Honolulu, June 16, 2020 – While the Hawai‘i Convention Center remains closed to the public following State of Hawai‘i COVID-19 pandemic restrictions, it is working with state agencies to provide space for important services such as unemployment claims processing and vote counting.

Since April the Hawai‘i Convention Center has served as a temporary satellite location for the Hawai‘i Department of Labor and Industrial Relations to process unemployment insurance claims. While this location is not open to the public, volunteer personnel and staff are using socially distanced workstations to process a record number of unemployment claims. The Center has worked in coordination with the Hawai‘i Army National Guard to ensure volunteers and staff are wearing the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) and are having their temperatures and security credentials checked upon entry.

“Our ballroom and exhibit halls provide ample space to follow social distancing measures recommended by the CDC to ensure the health and safety of our guests and employees,” said Teri Orton, general manager of the Hawai‘i Convention Center, managed by ASM Global. “While all public events previously scheduled during this time are either postponed or cancelled, we are pleased to continue to serve Hawai‘i.”

From July through November the State of Hawai‘i’s Office of Elections will use a portion of the Center’s exhibit hall space as a temporary vote counting center, with more than 200 volunteers and staff expected to participate.

The Center is also conducting improvements, repairs and upgrades throughout the building, allowing for the expedited completion of maintenance projects and the implementation of new safety protocols without disrupting meetings and events.
The health and safety of guests and employees are the Center’s top priority. The Center has developed safety guidelines and protocols in response to COVID-19 and continues to follow the guidance of public health officials.

Updates will be posted to the Center’s schedule at HawaiiConvention.com.

About the Hawai‘i Convention Center

“Where Business and Aloha Meet,” the 1.1 million-square-foot Hawai‘i Convention Center provides a spacious, modern and flexible meeting space in the heart of Honolulu – all with an award-winning team and renowned aloha spirit. Conveniently located between East and West, the Center is a global leader for a diverse array of meetings and events, just steps from 30,000 hotel rooms in iconic Waikiki. The Center is a state-owned facility opened in 1998, and is managed by ASM Global. For more, visit HawaiiConvention.com.

About ASM Global

ASM Global was formed from the merger of AEG Facilities and SMG in October 2019, creating a venue management powerhouse that spans five continents, 14 countries and more than 300 of the world’s most prestigious arenas, stadiums, convention and exhibit centers, and performing arts venues. To learn more about ASM Global and the exciting new ways we can serve you, visit ASMGlobal.com.

 

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