Host with the Most

The Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation, or APEC, is an annual forum for Asia-Pacific economies to discuss regional trade and investment issues – it’s among the largest intergovernmental meetings in the world. When Hawaii hosted the event, it drew more than 10,000 people to Honolulu, including heads of state, cabinet ministers, business executives and the leaders of the World Bank and World Trade Organization.

Carlsmith Ball was engaged as legal counsel to advise the Hawaii Host Committee with the formation, structure, and governance of a range of policies – from operational to conflict of interest and spending. These policies ensured that contributions were prudently spent on reasonable costs obtained through a competitive procurement and contracting process.

In addition, Carlsmith assisted the Hawaii Host Committee with volunteer coordination, transportation and logistics, community and neighbor island involvement, marketing, public relations, cultural awareness, meetings, receptions, and security, liability and insurance issues.

The firm also supported the development of a comprehensive operations manual to memorialize the multi-faceted efforts undertaken by the volunteer host committee, including economic impact assessments that demonstrated the benefits to Hawaii’s economy arising from meetings and conventions such as APEC.