location allows business people with partners and customers in New York, Tokyo, Hong Kong, and Singapore to communicate in the same day. With a large percentage of the major transpacific fiber optic cable landing in the islands, a major research University, and a variety of new tax incentives for high tech business, Hawaii is emerging as a significant telecommunications and technology hub in the Pacific.

WWW2002 will be held in Honolulu's Waikiki district, the most visited destination in the islands. In addition to one of the world' s most famous beaches, Waikiki has over 30,000 hotel rooms with prices to suit every traveler. Hundreds of restaurants offer ethnic choices and ambience ranging from fine dining to fast food. Convenient airline service to and from the islands with 23 major airlines servicing Honolulu International Airport ensures surprisingly competitive airfare costs. Once in Honolulu, trolleys, shuttles, taxis, rental cars and Hawaii's public transportation system make getting around easy.

Useful links:

• Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau
• Sheraton Waikiki Hotel (WWW2002 meeting site)
• Why meet in Hawaii?