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On the heels what was deemed a very successful convention at the SMG-managed, Hawaii Convention Center in Honolulu, the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) have already decided to returned. The world’s largest food doctor organization—which held their largest annual event, the National 2008 APMA Annual Scientific Meeting at the Hawaii Convention Center in July—recently announced that they will once again hold their annual meeting at the Hawaii Convention Center in 2014 and again in 2021. 

“Our annual meeting experience this summer in Honolulu was tremendous,” said Ross Taubman, DPM, APMA president. “The city is such a unique destination, offering not only sun, surf and sand, but also a first class convention center.”

According to projections from the Hawaii Convention Center, approximately 3,000+ attended the convention. With studies indicating that most meeting attendees coming to the destination spend extra days (average stays are believed to be about eight days) either before or after the event Hawaii Convention Center estimates that—that more than 28,000 total rooms were booked, statewide spending was over $16.5 million generating more than $1.6 million in statewide tax revenue.  

“We are extremely pleased that the APMA has agreed to utilize our facility for the future,” said Joe Davis, General Manager of the Hawaii Convention Center. “This is a true testimony that the Hawaii Convention Center is a world-class facility providing the best services that make groups like the APMA want to return.”

Established in 1912, the American Podiatric Medical Association is the premier professional organization representing the nation’s Doctors of Podiatric Medicine (podiatrists). The APMA represents a vast majority of the estimated 15,000 podiatrists in the country. Within APMA’s umbrella of organizations are 53 component societies in states and other jurisdictions, as well as 22 affiliated and related societies.

In related news, during the convention, the American Podiatric Medical Association announced that it placed Honolulu in the Top 10 of  best cities in the nation for walking and presented Mufi Hannemann, mayor of the City & County of Honolulu with a special award during the s  2008 Annual Scientific Meeting held at the Hawai‘i Convention Center.   “This is a great city, great island, and a great state,” said Taubman.  “Honolulu is one of the nation’s best, most walkable cities and I can honestly say that I’ve been doing a lot of walking and enjoying it tremendously since I arrived.”

Honolulu was ranked seventh in the study that was compiled by the APMA, which looked at nearly 500 cities from across the country, judging them on more than 13 walking-conducive criteria.  A panel of experts, comprised of city planners and pedestrian coordinators, also reviewed the cities from their individual perspectives.
“We were very proud that the APMA not only chose Honolulu to play host to their annual meeting, but to also recognize it as one of the best cities in the nation for walking was a tremendous honor,” added Davis.

With future shows already booked, it’s apparent that the foot doctors are eager to stroll in the 50th state again. Taubman added, “Our members are already looking forward to 2014 and 2021!”